Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday August 3, 2023 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 locations: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd #100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 | 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, 2026
Ms. Zena Fong............................................3 years June 30, 2026
Ms. Jenina Ramirez....................................3 years June 30, 2024
Dr. Madhu Chatwani..................................3 years June 30, 2026
Mr. Kennedy Hilario....................................3 years June 30, 2026
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. Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance
Mr. Jeremiah David, Director of Compliance and Operations
Ms. Sarah Jamieson, Director of Human Resources
Ms. Jen Fenton, Director of Strategic Initiatives
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 (remote), Herb Sims (remote), Jenina Ramirez (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative (remote), Zena Fong (remote)
Directors Absent
Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Mason Williams
Guests Present
Danielle Kelsick (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Jen Fenton (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Monse Garcia (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 | |
---|---|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
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. Discussion Items / Updates
A.
ECHS-Lawndale Update
Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Danielle Kelsick shared student outcomes from Environmental Charter High School - Lawndale. Danielle Kelsick shared a positive shift stating 80% of ECHS-L Seniors passed their thesis project.
IV. 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.
V. Consent Items A-G
A.
Approve 6/22/2023 board meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
B.
Approve contracts
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
C.
Approve 2023-2024 ECS Employee Handbook
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
D.
Approve Consolidated Applications for all ECS schools
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
E.
Approve revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
F.
Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment)
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
G.
Approve revised ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
VI. Action Items
A.
Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2023-24 School Year (Board Policy 32188)
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
B.
Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
VII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements
A.
Next ECS Board Meeting
Superintendent Farnaz Golshani-Flechner announced the next regular board meeting date to be September 21, 2023, at 5 pm and in person. Principals will be present to go over new updates from their campuses.
Other important dates that were announced were the All-Staff PD that will be taking place on August 14, 2023, at the Environmental Charter High School - Gardena site. The first day of school for ECS students is on August 21, 2023.
B.
Next ECS Committee Meetings
VIII. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
IX. Report Out of Closed Session
A.
Report Out
The board returned from closed session with nothing to report.
X. Closing Items
A.
Appreciations
Board member Herb Sims mentioned how he met with 2 instructors from Environmental Charter Middle School - Inglewood at USC and stated how he was delighted to meet them there.
Superintendent Farnaz Golshani-Flechner appreciated all the board members for being present. Farnaz also appreciated Director of Compliance & Operations Jeremiah David, Director of Strategic Initiatives Jen Fenton, Director of Human Resources Sarah Jamieson, and Director of Finance Tracy Bondi for all the work that they have put in and for being able to work with them.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
None.