Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Thursday February 24, 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), Ken Deemer (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative (remote), Zena Fong (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

Alison Diaz (remote), Danielle Kelsick (remote), Dave Trejo (remote), Dorothy Lee (remote), Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro (remote), Dr. Cindy Guardado (remote), Dr. Geneva Matthews (remote), Gabriela Villalpando (remote), Jennifer Fenton (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Julie Vo (remote), KC Fabiero (remote), Robert Maxwell (remote), Sarah Jamieson (remote), Tracy Bondi (remote), Travis Collier (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 Feb 24, 2022 at 5:04 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

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.

ECS leadership updates

Chief Executive Officer Farnaz Golshani-Flechner announced California School Finance Authority's approval of the loan and associated bond for the ECHS-G property and ECMS-G park expansion purchases project. This project was detailed in a subsequent agenda update item at this meeting.

B.

Principals updates

Principal KC Fabiero announced her upcoming resignation at ECHS-Lawndale at the end of the school year. Board members and ECS leaders followed with appreciations of her leadership.

 

Principal Dr. Cindy Guardado presented the ECHS-Gardena update slides.

C.

EdTec financial update

EdTec consultant Dorothy Lee presented the EdTec financial update slides.

 

Projected COLA increases over the next years were reviewed. The new ELO-P program and its requirements were discussed. The following changes from previous budget forecasts were detailed:

 

  • ECHS-L: Operating income decreased by $258k
  • ECMS-G: Operating income decreased by $45k
  • ECMS-I: Operating income increased by $111k
  • ECHS-G: Operating income decreased by $25k

D.

Facilities and EFF refinance update

Director of Finance Tracy Bondi presented the Facilities and EFF refinance update:

 

ECS is seeking a loan for the ECHS-G property and ECMS-G park expansion purchases in partnership with lender Equitable Facilities Fund and the California School Finance Authority (CSFA). CSFA approved the associated bond at their public hearing on February 24, after which ECS is planning to close the loan in mid to late March 2022.

E.

LCAP mid-year update

Data Manager Robert Maxwell, Director of Finance Tracy Bondi, and Chief Executive Officer Farnaz Golshani-Flechner presented the LCAP mid-year update slides.

IV. Study Session

A.

21/22 Strategic Priorities Benchmark Chart review

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner presented a brief review of highlights in the 21/22 Strategic Priorities Benchmark Chart.

V. Consent Items A-H

A.

Approve minutes for 1/27/2022 ECS Board Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 01-27-22.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

B.

Approve minutes for 2/18/2022 ECS Finance Committee meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve minutes for 2/18/2022 ECS Finance Committee meeting Finance Committee Meeting on 02-18-22.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye

C.

Approve Board Resolution 2021-2022 #3 - Authorizing Remote Board Meetings

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve Board Resolution 2021-2022 #3 - Authorizing Remote Board Meetings.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

D.

Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

E.

Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

F.

Approve 2021-2022 ECHS-G ESSER III Funds Plan as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2021-2022 ECHS-G ESSER III Funds Plan as recommended by Finance Committee.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

G.

Approve revised ECMS-I Academic Calendar 2021-2022

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

H.

Approve updated Safe Schools Plan for all sites

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

VI. Action Item

A.

Approve CL500 Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators

Zena Fong made a motion to approve CL500 Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators for ECHS-Lawndale, ECMS-Gardena, ECMS-Inglewood, ECHS-Gardena.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.

 

For ECS schools:

  • Environmental Charter High School - Lawndale
  • Environmental Charter Middle School - Gardena
  • Environmental Charter Middle School - Inglewood
  • Environmental Charter High School - Gardena
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

B.

Approve ECS Resolutions for 2022 Financing as recommended by Finance Committee

Ken Deemer made a motion to approve ECS Resolutions for 2022 Financing as recommended by Finance Committee.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

VII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS Board Meeting

B.

Next ECS Committee Meetings

C.

Appreciations

Board President Anthony Jowid appreciated the excellent preparation and hard work of the ECS leadership at the S&P bond issuance call related to the Equitable Facilities Fund update previously discussed at this board meeting.

 

LESD board representative Travis Collier admired ECS's work and dedication to social justice demonstrated in the daily work of the organization.

VIII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ken Deemer
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid