Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Finance Committee Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Friday January 20, 2023 at 8:30 AM

Location

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86746735522?pwd=eG5RVHI4ZURqeXBwVm1YS2E0WTk5Zz09

 

Alternative access:

  • Two-way Teleconference Location: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
  • Call-in only: (669) 900-6833 (Meeting ID: 867 4673 5522, Passcode: 425920)

Finance Committee Members
Tracy Bondi - Chair
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Denise Berger
Bruce Greenspon
Alison Diaz

Finance Committee Charter

  • Provides financial oversight for the organization
  • In conjunction with staff and other stakeholders, develops an annual operating budget and recommends for board approval
  • Monitors adherence to budget and recommends changes, if necessary
  • Sets long-term financial goals with funding strategies to achieve them
  • Considers special, unbudgeted requests and make recommendations to board
  • Develops multi-year operating budgets that tie to strategic plan
  • Ensures adequacy of financial controls and monitor for compliance
  • Ensure Financial literacy of Board Members by providing training

Goals for 2022-2023

Engage board in a critical assessment of the budget as it relates to organizational priorities and goals

Hold a yearly ECS financial training course

Ensure school budgets and cash flows are transparent, supportable, and sustainable

Support ECHS #2's financial objectives in the facilities development and

school startup process

 

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 STANDING COMMITTEE 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 Committee 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 Committee on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Committee's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Committee meeting by speaking with the Committee Chair.

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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Committee allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Committee Chair.

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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).

The public should be aware that the Committee 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.

Committee Members Present

Alison Diaz (remote), Bruce Greenspon (remote), Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Tracy Bondi (remote)

Committee Members Absent

None

Committee Members who arrived after the meeting opened

Dr. Denise Berger

Guests Present

Dorothy Lee (remote), Jair Ventura (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Sarahai Garibay (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record attendance and guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Tracy Bondi called a meeting of the Finance Committee of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Friday Jan 20, 2023 at 8:34 AM.

C.

Approve agenda

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to approve the agenda.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Alison Diaz
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentation from the floor on non agenda items

None.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

None.

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

22/23 EdTec Financial Update

EdTec consultant Dorothy Lee provided the EdTec 21/22 financial review:

 

  • ECHS-Lawndale- operating income increased by $6k from previous forecast
  • ECMS-Gardena- operating income decreased by $52k from previous forecast
  • ECMS-Inglewood- operating income decreased by $39k from previous forecast
  • ECHS-Gardena- operating income decreased by $41k from previous forecast
Dr. Denise Berger arrived.

B.

Discussion: fiscal cliff cutbacks

A brief discussion ensued around the early introduction of spending cutback imperatives to ECS staff, particularly on discretionary expenses, before the fiscal cliff of federal and state relief monies taper away.

IV. Consent Items A-C

A.

Recommend board approval of private donations over $1,000

Alison Diaz made a motion to recommend board approval of private donations over $1,000.
Tracy Bondi seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Alison Diaz
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye

B.

Recommend board approval of check registers and credit card statements

Alison Diaz made a motion to recommend board approval of check registers and credit card statements.
Tracy Bondi seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Alison Diaz
Aye

C.

Recommend board approval of contracts

Alison Diaz made a motion to recommend board approval of contracts.
Tracy Bondi seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Alison Diaz
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye

V. Action Items

A.

Recommend board approval of revised Lawndale Properties LLC Lease Agreement

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to recommend board approval of revised Lawndale Properties LLC Lease Agreement.
Alison Diaz seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Alison Diaz
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

B.

Recommend board approval of revised Yukon LLC Sublease Agreement Amendment

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to recommend board approval of revised Yukon LLC Sublease Agreement Amendment.
Tracy Bondi seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Alison Diaz
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye

VI. Closing Items

A.

Appreciations

Appreciations were shared among the ECS staff for their successes in navigating the challenging fiscal landscape and for the outcome of the annual audit with no findings or management notes.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Tracy Bondi seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Alison Diaz
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:26 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Bondi