Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
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.
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
C.
Approve the agenda
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
For ECS schools:
- Environmental Charter High School - Lawndale
- Environmental Charter Middle School - Gardena
- Environmental Charter Middle School - Inglewood
- Environmental Charter High School - Gardena
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
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
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
|
None.