Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Special Board of Directors' Meeting
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
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
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. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
B.
Approve proposed 23/24 Paraeducator Salary Schedule
Approve proposed 23/24 paraeducator salary schedule
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
None.