Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday March 16, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Location
In-person location: ECS Home Office - 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd #100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Two-way teleconference locations: 2741 Peachwood Circle, Corona, CA 92882 / 1100 Shasta Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126
ECS Board Members Term and End Date
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President..................3 years June 30, 2025
Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Vice President.........3 years June 30, 2025
Dr. Denise Berger, Secretary....................3 years June 30, 2023
Ms. Zena Fong............................................3 years 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
Mr. Herb Sims.............................................3 years June 30, 2025
Mr. Mason Williams....................................3 years June 30, 2025
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative, Rotating Position
ECS Staff
Ms. Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Superintendent
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction
Ms. Alison Diaz, Director of Growth and Sustainability (Facilities)
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
Anthony Jowid, Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Herb Sims, Jenina Ramirez (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Zena Fong
Directors Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Guests Present
Danielle Kelsick, Danny Cristales, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Geneva Matthews, Jair Ventura (remote), Jen Fenton, Jeremiah David, Monse Garcia, Thelma Gonzalez (LESD board representative)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Absent
|
II. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items
B.
Presentations from the floor on agenda items
None.
III. Discussion Items / Updates
A.
Opener
Superintendent Farnaz Golshani-Flechner conducted an opener where attendees, staff and board members walked around to discuss the following questions: what is your connection with ECS and what is your favorite place traveled?
B.
ECMS principals update
ECMS-I Principal and Assistant Principal, Dr. Geneva Matthews and Danny Cristales, presented their principal update slides on the ELD program, Interdisciplinary Benchmarks, SEL & Beyond (counseling department), Advisory and Discipline Highlights, Charter Renewal, Preparing for CAASPP, and Community Events.
Superintendent Golshani-Flechner expressed appreciations for Dr. Geneva Matthews and Danny Cristales.
IV. Consent Items A-J
A.
Approve 1/26/2023 board meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
B.
Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2022-2023
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
C.
Approve private donations over $1,000
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
D.
Approve contracts
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
E.
Approve Second Interim Financials for ECHSL, ECMSG, ECMSI, ECHSG
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
F.
Approve ECS Tax Return Forms 990 and 199
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
G.
Approve updated Safe Schools Plans for ECHSL, ECMSG, ECMSI, ECHSG
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
H.
Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
I.
Approve MOA with LA Parks and Recreation Department for Facility Use
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
J.
Approve revised ECHS-L Academic Calendar 2022-2023
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
V. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
VI. Closed Session
A.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
The board met in closed session for the annual superintendent evaluation.
B.
Conference with Labor Negotiator (Government Code section 54957.6)
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 met in closed session for the superintendent evaluation and decided to renew the CEO's contract with no change to current compensation by a unanimous vote.
B.
Ratification of CEO's/ED's Employment Agreement
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Zena Fong |
Absent
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Absent
|
| LESD Representative |
Absent
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
None.