Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

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

Anthony Jowid called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Thursday Aug 3, 2023 at 5:03 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 06-22-23.
Kennedy Hilario seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent

B.

Approve contracts

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

C.

Approve 2023-2024 ECS Employee Handbook

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to Approve 2023-2024 ECS Employee Handbook.
Kennedy Hilario seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye

D.

Approve Consolidated Applications for all ECS schools

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to Approve Consolidated Applications for all ECS Schools.
Kennedy Hilario seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

E.

Approve revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to Approve revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan.
Kennedy Hilario seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Mason Williams
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

F.

Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment)

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment).
Kennedy Hilario seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye

G.

Approve revised ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to Approve revised ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024.
Kennedy Hilario seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye

VI. Action Items

A.

Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2023-24 School Year (Board Policy 32188)

Zena Fong made a motion to Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2023-24 School Year (Board Policy 32188).
Herb Sims seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye

B.

Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need

Zena Fong made a motion to Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need for ECHS-Lawndale, ECMS-Gardena, ECMS-Inglewood, and ECHS-Gardena.
Herb Sims seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent

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

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

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

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:44 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid