Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
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
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
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.
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
B.
ECMS-Inglewood school update
ECMS-Inglewood Principal Dr. Geneva Matthews presented the ECMSI Board Meeting 2024 Fall Presentation slides.
IV. Consent Items A-L
A.
Approve 8/1/2024 board minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 9/13/2024 Finance Committee meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
C.
Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
D.
Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
E.
Approve Unaudited Actuals for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
F.
Approve ECS Resolutions for 2024 Financing as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
G.
Approve 2024-25 Finance Committee Goals as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
H.
Approve contracts
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
I.
Approve revised 2024-25 Board & Committee Calendar
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
J.
Approve LACOE Certification of Signatures 2024-25
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
K.
Approve Parent-Student Handbooks
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
L.
Approve School Plans for Student Achievement
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
V. Action Item
A.
Approve 2024-25 budgets for ECHS-L, ECMS-G, ECMS-I, ECHS-G as recommended by Finance Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Tabled