Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Audit Committee Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Wednesday December 13, 2023 at 1:00 PM

Location

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84784365027?pwd=eGkzVTVRTU1NZ2VSRGlBZzJjTWJLZz09

 

Alternative access:

  • Two-way Teleconference Location: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
  • Dial-In: 669 900 6833, Meeting ID: 847 8436 5027, Passcode: 669360
Audit Committee Members
Mr. Anthony Jowid - Chair
Mr. Kennedy Hilario
Dr. Madhu Chatwani

Audit Committee Charter
  • Recommend appointment, retention and termination of the independent auditor to the Board on an annual basis or at the end of a multi-year agreement;
  • Review and discuss with the independent auditor any material risks and weaknesses in internal controls identified by the auditor and the adequacy of ECS’s accounting and financial reporting processes. Solicit recommendations from the independent auditor for the improvement of ECS’s internal control procedures and particular areas where new or more detailed controls or procedures are desirable; 
  • Resolve any disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting and other matters;
  • Pre-approve all auditing and non-audit services performed by auditors.

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 STANDING COMMITTEE 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 Committee 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 Committee on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Committee's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Committee meeting by speaking with the Committee Chair.

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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Committee allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Committee Chair.

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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).

The public should be aware that the Committee 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.
 

Committee Members Present

Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Madhu Chatwani (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote)

Committee Members Absent

None

Guests Present

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Jeremiah David (remote), Tracy Bondi

I. Opening Items

A.

Record attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Anthony Jowid called a meeting of the Audit Committee of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Wednesday Dec 13, 2023 at 1:06 PM.

C.

Approve agenda

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to approve the agenda.
Kennedy Hilario seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentation from the floor on non agenda items

None.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

None.

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

22/23 audit report draft review

Director of Finance Tracy Bondi and Director of Compliance & Operations Jeremiah David walked through the audit report draft with the Audit Committee in detail, noting that the audit report contained no findings or management notes.

B.

Audit committee next steps

The Audit Committee resolved to meet again at the next committee meeting in March 2024 to review proposals and select the winning audit firm for the next audit cycles, conducting the bidding process pursuant to regulations.

IV. Action Item

A.

Recommend board approval of 22/23 audit report

Dr. Madhu Chatwani made a motion to recommend board approval of 22/23 audit report.
Anthony Jowid seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Kennedy Hilario made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Dr. Madhu Chatwani seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
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 1:28 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Jowid