Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday May 2, 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 / 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045
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 (remote), Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Herb Sims, Jenina Ramirez, Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Zena Fong
Directors Absent
None
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
Anthony Jowid
Guests Present
Danielle Kelsick, Dave Trejo, Dorothy Lee (remote), Dr. Howard Ho (LESD), Dr. Shalene Wright, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Isabell Bañuelos, Jen Fenton, Jeremiah David, Tracy Bondi (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
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. Discussion Items / Updates
A.
EdTec financial update
EdTec consultant Dorothy Lee presented the ECS Financial Update slides:
- ECHS-L ADA: P2 ADA 454.2, drop in 4.36 from last forecast
- ECHS-L Forecast Changes - Operating income decreased by $141k
- ECMS-G ADA: P2 ADA 337.3, increase of 2.5 from last forecast
- ECMS-G Forecast Changes - Operating income decreased by $18k
- ECMS-I ADA: P2 ADA 337.2, increase of 2.38 from last forecast
- ECMS-I Forecast Changes - Operating income decreased by $87k
- ECHS-G ADA: P2 ADA 312.7, decrease of 4.36 from last forecast
- ECHS-G Forecast Changes - Operating income decreased by $43k
- FY25 Budget Assumptions: 0.76% COLA, STRS 19.10%, PERS 27.80%. Current FY25 budget drafts show:
- ECHS-L: operating loss of $55k
- ECMS-G: operating loss of $140k
- ECMS-I: operating loss of $39k
- ECHS-G: operating income of $319k. This operating income will show higher due to accounting treatment required by GAAP.
Following these slides, Dorothy Lee presented in detail the Second Interim Financials for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G and responded to board member questions.
B.
ECMS-G school update
ECMS-Gardena Principal Dave Trejo presented the ECMS-G school update slides.
IV. Consent Items A-K
A.
Approve 1/25/2024 board meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 3/6/2024 Audit Committee meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
C.
Approve 4/26/2024 Finance Committee meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
D.
Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
E.
Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
F.
Accept ECS Tax Return Forms 990 and 199 as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
G.
Approve contracts
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
H.
Approve revised Board & Committee Calendar
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
I.
Accept 2022-23 Annual Reports to LACOE for ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
J.
Approve updated Safe Schools Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
K.
Approve revised ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
V. Action Items
A.
Approve Second Interim Financials for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
VI. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
VII. Report Out of Closed Session
A.
Report Out
Coming out of closed session, Board Vice President Dr. Betsy Hamilton reported that there was nothing to report out.
B.
Oral Recommendation Regarding CEO's/ED's Salary and/or Fringe Benefits
For renewal agreement, no changes from current agreement.
C.
Ratification of Superintendent's Employment Agreement
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
All meeting attendees engaged in a brief opener.