Environmental Charter Schools

Minutes

Board of Directors' Meeting

In-Person at ECS Home Office

Date and Time

Thursday September 19, 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, 13885 Dogleg Lane, Broomfield, CO 80023

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 (remote), Anthony Jowid, Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, Herb Sims, Jenina Ramirez, Kennedy Hilario, LESD Representative, Mason Williams, Zena Fong

Directors Absent

Dr. Madhu Chatwani

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Anthony Jowid, Jenina Ramirez, Mason Williams

Guests Present

Alberto Paredes (LESD Representative), Danielle Kelsick, Dorothy Lee (remote), Dr. Geneva Matthews, Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Isabell Bañuelos, Jeremiah David, Jeremiah David

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 Sep 19, 2024 at 5:07 PM.

C.

Approve the agenda

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

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.

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
Jenina Ramirez arrived.
Mason Williams arrived.

B.

ECMS-Inglewood school update

ECMS-Inglewood Principal Dr. Geneva Matthews presented the ECMSI Board Meeting 2024 Fall Presentation slides.

Anthony Jowid arrived.

IV. Consent Items A-L

A.

Approve 8/1/2024 board minutes

Herb Sims made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors' Meeting on 08-01-24.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye

B.

Approve 9/13/2024 Finance Committee meeting minutes

Herb Sims made a motion to approve the minutes from Finance Committee Meeting on 09-13-24.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye

C.

Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee

Herb Sims made a motion to approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye

D.

Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee

Herb Sims made a motion to approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye

E.

Approve Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee

Herb Sims made a motion to approve Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Anthony Jowid
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye

F.

Approve ECS Resolutions for 2024 Financing as recommended by Finance Committee

Herb Sims made a motion to approve ECS Resolutions for 2024 Financing as recommended by Finance Committee.
LESD Representative seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye

G.

Approve 2024-25 Finance Committee Goals as recommended by Finance Committee

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

H.

Approve contracts

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

I.

Approve revised 2024-25 Board & Committee Calendar

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

J.

Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2024-25

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

K.

Approve Parent-Student Handbooks

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

L.

Approve School Plans for Student Achievement

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

V. Action Item

A.

Approve 2024-25 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to approve 2024-25 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee.
Zena Fong seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Zena Fong
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Mason Williams
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Jenina Ramirez
Absent

VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements

A.

Next ECS Board Meeting

The next regular board meeting, per the revised board calendar in the adopted consent agenda, is on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 5pm.

B.

Next ECS Committee Meetings

C.

Appreciations

Tabled.

VII. Transition to Closed Session

A.

Adjourn to Closed Session

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

VIII. Report Out of Closed Session

A.

Report Out

Board President Dr. Betsy Hamilton stated that the board met in closed session with nothing to report out.

IX. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Dr. Denise Berger made a motion to adjourn meeting.
Herb Sims seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Mason Williams
Aye
Andrew Ellenbogen
Aye
Zena Fong
Aye
Anthony Jowid
Aye
Herb Sims
Aye
Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Aye
Dr. Denise Berger
Aye
LESD Representative
Absent
Kennedy Hilario
Aye
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Absent
Jenina Ramirez
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:21 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Betsy Hamilton