Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Thursday August 4, 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
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

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. Lucia Bañuelos, 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. Previous board meeting minutes may be viewed on the Board On Track public portal website at https://app2.boardontrack.com/public/3tHo3u/home.

Directors Present

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

Directors Absent

Anthony Jowid

Guests Present

Alison Diaz (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Gretchen Janson (LESD board representative) (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Michael Martucci (remote), Sarah Jamieson (remote), Tracy Bondi (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 Aug 4, 2022 at 5:04 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

A.

Public Comment: Revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan

No speakers were present to provide comments at this public hearing.

IV. Consent Items A-K

A.

Approve Board Resolution 2022-2023 #1 - Authorizing Remote Board Meetings

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve Board Resolution 2022-2023 #1 - Authorizing Remote Board Meetings.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye

B.

Approve minutes for 6/23/2022 ECS board meeting

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 06-23-22.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent

C.

Approve revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye

D.

Approve revised 2022-2023 Board & Committee Calendar

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve revised 2022-2023 Board & Committee Calendar.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

E.

Approve FY 2022-23 contract(s)

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve FY 2022-23 contract(s).
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye

F.

Approve ECHS-Gardena to purchase one (1) school van up to $45,000

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve ECHS-Gardena to purchase one (1) school van up to $45,000.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

G.

Approve revised Independent Study Policy 2022-2023

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve revised Independent Study Policy 2022-2023.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye

H.

Approve Parent-Student Handbook(s)

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve Parent-Student Handbook(s).
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye

I.

Approve sale or disposition of ECS technology equipment

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve sale or disposition of ECS technology equipment.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

J.

Approve revised Academic Calendars 2022-2023

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve revised Academic Calendars 2022-2023.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

K.

Approve Consolidated Applications for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

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

V. Action Item

A.

Approve ECS Employee Handbook 2022-2023

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve ECS Employee Handbook 2022-2023.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

B.

Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2022-23 School Year (Board Policy 32188)

Zena Fong made a motion to approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2022-23 School Year (Board Policy 32188).
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

C.

Approve CL500 Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve CL500 Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
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 5:20 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jenina Ramirez