Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

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

Anthony Jowid called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Thursday Nov 30, 2023 at 5:06 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

D.

Opener

All meeting attendees engaged in a brief meet and greet in-person 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

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

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 09-21-23.
Dr. Betsy Hamilton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent

B.

Approve 10/20/2023 Governance Committee meeting minutes

Zena Fong made a motion to approve the minutes from Governance Committee Meeting on 10-20-23.
Dr. Betsy Hamilton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye

C.

Approve contracts

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

D.

Approve A-G Improvement Grant Plan

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

E.

Approve LACOE Instructional Program Reviews & Governance Review

Zena Fong made a motion to approve LACOE Instructional Program Reviews & Governance Review.
Dr. Betsy Hamilton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye

F.

Approve revised Board & Committee Calendar

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

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

Zena Fong made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Dr. Betsy Hamilton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:18 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jeremiah David