Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

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

Anthony Jowid called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Thursday Sep 21, 2023 at 5:05 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

D.

Opener

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.

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.)

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to designate Robert Escalante as Labor Representative.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.

Madhu Chatwani left the board meeting at 6:31 PM.

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

V. Consent Items A-I

A.

Approve 8/3/2023 board meeting minutes

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 08-03-23.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

B.

Approve 9/15/2023 Finance Committee meeting minutes

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to approve the minutes from Finance Committee Meeting on 09-15-23.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

C.

Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
LESD Representative
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye

D.

Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye

E.

Approve Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Betsy Hamilton made a motion to approve Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye

F.

Approve contracts

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

G.

Approve Parent-Student Handbooks

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

H.

Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2023-2024

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

I.

Approve revised ECMS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024

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

VI. Action Item

A.

Approve revised budgets for all sites as recommended by Finance Committee

Zena Fong made a motion to approve revised budgets for all sites as recommended by Finance Committee.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent

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

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

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

Anthony Jowid made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Mason Williams
Absent
LESD Representative
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid