Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Thursday May 26, 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
Ms. Alison Diaz, Director of Growth and Sustainability (Facilities)
Dr. Beth Bernstein-Yamashiro, Director of Principal Development/Principal Coach

Ms. Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance

Ms. Julie Vo, Director of Development

Mr. Jeremiah David, Director of Compliance and Operations

Ms. Sarah Jamieson, Director of Human Resources

Mr. Michael Martucci, Director of Student Services

Ms. 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, 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

Dave Trejo (remote), Dr. Cindy Guardado (remote), Gabriela Villalpando (remote), Jane Wyche (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Julie Vo (remote), KC Fabiero (remote), Michael Martucci (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Jenina Ramirez called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Thursday May 26, 2022 at 5:10 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

Leadership updates

CEO Farnaz Golshani-Flechner presented the leadership update slides.

 

Board member Kennedy Hilario remarked that ECS is showing a high level of academic success as compared to neighboring schools, statewide, and nationwide averages. He posed the question of what ECS students' ceiling could be on achievement and if this topic has been explored. Chief Academic Officer Danielle Kelsick responded that this is a topic that is constantly being discussed and debated by the instructional leaders and that a key academic focus is improving critical thinking skills in order to prepare students for the changing world environment ahead.

B.

Principals updates

ECHS-Gardena Principal Dr. Cindy Guardado, ECMS-Gardena Principal Dave Trejo, and ECHS-Lawndale Principal KC Fabiero shared brief presentations on highlights and celebrations on their campuses. This was followed by highlights and celebrations from ECMS-Inglewood presented by Farnaz Golshani-Flechner.

C.

Summer reading share out

ECS Humanities Specialist Jane Wyche-Jonas presented a brief summary of ECS's summer reading program.

IV. Consent Items A-H

A.

Approve minutes for 3/17/2022 ECS Board Meeting

Anthony Jowid made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 03-17-22.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye

B.

Approve minutes for 4/6/2022 ECS Special Board Meeting

Anthony Jowid made a motion to approve minutes for 4/6/2022 ECS Special Board Meeting Special Board of Directors' Meeting on 04-06-22.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye

C.

Approve Board Resolution 2021-2022 #5 - Authorizing Remote Board Meetings

Anthony Jowid made a motion to approve Board Resolution 2021-2022 #5 - Authorizing Remote Board Meetings.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

D.

Approve CalSHAPE Program Plumbing Board Resolutions for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I

Anthony Jowid made a motion to approve CalSHAPE Program Plumbing Board Resolutions for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

E.

Accept ECS tax return forms 990 and 199

Anthony Jowid made a motion to accept ECS tax return forms 990 and 199.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye

F.

Approve revised 2021-2022 Academic Calendars

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

G.

Approve Contracts

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

H.

Approve revised ECS Board & Committee Calendar 2021-2022

Anthony Jowid 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
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

V. Action Item

A.

Approve revised Teacher/Counselor/SPED Coordinator Salary Schedule

LESD Representative made a motion to approve revised Teacher/Counselor/SPED Coordinator Salary Schedule.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS Board Meeting

B.

Next ECS Committee Meetings

C.

Appreciations

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner appreciated the hard work of the safety and operations scrum team which has met multiple times per week throughout the school year to manage all kinds of challenging safety and health concerns across ECS: Chief Academic Officer Danielle Kelsick, Director of Compliance & Operations Jeremiah David, Director of Human Resources Sarah Jamieson, Director of Health & Safety Jennifer Fenton, and Farnaz Golshani-Flechner.

VII. Report Out of Closed Session

A.

Oral Recommendation Regarding CEO's/ED's Salary and/or Fringe Benefits

The board returned from closed session. Board President Anthony Jowid reported out that the board voted to approve a 9% increase for CEO Farnaz Golshani-Flechner's salary.

 

 

B.

Ratification of CEO's/ED's Employment Agreement

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to ratify the CEO's/ED's employment agreement.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

VIII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Ken Deemer
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:16 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid