Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday January 25, 2024 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
Mr. Andrew Ellenbogen.................................3 years June 30, 2026
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, Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Herb Sims, Jenina Ramirez, Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Zena Fong
Directors Absent
Anthony Jowid, Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Guests Present
Dorothy Lee (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Jen Fenton (remote), Jeremiah David, Kami Cotler, Monse Garcia, Tracy Bondi
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
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. Discussion Items / Updates
A.
EdTec financial update
EdTec consultant Dorothy Lee presented the ECS Financial Update slides:
- Minimal COLA (0.76%) for upcoming 24/25 state budget. 3rd lowest since LCFF was implemented.
- No cuts or planned deferrals to state's K-12 budget
- ECHS-L ADA is lower than budgeted mostly due to underenrollments in 11th and 12th grades, which are carried over from the pandemic period.
- ECHS-G ADA is lower than budgeted due primarily to several unexpected student exits.
- ECHS-L Forecast Changes - Operating income decreased by $29k
- ECMS-G Forecast Changes - Operating income increased by $24k
- ECMS-I Forecast Changes - Operating income increased by $82k
- ECHS-G Forecast Changes - Operating income increased by $169k
B.
LCAP midyear update
Our Director of Strategic Initiatives Jen Fenton, in collaboration with our Director of Finance Tracy Bondi, presented the midyear update slides on the Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs) for all ECS schools. They focused on the LCAP's framework of goals, actions, and expenditures for each school site and evaluated the progress of the sites in meeting these specified objectives.
IV. Consent Items A-K
A.
Approve 11/30/2023 board meeting minutes
Board member, Denise Berger, joined the meeting virtually.
Board member, Herb Sims, joined the meeting in person.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 12/13/2023 Audit Committee meeting minutes
Board member, Denise Berger, joined the meeting virtually
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
C.
Approve 1/19/2024 Finance Committee meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
D.
Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
E.
Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
F.
Approve contracts as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
G.
Approve First Interim Financial Reports for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
H.
Approve School Plans for Student Achievement for ECHSL, ECMSG, ECMSI, ECHSG
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
I.
Approve School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) for ECHSL, ECMSG, ECMSI, ECHSG
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
J.
Approve revised Board & Committee Calendar
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
K.
Approve revised 2023-2024 ECS Board Committees & Terms
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
V. Action Items
A.
Accept FY 22/23 Audit Report as recommended by Audit Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
B.
Approve updated ECS Financial Policies - credit card policy revision
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
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 | |
---|---|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
VIII. Report Out of Closed Session
A.
Report Out
Coming out of closed session, board member Jenina Ramirez reported that there was nothing to report out.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
All meeting attendees engaged in a brief meet and greet in-person opener.