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 | |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
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
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 3/6/2024 Audit Committee meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
C.
Approve 4/26/2024 Finance Committee meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
D.
Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
E.
Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
F.
Accept ECS Tax Return Forms 990 and 199 as recommended by Finance Committee
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
G.
Approve contracts
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
H.
Approve revised Board & Committee Calendar
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
I.
Accept 2022-23 Annual Reports to LACOE for ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
J.
Approve updated Safe Schools Plans for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
K.
Approve revised ECHS-G Academic Calendar 2023-2024
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
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 | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
VI. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
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 | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
| Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
| Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
| Herb Sims |
Aye
|
| Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
| Zena Fong |
Aye
|
| Mason Williams |
Aye
|
| Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
| LESD Representative |
Aye
|
| Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
| Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
All meeting attendees engaged in a brief opener.