Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Special Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Friday May 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM

Location

In-person location: ECS Home Office - 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd #100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

 

Two-way teleconference locations: 409 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite E, Santa Monica, CA 90401 / 402 Alpine Street, Pasadena, CA 91106 / 14407 Larch Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260 / 1100 Shasta Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 / 4161 W 147th St., Lawndale, CA 90260

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 (remote), Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, Herb Sims (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative (remote), Mason Williams (remote), Zena Fong

Directors Absent

Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Jenina Ramirez

Guests Present

Alison Diaz, Danielle Kelsick, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Jen Fenton, Jeremiah David, Sarah Jamieson, Thelma Gonzalez - LESD board representative (remote), Tracy Bondi (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record attendance and guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Anthony Jowid called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Friday May 12, 2023 at 10:05 AM.

C.

Approve the agenda

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to shift the agenda and go to Closed Session first before Discussion Items / Updates.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
LESD Representative
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Herb Sims
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. Transition to Closed Session

A.

Adjourn to Closed Session

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to adjourn to closed session.
Herb Sims seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
LESD Representative
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent

IV. Closed Session

A.

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

The board met in closed session.

V. Report Out of Closed Session

A.

Report Out

Board President Anthony Jowid stated there was nothing to report.

 

VI. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

Budget and Compensation Presentation 23/24

Superintendent Farnaz Golshani-Flechner and Director of Finance Tracy Bondi presented salary schedules and benefit changes to retain and recruit staff. 

VII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS Board Meeting

B.

Next ECS Committee Meetings

VIII. Action Items

A.

Approve proposed 23/24 Teacher, Coordinator, Counselor Salary Schedule

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve proposed 23/24 Teacher, Coordinator, Counselor Salary Schedule.
Mason Williams seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye

B.

Approve proposed 23/24 Paraeducator Salary Schedule

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to approve proposed 23/24 Paraeducator Salary Schedule.
Anthony Jowid seconded the motion.

Approve proposed 23/24 paraeducator salary schedule

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye

IX. Closing Items

A.

Appreciations

Anthony Jowid appreciated Farnaz Golshani-Flechner and the ECS staff for all the work that has been put in for the process that was discussed today. 

 

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner appreciated the board for being able to attend and making time for the time-sensitive meeting. 

B.

Adjourn Meeting

Zena Fong made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Herb Sims seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid