Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Special Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Wednesday April 6, 2022 at 4:30 PM

Location

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81548816838?pwd=WC9FMkZ2K0hCcDgySGlXUlJmbDJsZz09
 
OR 
 
Dial-In: (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 147 466 498, Passcode: 381949
 
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
Ms. Alison Diaz, Director of Growth and Sustainability (Facilities)
Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Director of Principal Development/Principal Coach

Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance

Julie Vo, Director of Development

Jeremiah David, Director of Compliance and Operations

Sarah Jamieson, Director of Human Resources

Michael Martucci, Director of Student Services

Jen Fenton, Director of Health and Safety
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, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Jenina Ramirez, LESD Representative

Directors Absent

Ken Deemer, Kennedy Hilario, Zena Fong

Guests Present

Jeremiah David

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 Wednesday Apr 6, 2022 at 4:41 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

A.

Adjourn to Closed Session

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

IV. Report Out of Closed Session

A.

Report Out

Board President Anthony Jowid provided the following report out of closed session:

 

In closed session, the board voted unanimously with 5 yays and 0 nays to approve the Agreement for Stipulated Expulsion pursuant to California Education Code §48917 and §48918.

V. Closing Items

A.

Appreciations

Director of Compliance and Operations Jeremiah David appreciated the board for taking time out of their calendars to convene and take action at this special board meeting.

 

Board member Jenina Ramirez appreciated Social Worker Cesar Delgado for working with the family associated with the closed session matter. Board President Anthony Jowid and board member Dr. Madhu Chatwani expressed appreciation to Jeremiah David for his work in coordinating this meeting.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:05 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid