Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday August 1, 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
ECS Board Members Term and End Date
Dr. Betsy Hamilton, President...............3 years June 30, 2025
Dr. Denise Berger, Secretary................ 3 years June 30, 2026
Mr. Anthony Jowid.................................3 years June 30, 2025
Ms. Zena Fong.......................................3 years June 30, 2026
Ms. Jenina Ramirez............................. ..3 years June 30, 2027
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, Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, Herb Sims, Jenina Ramirez, Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Zena Fong
Directors Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Guests Present
Dave Trejo, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Isabell Bañuelos, Jeremiah David, Robert Maxwell, Sarah Jamieson
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
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.
Teacher Assignment Monitoring Outcomes data report of School Year 2022-2023
Director of Human Resources Sarah Jamieson reported out on the Teacher Assignment Monitoring Outcomes data report of School Year 2022-2023. This was followed by a discussion between the board and ECS staff around the challenges of teacher hiring and the improvements planned and underway to remedy teacher misassignments.
B.
Strategic Priorities Benchmark Chart
Superintendent Farnaz Golshani-Flechner conducted a study session on the Strategic Priorities Benchmark Chart.
IV. Consent Items A-G
A.
Approve 6/20/2024 board minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
B.
Approve contracts
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
C.
Approve 2024-25 Special Education provider renewal agreements
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
D.
Approve 2024-25 outdoor education trip proposals
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
E.
Approve 2024-25 ECS Employee Handbook
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
F.
Approve 2024-25 Consolidated Applications for all ECS schools
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
G.
Approve revised 2024-25 Academic Calendars for all ECS schools
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
V. Action Items
A.
Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2024-25 School Year (Board Policy 32188)
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
B.
Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
VI. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
Tabled.
VII. Closed Session
A.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Tabled.
B.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Gov’t Code §54957.6)
Tabled.
VIII. Report Out of Closed Session
A.
Report Out
Tabled.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Tabled.