Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
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
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
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. 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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
B.
Approve minutes for 6/23/2022 ECS board meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
C.
Approve revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
D.
Approve revised 2022-2023 Board & Committee Calendar
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
E.
Approve FY 2022-23 contract(s)
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
F.
Approve ECHS-Gardena to purchase one (1) school van up to $45,000
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
G.
Approve revised Independent Study Policy 2022-2023
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
H.
Approve Parent-Student Handbook(s)
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
I.
Approve sale or disposition of ECS technology equipment
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
J.
Approve revised Academic Calendars 2022-2023
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
K.
Approve Consolidated Applications for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
V. Action Item
A.
Approve ECS Employee Handbook 2022-2023
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
B.
Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2022-23 School Year (Board Policy 32188)
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
C.
Approve CL500 Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
VI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
None.