Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Special Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday November 21, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Location
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/147466498?pwd=MnB5Vkc4aG41OEZ1dDdtcWoxQjV0dz09
OR
Dial By Phone: Phone #: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 147 466 498, Passcode: 133043#
Two-way Teleconference Locations: ECS Home Office - 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd #100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 / 3011 Elm St, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 2001 Palm Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 3513 Walnut Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 / 1943 Yosemite Rd, Berkeley, CA 94707 / 2741 Peachwood Cir, Corona, CA 92882 / 14407 Larch Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260 / 4163 Sea View Lane, Los Angeles, CA 90065 / 9607 Kirkside Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90035 / 4161 W 147th St, Lawndale, CA 90260
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), Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, Herb Sims (remote), Jenina Ramirez (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), LESD Representative, Mason Williams (remote), Zena Fong (remote)
Directors Absent
Anthony Jowid, Dr. Betsy Hamilton
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Madhu Chatwani, LESD Representative
Directors who left before the meeting adjourned
Mason Williams
Guests Present
Alison Diaz (remote), Farnaz Golshani-Flechner (remote), Jeremiah David (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
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.
Presentation on California Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) Phase 2 grants for ECHSG, ECHSL and ECMS-I
Founder and Director of Growth & Sustainability Alison Diaz presented the CalSHAPE Phase 2 grants slides in detail. This was followed by a full Q&A and discussion among the board members and the ECS staff in attendance.
IV. Action Item
A.
Approve California Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) Phase 2 for ECHSG, ECHSL and ECMSI
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
B.
Approve revised 2024-25 board & committee calendar
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Tabled.