Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Finance Committee Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Friday September 13, 2024 at 8:30 AM

Location

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86746735522?pwd=eG5RVHI4ZURqeXBwVm1YS2E0WTk5Zz09

 

Alternative access:

  • Two-way Teleconference Location: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
  • Call-in only: (669) 900-6833 (Meeting ID: 867 4673 5522, Passcode: 425920)

Finance Committee Members
Tracy Bondi - Chair
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Denise Berger
Bruce Greenspon

Mason Williams

Andrew Ellenbogen

Finance Committee Charter

  • Provides financial oversight for the organization
  • In conjunction with staff and other stakeholders, develops an annual operating budget and recommends for board approval
  • Monitors adherence to budget and recommends changes, if necessary
  • Sets long-term financial goals with funding strategies to achieve them
  • Considers special, unbudgeted requests and make recommendations to board
  • Develops multi-year operating budgets that tie to strategic plan
  • Ensures adequacy of financial controls and monitor for compliance
  • Ensure financial literacy of board members by providing training

Goals

  • Engage board in a critical assessment of the budget as it relates to organizational priorities and goals
  • Hold a yearly ECS financial training course for ECS Staff and/or New Board members
  • Ensure school budgets and cash flows are transparent, supportable, and sustainable
  • Support ECHSG's financial objectives in the facilities development and school startup process

 

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 STANDING COMMITTEE 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 Committee 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 Committee on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Committee's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Committee meeting by speaking with the Committee Chair.

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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Committee allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Committee Chair.

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 Committee (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).

The public should be aware that the Committee 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.

Committee Members Present

Bruce Greenspon (remote), Dr. Denise Berger (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Tracy Bondi (remote)

Committee Members Absent

Andrew Ellenbogen, Mason Williams

Guests Present

Dorothy Lee (remote), Jair Ventura (remote), Jeremiah David (remote), Remco Waller (remote), Sarahai Garibay (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record attendance and guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Tracy Bondi called a meeting of the Finance Committee of Environmental Charter Schools to order on Friday Sep 13, 2024 at 8:34 AM.

C.

Approve agenda

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to approve agenda.
Bruce Greenspon seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye

II. Presentations from the Floor

A.

Presentation from the floor on non agenda items

None.

B.

Presentations from the floor on agenda items

None.

III. Discussion Items / Updates

A.

2023-24 financial review and 2024-25 revised budgets

EdTec consultant Dorothy Lee presented the ECS Financial Update slides:

 

  • 2023-24 forecast changes to unaudited actuals
    • ECHS-Lawndale: Operating Income decreased by $43k
    • ECMS-Gardena: Operating Income decreased by $35k
    • ECMS-Inglewood: Operating Income decreased by $9k
    • ECHS-Gardena: Operating Income increased by $434k
  • 2024-25 budget forecast changes
    • ECHS-Lawndale: Operating income decreased by $167k
    • ECMS-Gardena: Operating income increased by $32k
    • ECMS-Inglewood: Operating income increased by $310k
    • ECHS-Gardena: Operating income increased by $11k

IV. Consent Items A-E

A.

Recommend board approval of private donations over $1,000

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to recommend board approval of private donations over $1,000.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent

B.

Recommend board approval of contracts

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to recommend board approval of contracts.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye

C.

Recommend board approval of check registers and credit card statements

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to recommend board approval of check registers and credit card statements.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent

D.

Recommend board approval of 2024-25 Finance Committee goals

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to recommend board approval of 2024-25 Finance Committee goals.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent

E.

Recommend board approval of Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to recommend board approval of Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye

V. Action Item

A.

Recommend board approval of revised 2024-25 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to recommend board approval of revised 2024-25 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G.
Bruce Greenspon seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye

B.

Recommend board approval of ECS Resolutions for 2024 Financing

Bruce Greenspon made a motion to recommend board approval of ECS Resolutions for 2024 Financing.
Dr. Denise Berger seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Mason Williams
Absent
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye

VI. Closing Items

A.

Appreciations

Appreciations were shared all around among the committee and staff.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

Farnaz Golshani-Flechner made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Bruce Greenspon seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Bruce Greenspon
Aye
Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Tracy Bondi
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Absent
Mason Williams
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:24 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Bondi