Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Thursday January 27, 2022 at 5:00 PM

Location

Zoom:       https://us02web.zoom.us/j/147466498?pwd=MnB5Vkc4aG41OEZ1dDdtcWoxQjV0dz09
 
OR 
 
Dial-In: (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 147 466 498, Passcode: 133043
 
Two-way Teleconference Location: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278.
ECS Board Members                              Term   and    End Date    
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President..................3 years June 30, 2022
Mr. Ken Deemer, Vice President.............3 years June 30, 2022
Dr. Denise Berger, Secretary...................3 years  June 30, 2023
Ms. Zena Fong........................................2 year June 30, 2023
Ms. Jenina Ramirez.................................3 years June 30, 2024
Dr. Madhu Chatwani................................3 years June 30, 2023
Mr. Kennedy Hilario.................................3 years June 30, 2023
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative, Rotating Position      

ECS Staff   
Ms. Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Chief Academic Officer/Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Alison Diaz, Director of Growth and Sustainability (Facilities)
Ms. Kami Cotler, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Director of Principal Development/Principal Coach
Ms. KC Fabiero, Principal at ECHS-Lawndale
Dr. Geneva Matthews, Principal at ECMS-Inglewood
Mr. Dave Trejo, Principal at ECMS-Gardena
Dr. Cindy Guardado, Principal at ECHS-Gardena  

Mission:

Reimagine public education in low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers who are equipped to graduate from college and create a more equitable and sustainable world.

Values:

JUSTICE - We examine bias, racism, and prejudice. We deliver culturally-responsive curricula. We succeed when students’ race and class cease to predict their level of achievement.

COMMUNITY - We care. We collaborate. We respect the rights and voices of our stakeholders.

CURIOSITY - We question. We explore. We innovate.

SUSTAINABILITY - We think globally and act locally. We adapt. We encourage systems thinking to create a sustainable future.

LEADERSHIP - We listen. We think critically. We advocate. We shift public discourse. We are our own superheroes.

THE ORDER OF BUSINESS MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the order of consideration of matters on this agenda may be changed without prior notice.

PUBLIC SPEAKERS AT BOARD MEETINGS
Notice is hereby given that consistent with the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, special presentations not mentioned in the agenda may be made at this meeting.  However, any such presentation will be for information only. The public should be aware that the Board is unable by law to deliberate or take action on items raised during the Presentations from the Floor section.

Environmental Charter Schools recognizes that it benefits greatly from public input and perspective. Individuals are invited to address the Board on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Environmental Charter School's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Board meeting by turning in a Speaker Form (available at the check-in table in English and Spanish).

Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters not listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of three (3) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Board allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Board's presiding officer.

Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of five (5) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).

The public should be aware that the Board is unable by law to deliberate or take action on items raised during the Presentations from the Floor section.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY
Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting of the Governing Board may request assistance by contacting ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.

Directors Present

Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Dr. Madhu Chatwani (remote), Jenina Ramirez (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative (remote), Zena Fong (remote)

Directors Absent

Ken Deemer

Guests Present

Alison Diaz (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Jennifer Fenton (remote), Jeremiah David (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Anthony Jowid called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Thursday Jan 27, 2022 at 5:04 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the agenda.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Ken Deemer
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

D.

Opener

Tabled.

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items

None.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

None.

III. Reports/Discussions

A.

21/22 Strategic Priorities Benchmark Chart Review

Tabled.

B.

Health and Safety Update

Director of Health & Safety Jen Fenton presented the ECS COVID Safety Measures slides.

C.

ECMS-Gardena Proposed Park Expansion

Director of Growth & Sustainability Alison Diaz presented the ECMS-G Proposed Park Expansion slides along with Facilities Committee members Anthony Jowid and Jenina Ramirez.

IV. Consent Items A-I

A.

Approve minutes for 12/9/2021 ECS Board Meeting

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 12-09-21.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye

B.

Approve minutes for 1/21/2022 ECS Special Facilities Committee meeting

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Facilities Committee Meeting on 01-21-22.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

C.

Approve Board Resolution 2021-2022 #2 - Authorizing Remote Board Meetings

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve Board Resolution 2021-2022 #2 - Authorizing Remote Board Meetings.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

D.

Approve revised ECS Board & Committee Calendar 2021-2022

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve revised ECS Board & Committee Calendar 2021-2022.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye

E.

Approve revised ECMS-G & ECHS-L Parent Student Handbooks 2021-2022

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve ONLY revised ECMS-G Parent-Student Handbook 2021-2022.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye

F.

Approve School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) for all sites

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) for all sites.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

G.

Approve FY20/21 Audit Report as Recommended by Audit Committee

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve FY20/21 Audit Report as Recommended by Audit Committee.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

H.

Approve Menlo Charter Properties to enter into an agreement to purchase the property at 809-813 W 165th Pl, Gardena, CA 90247 with the understanding that ECMS-Gardena wlll lease this additional space to support its outdoor learning program as recommended by Facilities Committee

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve Menlo Charter Properties to enter into an agreement to purchase the property at 809-813 W 165th Pl, Gardena, CA 90247 with the understanding that ECMS-Gardena wlll lease this additional space to support its outdoor learning program as recommended by Facilities Committee.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

I.

Approve ECMS-Gardena to work with Menlo 165th LLC to renegotiate its current lease agreement to include the property at 809-813 W 165th Pl, Gardena, CA 90247 without increasing its projected yearly rents as recommended by Facilities Committee

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve ECMS-Gardena to work with Menlo 165th LLC to renegotiate its current lease agreement to include the property at 809-813 W 165th Pl, Gardena, CA 90247 without increasing its projected yearly rents as recommended by Facilities Committee.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent

V. Action Item

A.

Approve N-3-22 Written Finding allowing temporary staffing flexibility

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve N-3-22 Written Finding allowing temporary staffing flexibility.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS Board Meeting

B.

Next ECS Committee Meetings

C.

Appreciations

CEO Farnaz Golshani-Flechner appreciated Director of Growth & Sustainability Alison Diaz and Director of Finance Tracy Bondi for their work on the Equitable Facilities Fund refinancing and ECMS-G park expansion projects. Farnaz also appreciated Director of Compliance & Operations Jeremiah David for his work in continuing ECS's successful track record with another clean annual audit. In addition, Dr. Beth Bernstein for her hard work stepping in to serve as ECMS-G's Interim Principal.

 

Board member Kennedy Hilario appreciated all of ECS, reflecting on how proud he is to serve as a board member for an organization that is so equity-driven and progressive thinking.

VII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Zena Fong made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:51 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid