Environmental Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Directors' Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday December 12, 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 | 157 W. 111th St, New York | Malecon De La Reserva 615, Lima, Peru
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
Anthony Jowid (remote), Dr. Betsy Hamilton, Dr. Denise Berger, Dr. Madhu Chatwani (remote), Kennedy Hilario (remote), Mason Williams, Zena Fong
Directors Absent
Andrew Ellenbogen, Herb Sims, Jenina Ramirez, LESD Representative
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
Zena Fong
Directors who left before the meeting adjourned
Dr. Madhu Chatwani
Guests Present
Danielle Kelsick, Dorothy Lee, Dr. Shalene Wright, Jeremiah David, Monse Garcia, Remco Waller, Tracy Bondi (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record attendance and guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve the agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
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.
EdTec financial update
EdTec Consultant Dorothy Lee shared a presentation with financial updates for each schoolsite. Operational costs was shared alongside enrollment and ADA information.
B.
California School Dashboard Comparison
Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Danielle Kelsick shared with the board a presentation of the California School Dashboard comparing our schoolsites with schools across the state of CA.
The board was given 5 minutes to review information on English Language Arts, Math, and Science and compare how Environmental Charter schoolsites performed compared to state averages.
The board was given 5 minutes to share their thoughts about the information they were given.
IV. Consent Items A-J
A.
Approve 11/21/2024 special board meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
B.
Approve 9/19/2024 board meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
C.
Approve check registers and credit card statements
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
D.
Approve contracts
Director of Compliance and Operations Jeremiah David clarified a correction to page 6 on the agenda regarding the TadHealth Education EHR Software 3-Year Contract. The program referenced should be the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative program, not the SMAA Medi-Cal Fee program as stated in the agenda.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
E.
Approve revised 2024-25 Board & Committee Calendar
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
F.
Approve School Accountability Report Cards of School Year 2023-24
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
G.
Accept LACOE Governance & Instructional Program Reviews
Director of Compliance and Operations Jeremiah David clarified a minor update regarding the Instructional Program Review for ECHSG. This instructional review was not available at the time of the meeting for review and discussion and therefore will be included at the following board meeting.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
H.
Approve Special Education Individual Educational Evaluation (IEE) Policy
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
I.
Approve Alternate Diploma Pathway Policy
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
J.
Approve 12/9/2024 audit committee meeting minutes
Roll Call | |
---|---|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
V. Action Items
A.
Approve First Interim Financial Reports for ECHS-L, ECMS-I, ECMS-G, ECHS-G
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
B.
Approve ECS Fifth Amended Bylaws
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
C.
Approve FY 2023-24 Audit Report as Recommended by Audit Committee
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
VI. Upcoming Dates/Announcements
A.
Next ECS Board Meeting
Then next ECS regular board meeting will be on Thursday, February 27, 2024 at 5pm.
B.
Next ECS Committee Meetings
The next ECS committee meeting will be the Finance Committee on June 14, 2025, at 8:30 am through Zoom.
C.
Appreciations
The board opened the floor for appreciations:
• Board Member Denise Berger expressed gratitude to Board President Betsy Hamilton for her leadership in guiding the meeting.
• Board Member Kennedy Hilario shared appreciation for Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Danielle Kelsick, commending her for her enthusiasm and her ability to consistently guide the organization in the right direction.
• Board Member Zena Fong recognized Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Danielle Kelsick for her supportive leadership during Superintendent Farnaz Flechner’s absence.
VII. Transition to Closed Session
A.
Adjourn to Closed Session
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
VIII. Report Out of Closed Session
A.
Report Out
The board returned from closed session with nothing to report out.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Andrew Ellenbogen |
Absent
|
Herb Sims |
Absent
|
Dr. Denise Berger |
Aye
|
Kennedy Hilario |
Aye
|
LESD Representative |
Absent
|
Dr. Madhu Chatwani |
Absent
|
Anthony Jowid |
Aye
|
Zena Fong |
Aye
|
Jenina Ramirez |
Absent
|
Dr. Betsy Hamilton |
Aye
|
Mason Williams |
Aye
|
Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Danielle Kelsick shared with the board an opener with the following prompt: "What advice would you give to the first graduating class of Environmental Charter High School - Gardena?"