Ms. Mariellen Webster led the Board members and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America (USA).

1. Peter Glassman 
 

• Peter Glassman introduced himself as a parent with children who have participated in ECR baseball and softball.
• He expressed his support for the ECR coaches, describing them as people with integrity, honor, and the students’ best interests in mind.
• Peter read a statement on behalf of ECR baseball coach Chad Boyd, who could not attend because he was working with his nine-year-old Prospects baseball team.

• Chad is an ECR alumnus, attending from 2000–2004.
• He shared that baseball played a major role in shaping his life, teaching him:
  • Discipline
  • Accountability
  • Resilience
  • Competition
  • Teamwork
• After graduating, Chad was drafted by Major League Baseball and played professionally for four years in the Oakland Athletics organization.
• He now owns a business that employs hundreds of people and supports the U.S. military and defense.
• He returned to ECR to mentor and support the next generation of student-athletes.

• Chad is part owner of the Prospects organization with fellow ECR alumnus Greg Paschel.
• The program serves multiple age groups and helps young athletes prepare for high school baseball and beyond.
• Chad emphasized that the Prospects program is not affiliated with any specific high school.
• Former Prospects players have gone on to attend ECR and other high schools.

• Chad stated that the coaches:
  • Completed the required training and certifications.
  • Received their CPR cards.
  • Submitted their documentation to the person responsible for overseeing athletics.
  • Were subsequently cleared to coach.
• He questioned why coaches are now being targeted a year later if they followed the process they were instructed to follow.
• He argued that it does not make sense to believe coaches with years of commitment to students would intentionally circumvent a CPR requirement.
• He urged the Board to determine where the process or oversight failed rather than placing blame solely on the coaches.

• Chad asked the Board to:
  • Investigate any broader failures in oversight or certification procedures.
  • Fix the certification process if it was flawed.
  • Improve oversight if there were administrative failures.
  • Clarify policies if they were unclear.
• He cautioned the Board against making the coaches the “low-hanging fruit” instead of addressing the underlying issues.

• Chad emphasized that the ongoing situation is:
  • Taking valuable time away from players and coaches.
  • Causing families to lose confidence.
  • Damaging a baseball program that took years to build.
• He urged the Board to stop punishing the students for the situation.

• Chad reminded the new Board that the community elected them to provide change, transparency, accountability, and leadership that listens.
• He emphasized that the decision should ultimately be about the students—not the coaches, investigators, or administration.
• Main request: Bring the coaches back and allow them to continue mentoring and supporting the students.
• Chad concluded by sharing that he does not need the coaching position but chooses to volunteer his timebecause he wants to give students the same purpose and opportunities that baseball gave him.
  
  2. Speaker

Opposed bringing David Hussey back to help address the current situation at El Camino.

• Questioned how someone who was in leadership during the period of crisis could be brought back to help resolve it.
• Characterized his leadership legacy as contributing to the problems the campus is now trying to correct.
• Expressed concern about his judgment and leadership during the previous administration.

Supported reinstating Ryan Guinto, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Camp.

• Stated that personal or financial concerns should not change the facts surrounding their situations.
• Requested that Ryan Guinto be returned to his position, or that the position be reopened if necessary.
• Requested that Mr. Jones be restored to his supervisory role.
• Requested that Mr. Camp be brought back as an administrator.

Mr. Camp’s performance and professionalism.

• Described him as professional, respectful, thoughtful, and capable of making sound decisions.
• Stated that there were no negative performance reviews cited against him.
• Argued that any legitimate performance concerns should have been documented and addressed through HR, rather than used later to justify a retaliatory decision.

Mr. Camp’s leadership

• Said Mr. Camp was the only administrator who stood up to the previous Board Chair and contacted the Charter School Division to file a formal complaint.
• Credited him with bringing stability to the Dean’s Office when it was experiencing significant disorder and high suspension rates.
• Said he later returned to the Dean’s Office and again helped restore stability and functionality after concerns arose under Sasha Andres’ leadership.

Emphasized that the issue is about facts and leadership, not personal relationships.

• Stated that the Board should recognize individuals who stepped up when the campus needed them.
• Said Mr. Camp effectively put his job on the line and suffered consequences for doing so.

3. Speaker
Public Comment – Parent Concerns and Board Accountability

New parent expressed concern about the current state of ECR.

• Shared that joining the school as a new parent has been distressing due to the ongoing issues and uncertainty.
• Emphasized that the situation affects not only athletics but the broader school community.

Raised concerns about responsibility for CPR certification compliance.

• Compared the situation to a law firm being responsible for ensuring employees maintain required professional licenses.
• Suggested that school leadership and administration should have systems in place to track certifications and notify staff before requirements expire.
• Questioned whether responsibility for the CPR issue rests with individual coaches, Mr. Wright, the Executive Director, or other administrators responsible for oversight.

Expressed concern about board engagement and parent involvement.

• Noted the relatively small number of parents attending despite the school having nearly 3,000 students.
• Questioned the absence of some Board members and emphasized that Board members have an important responsibility to remain engaged.
• Encouraged greater parent participation and involvement in the school.

Urged the Board to work closely with legal counsel.

• Acknowledged that the Board may face legal and financial risks when making decisions about personnel.
• Encouraged the Board to ask counsel not only what actions should be avoided, but how the situation can legally be resolved.
• Supported acting as quickly as possible while following appropriate legal guidance.

Recognized the impact on students beyond athletics.

• Said the ongoing situation is affecting students who are not involved in sports as well.
• Shared that his daughter was affected by the situation surrounding sports tryouts.
• Emphasized that students are watching their classmates struggle and that the matter should be taken seriously.

4. Dan Flynn

Dan Flynn introduced himself as a Woodland Hills resident and parent of four ECR graduates:

• Gil – Class of 2018
• Joey – Class of 2019
• Kareem – Class of 2021
• Josh – Class of 2022

• Acknowledged that the Board is dealing with a complicated legal situation.
• Encouraged the Board to move toward a resolution and reinstatement.

• Expressed strong disapproval of the former chair’s actions and comments regarding the affected coaches.
• Questioned the former leadership’s accountability for the situation.
• Coach Jason Grider: Praised for his character as a father, husband, teacher, and coach.
• Coach Eric Choi: Described as a respected coach who has positively influenced students and athletes.
• Coach Josh Leinhard: Shared personal experience with him as a coach and teacher, describing him as thoughtful, genuine, and professional.

• Stated that the coaches have contributed positively to students’ lives and experiences at ECR.
• Expressed concern that the situation has affected their careers, livelihoods, and reputations.
• Requested that the Board reinstate all three coaches—Eric Choi, Jason Grider, and Josh Leinhard—to both their teaching and coaching positions.

5. Aja

• Aja identified herself as an English teacher and UTLA financial secretary.
• Spoke in support of reinstating Ryan Guinto and reopening the Director of Technology position.
• Requested that the Board reinstate Ryan without requiring him to go through the standard hiring process again.
• Shared that Ryan has been unemployed since February and has traveled significant distances for multiple job interviews across Southern California.
• Described the personal and professional impact of Ryan’s unemployment, including time away from his family and newborn granddaughter.
• Stated that Ryan has also experienced harm to his career, professional relationships, and personal well-being.
• Asserted that the situation resulted from the former Executive Director’s handling of concerns Ryan had raised regarding alleged unethical activity by the CBO.
• Requested that the Board appoint Ryan Guinto as Director of Student and Staff Technology as soon as possible.

6. Jill December

• Parent of seniors in the baseball and theater programs raised concerns about the impact of current school issues on students.
• Emphasized that academics and athletics should both be supported, noting that sports can provide important college opportunities.
• Said the coaches’ continued absence is affecting students, especially seniors currently in their college recruiting window.
• Questioned why the Board continues to act on allegations made by the former Board Chair while the investigation remains ongoing.
• Urged the Board to bring the coaches back and avoid allowing students to lose valuable opportunities.
• Raised concerns about reported damage to the baseball field from a Netflix production.
• Requested transparency regarding insurance claims, repair funding, responsibility for repairs, and the repair timeline.
• Reported that nails and screws may remain in the playing area, creating potential student safety and liability concerns.
• Asked the Board to address the field damage promptly and provide clear answers and a repair date.

7. Scott Downey 

• Parent of an ECR freshman, shared how the coaches’ absence has personally affected his family.
• Said his son chose ECR largely because of his baseball coaches, mentors, and friends connected to the California Prospects program.
• Shared that baseball has been an important outlet and source of stability for his son.
• Reported that his son has missed six days of school and has experienced increased difficulty attending school since the coaches were placed on leave.
• Expressed frustration that the coaches were placed on leave over concerns involving CPR certifications.
• Stated that the coaches have since obtained the required certifications and questioned why they remain on leave while the investigation continues.
• Requested that the students’ coaches, teachers, and mentors be reinstated.
• Said his family is considering other school options because of the continuing situation.
• Warned that other families may also leave ECR if the baseball coaching staff moves elsewhere.
• Emphasized that the coaches are an important reason some students and families choose to attend ECR.
• Urged the Board to consider the impact of its decisions on student-athletes and the overall baseball program before making its decision.

8. Justin Graham 

• Justin Graham, a college and career counselor and ECR alumnus/family member, spoke about concerns regarding school leadership and administration.
• Said he had previously been hesitant to speak publicly because of concerns about retaliation or being targeted by former leadership.
• Raised allegations concerning former CBO Fernando Delgado, including claims of:
  • Financial benefit from academic and attendance programs developed or purchased by ECR.
  • More than $600,000 in reported transactions over approximately five years.
  • Multiple promotions into leadership positions despite, according to the speaker, limited business experience.
• Claimed that programs associated with Delgado, including MyClass, ECRIQ, and SMR, created additional work and confusion for counselors.
• Stated that ECR may have been used as a testing environment for programs that were later marketed to other schools.
• Expressed concern that existing Aeries/Aeries Analytics tools were not fully utilized despite their ability to support:
  • Digital document submission.
  • Student data analysis.
  • Identification of students needing additional academic or emotional support.
• Suggested that counselors or the technology department should receive training on Aeries and Aeries Analytics to better serve students.
• Concluded that, in his view, Fernando Delgado should not return to ECR’s payroll or management.

9. Cara Blumfield

• ECR Class of 1999 graduate, teacher, coach, and longtime stakeholder, spoke about financial stability and responsible decision-making.
• Said she previously raised concerns with HR but felt intimidated and believed her concerns were not adequately addressed.
• Expressed concern that ECR is currently operating without a Chief Business Officer (CBO).
• Urged the Board to pause adding new administrative positions until the school’s financial leadership and operations are stabilized.
• Questioned the cost of maintaining multiple employees on paid administrative leave (PAL) while teacher and staff positions have been reduced.
• Emphasized that the school should prioritize financial stability and responsible use of limited resources.
• Urged the Board to focus on charter renewal and addressing all outstanding notices of concern before expanding the administrative structure.
• Asked the Board to resolve the situation involving Fernando Delgado before making additional administrative decisions.
• Proposed the following priorities:
  • Stabilize the school’s finances.
  • Establish appropriate financial leadership.
  • Reinstate Jason Grider, Josh Leinhard, and Eric Choi to their teaching positions.
  • Successfully complete the charter renewal process.
  • Delay expansion of the administrative structure until these priorities are addressed.
• Emphasized that students and staff deserve fiscal responsibility, stability, and accountability.

10. Speaker

• Acknowledged that the new Board initially needed time to review the facts and understand the situation.
• Stated that six weeks into the school year, the Board has had sufficient time to review the issues and hear from students, parents, coaches, and teachers.
• Questioned who was responsible for reviewing and approving the coaches’ certifications.
• Stated that the coaches submitted their certifications and received approval, and questioned why the coaches are being held responsible.
• Urged the Board to bring the coaches back, noting the impact their absence has had on students and athletes.
• Raised concerns about campus security, stating that safety concerns have continued for six weeks.
• Referenced reports of sexual harassment, an intoxicated security guard, and teachers expressing concerns about feeling unsafe.
• Called for the Board to take immediate action to improve campus safety and security.
• Requested greater transparency and communication from the Board regarding ongoing issues.
• Clarified that parents are not asking for confidential information, but want to know:
  • The current status of the issues.
  • What actions are being taken.
  • What the next steps are.
  • When the community can expect updates.
• Expressed frustration with repeatedly being told that there is “no decision” or that the Board will provide information later.
• Urged the Board to recognize the community’s concerns and provide clearer communication and accountability.

11. Speaker

• Student speaker shared a long family connection to ECR, including relatives who attended the school.
• Praised the baseball coaches for their dedication, mentorship, and willingness to support students beyond their required duties.
• Shared that the coaches have supported students through difficult personal circumstances and demonstrated genuine concern for their well-being.
• Highlighted the baseball program’s accomplishments, including giving students opportunities to participate at Dodger Stadium.
• Raised serious concerns about campus security and student safety.
• Reported that students have made multiple reports involving sexual assault and other safety concerns, but feel that their complaints have not received adequate follow-up.
• Said students continue to feel unsafe on campus and urged the Board to take action on repeated reports.
• Asked the Board to investigate concerns about security-camera access, including whether former leadership or individuals connected to former leadership may still have access remotely.
• Expressed opposition to bringing David Hussey back, based on the speaker’s experiences during teacher strikes and concerns about his response to teachers and students.
• Emphasized that school leadership should support teachers and prioritize student welfare.
• Praised ECR’s academic programs and teachers, including the support provided to students with different learning needs.
• Stated that teachers have a difficult but important role and deserve strong support from school leadership.
• Urged the Board to listen to students, address safety concerns, support teachers, and prioritize the best interests of students.

12. Heidi Cropper

• Identified herself as an ECR parent, teacher of 28 years, and alumna.
• Thanked the Board for listening to parents and expressed concerns about the school’s legal support and guidance.
• Raised concerns about the condition of classrooms and campus facilities following the Netflix production.
  • Said custodial staff had to perform additional work, including painting, to prepare the campus.
  • Expressed appreciation for the custodial staff and the work they performed.
  • Raised concerns about how custodial employees were treated during the production.
• Expressed strong support for Ryan Guinto’s potential return, describing him as kind, patient, gracious, and supportive of teachers.
• Supported Mr. Jones’ return, describing him as professional, kind, and well-regarded by staff.
• Expressed reservations about Jason Camp returning, stating that she experienced or witnessed workplace interactions she considered harsh and discouraging.
• Said staff members, particularly women, had previously felt uncomfortable or unsafe raising concerns.
• Raised concerns about the lack of a clear administrator evaluation process and said staff had repeatedly asked how administrators were evaluated.
• Described experiences involving yelling, belittling, and dismissive responses when staff attempted to provide feedback.
• Stated that some staff members believed certain administrators benefited from support from former Board leadership.
• Encouraged the Board to speak with staff and administrators across different departments to hear a range of experiences before making personnel decisions.
• Urged the Board to use the current transition as an opportunity for a fresh start, rebuilding trust and creating a culture where staff feel respected, supported, and safe to raise concerns.

13. Erin Sanders

• Erin Sanders thanked the Board for recent leadership changes and welcomed greater community participation.
• Shared that she has been involved with ECR for several years as a parent, PAC/SSC member, and community advocate.
• Said she chose to speak about the former aquatics program and student scholarship funds.
• Explained that the aquatics program was eliminated after a former security guard was given a coaching position and later stepped down.
• Said student-athletes had previously been told that funds they raised would be used for scholarships for remaining athletes after the program ended.
• Reported that the scholarships were later discontinued with little notice, leaving students confused and seeking assistance.
• Shared that a purchase order for gift bags for the former students has now been processed and approved, with support from local business Kennedy’s.
• Said approximately $8,000 remains to be determined, with some students requesting that the funds be returned to student activities so more ECR students can benefit.
• Expressed frustration over lack of responses to repeated emails sent to school and Board leadership regarding the issue.
• Said she supports the recent leadership changes but recognizes that meaningful change will take time and require patience.
• Expressed concern that ECR has historically been operated more like a business than a school focused on students.
• Praised ECR’s teachers, faculty, maintenance staff, and Mr. Gonzalez for their continued hard work and dedication.
• Raised questions about money received from the Netflix production, including whether the funds went to ECR or LAUSD.
• Encouraged the Board to pursue a fresh start and broader changes while keeping students’ interests at the center.

14. Speaker

• Expressed concern about ECR’s financial management and legal expenses.
• Reported seeing two checks of approximately $125,000 each for legal fees.
• Questioned whether significant legal spending could instead support teaching positions and educational needs.
• Raised concerns about potential additional legal costs from employment-related lawsuits.
• Suggested that resolving personnel matters and reinstating individuals where appropriate could help reduce future legal expenses.
• Emphasized that saving money on legal costs would allow more resources to be directed toward education and students.
• Thanked the new Board for stepping into its leadership roles and encouraged continued patience, communication, and collaboration.

• School-sponsored overnight trip: Musical Theater Competition of America (MTCA).
• Dates: February 4–7, 2027.
• Location: Garden Grove, California.
• Supervising Teacher: Heidi Hutson.
• The trip would normally be reviewed by the Travel Committee.
• Due to recent Board resignations, the Travel Committee was unable to obtain a quorum for timely approval.
• A payment is due the following day, so the request was brought directly to the full Board.
• Ms. Hutson has completed the required paperwork.
• The trip has already received administrative-level approval.
• Because the trip is overnight, full Board approval is required.

The board entered the closed session at 6:37 PM on the 14th of September, 2026.

The board reconvene the open session at 8:25 PM on the 14th of September, 2026.

• Board stated that Executive Session discussions are confidential and therefore could not be reported out at that time.
• Board members said they have been actively working to address the ongoing issues.
• Reported consulting with legal counsel and administrators and conducting additional research.
• Emphasized that the Board is working toward resolving the outstanding concerns.
• Expressed their commitment to ECR and the school community.
• Assured the community that the Board will continue working on these matters.

• Board consideration: Whether to reopen and fund a Campus Aide Senior position.
• The position was previously closed in late February.
• Ms. Mariellen Webster presented the item to the Board.
• The position discussed is the Campus Aide Senior position.
• The position is identified as the position by Mr. Daughtry Jones.

• Board consideration: Whether to reopen and fund the Director of Student and Teacher Technology position.
• Ms. Mariellen Webster presented the item for Board consideration and action.
• The position is identified as the position by Mr. Ryan Guinto.
• The Board is being asked to consider opening and funding the position.