Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

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

Jenina Ramirez called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Thursday Jan 25, 2024 at 5:09 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

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. 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

Mason Williams made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 11-30-23.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.

Board member, Denise Berger,  joined the meeting virtually. 

Board member, Herb Sims, joined the meeting in person. 

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

B.

Approve 12/13/2023 Audit Committee meeting minutes

Mason Williams made a motion to approve the minutes from Audit Committee Meeting on 12-13-23.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.

Board member, Denise Berger, joined the meeting virtually

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

C.

Approve 1/19/2024 Finance Committee meeting minutes

Mason Williams made a motion to approve the minutes from Finance Committee Meeting on 01-19-24.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye

D.

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

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

E.

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

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

F.

Approve contracts as recommended by Finance Committee

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

G.

Approve First Interim Financial Reports for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee

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

H.

Approve School Plans for Student Achievement for ECHSL, ECMSG, ECMSI, ECHSG

Mason Williams made a motion to approve School Plans for Student Achievement for ECHSL, ECMSG, ECMSI, ECHSG.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye

I.

Approve School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) for ECHSL, ECMSG, ECMSI, ECHSG

Mason Williams made a motion to approve School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) for ECHSL, ECMSG, ECMSI, ECHSG.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

J.

Approve revised Board & Committee Calendar

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

K.

Approve revised 2023-2024 ECS Board Committees & Terms

Mason Williams made a motion to approve revised 2023-2024 ECS Board Committees & Terms.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

V. Action Items

A.

Accept FY 22/23 Audit Report as recommended by Audit Committee

Andrew Ellenbogen made a motion to accept FY 22/23 Audit Report as recommended by Audit Committee.
Mason Williams seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye

B.

Approve updated ECS Financial Policies - credit card policy revision

Zena Fong made a motion to approve updated ECS Financial Policies - credit card policy revision.
Andrew Ellenbogen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Herb Sims
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent

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

Mason Williams 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
Herb Sims
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent

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

Zena Fong made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:37 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jenina Ramirez