Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday November 30, 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 / 3011 Elm Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
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 SpEd and English Language Development
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
Andrew Ellenbogen, Anthony Jowid, Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Herb Sims, Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Zena Fong
Directors Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Guests Present
Danielle Kelsick, Dave Trejo, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Jeremiah David, Tracy Bondi, Tracy Pumilia, LESD (ECS board representative)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
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
None.
III. Action Items
A.
Action item: elect prospective board member Andrew Ellenbogen to ECS Board
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
B.
Action Item: Sunshine Proposals (Gov't Code § 3547(c))
Tabled at this time, for discussion and vote in closed session later in the meeting.
IV. Consent Items A-F
A.
Approve 9/21/2023 board meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
B.
Approve 10/20/2023 Governance Committee meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
C.
Approve contracts
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
D.
Approve A-G Improvement Grant Plan
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
E.
Approve LACOE Instructional Program Reviews & Governance Review
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
F.
Approve revised Board & Committee Calendar
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
V. Action Item
A.
Approve FY23 Audit Report (draft)
Tabled due to audit report draft not being released yet by auditor. Release is expected in next several working days.
VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements
A.
Next ECS Board Meeting
B.
Next ECS Committee Meetings
C.
Appreciations
Tabled.
VII. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
VIII. Report Out of Closed Session
A.
Report Out
Board President Anthony Jowid reported out that in closed session the board unanimously voted to approve the ECS Sunshine Proposal.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
All meeting attendees engaged in a brief meet and greet in-person opener.