Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

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

Dr. Betsy Hamilton called a meeting of the board of directors of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Thursday Aug 1, 2024 at 5:11 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

D.

Opener

Tabled.

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

Mason Williams made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 06-20-24.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye

B.

Approve contracts

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

C.

Approve 2024-25 Special Education provider renewal agreements

Mason Williams made a motion to approve 2024-25 Special Education provider renewal agreements.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye

D.

Approve 2024-25 outdoor education trip proposals

Mason Williams made a motion to approve 2024-25 outdoor education trip proposals.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye

E.

Approve 2024-25 ECS Employee Handbook

Mason Williams made a motion to approve 2024-25 ECS Employee Handbook.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye

F.

Approve 2024-25 Consolidated Applications for all ECS schools

Mason Williams made a motion to approve 2024-25 Consolidated Applications for all ECS schools.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye

G.

Approve revised 2024-25 Academic Calendars for all ECS schools

Mason Williams made a motion to approve revised 2024-25 Academic Calendars for all ECS schools.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye

V. Action Items

A.

Approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2024-25 School Year (Board Policy 32188)

Jenina Ramirez made a motion to approve Teachers on Special Assignment for 2024-25 School Year (Board Policy 32188).
Herb Sims seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye

B.

Approve CL 500 Declaration of Need

Andrew Ellenbogen made a motion to approve CL 500 Declaration of Need for ECHS-Lawndale, ECMS-Gardena, ECMS-Inglewood, and ECHS-Gardena.
Jenina Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
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

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Mason Williams seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
LESD Representative
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:43 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Betsy Hamilton