Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday September 21, 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: 1100 Shasta Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 / 10807 E. 31st S, Independence, MO 64052 / 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 & Operations
Ms. Sarah Jamieson, Director of Human Resources
Ms. Jen Fenton, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Shalene Wright, Director of Student Services
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. Denise Berger, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Herb Sims (remote), Jenina Ramirez (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), Zena Fong
Directors Absent
LESD Representative, Mason Williams
Guests Present
Danielle Kelsick, Dave Trejo, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Geneva Matthews, Jen Fenton, Jeremiah David, Lucia Banuelos, Monse Garcia, Sarah Jamieson, Shalene Wright, Tracy Bondi
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
D.
Opener
II. Presentations from the Floor
A.
Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items
None.
B.
Presentations from the floor on agenda items
Presentations from the floor on agenda items included an introduction from the union Environmental Educators United and an introduction to their Sunshine Proposal attached in the agenda.
III. Discussion Items / Updates
A.
ECHS-Lawndale College Presentation and Alumni Tracking Update
ECHS-Lawndale Counselor Roxanne Solomita presented the ECHS-Lawndale College Presentation and Alumni Tracking Update slides on college placements, detailing the number of students attending various institutions and their commitments.
B.
A-G Improvement Grant Plan Presentation
Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Danielle Kelsick presented the A-G Improvement Grant Plan Presentation slides.
C.
23/24 EdTec Financial Update and Revised Budgets Presentation
EdTec consultant Dorothy Lee delivered the 23/24 EdTec Financial Update and Revised Budgets Presentation slides regarding financial updates and budget revisions for each ECS campus.
D.
EEU and ECS Sunshine Proposals (informational items)
Superintendent Farnaz Golshani-Flechner announced this is an informational item for the board to discuss in closed session.
IV. Action Item
A.
Designate Labor Representative (Gov't Code § 54957.6.)
Madhu Chatwani left the board meeting at 6:31 PM.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
V. Consent Items A-I
A.
Approve 8/3/2023 board meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 9/15/2023 Finance Committee meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
C.
Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
D.
Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
E.
Approve Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
F.
Approve contracts
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
G.
Approve Parent-Student Handbooks
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
H.
Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2023-2024
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
I.
Approve revised ECMS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
VI. Action Item
A.
Approve revised budgets for all sites as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
VII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements
A.
Next ECS Board Meeting
The next ECS Board Meeting will be in person on November 30, 2023 at 5pm.
B.
Next ECS Committee Meetings
The next ECS Committee Meetings will be held on:
- Governance Committee - October 10, 2023 at 10:30am
- Audit Committee - December 6, 2023 at 1:00pm
- Finance Committee - January 19, 2024 at 8:30am
- Facilities Committee - April 24, 2024 at 4:30pm
C.
Appreciations
Appreciations were shared among the board, staff, and attendees.
VIII. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
IX. Closed Session
A.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
The board met in closed session.
B.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Gov’t Code §54957.6)
The board met in closed session.
X. Report Out of Closed Session
A.
Report Out
The board returned from closed session with nothing to report.
XI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Superintendent Farnaz Golshani-Flechner conducted an opener where attendees, staff and board members walked around to discuss the following questions: How many years have you been with ECS and what connection to ECS do you have.