Absent: Mr. Waymon Hodges

Recognitions
BHHS graduate Angel Taylor briefly discussed her freshmen year at Michigan Technological University and attributed her achievements to the excellent academic opportunities she received while attending BHAS.

January is Board of Education Appreciation Month and Board members will receive a formal salute from each building at the regular meeting.

Business and Finance
Assistant Superintendent Mark Giffels reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the awarding of the petroleum products bid. Bids were opened on December 17, 1999 for the purchase of petroleum products for the 2000 calendar year.

Operations and Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the awarding of the solid waste disposal bid. Formal bids were received on December 18, 1998 for waste disposal services for the 1998-99 school year. The contract was for one year with two one-year renewal options. This is the first year of the renewal option.

Instruction
Ms. Carole Fetke, Director of Career and Technical Education, and Mr. John McGonigle, Director of K-12 Relations, Lake Michigan College, presented program information on the proposed Cosmetology Career/Technical course and the CISCO Networking Academy.

The Cosmetology Career/Technical course is proposed at Parker's Academy of Beauty, 995 East Main Street, Benton Harbor, Michigan. Upon completion of the two-year program, Parker's Academy will 1) provide documented training hours to the MI State Board of Cosmetology with a copy of students' grades and hours, 2) file the necessary form for Board certification, 3) pay all registration fees to the Michigan State Board of Examiners and 4) set a date for students' final exam. The student two-year cost is $6,000. The class is limited to 34 students with 26 currently enrolled.

The CISCO Networking Academy program is designed to teach high school and college students the skills needed to design, build and maintain computer networks. This four-semester program provides students the opportunity to enter the workforce and/or further their education and training in the computer-networking field. BHAS would be the fiscal agent for this course providing the instructor, CISCO networking lab components, textbooks and classroom supplies. Lake Michigan College would provide the facility as well as the computers, Internet access and the local area network. Interested students must be recommended by the CTE Director and complete the application process.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Cosmetology Career/Technical course.

Mr. Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the CISCO Networking Academy.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Assistant Superintendent Nora Jefferson reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the following action items:

• Employment of Professional Teaching Staff

Superintendent's Update
BHAS is featured in the recent Actionline article, "Excellence in the Classroom", a cover story on local school districts and community colleges.

BHAS and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR-UP) at Lake Michigan College have entered into a partnership with Fair Plain Junior High School. The GEAR-UP project is designed to help students overcome barriers and increase awareness of and readiness for college.

Students in the BHHS choir and their director were commended for an excellent pre-recorded holiday concert that aired on Christmas morning. Woltman Insurance Agency sponsored this special holiday performance.

Public Participation
Mr. Arthur Bullocks addressed the Board of Education asking if barbering was included in the proposed cosmetology course. Assistant Superintendent Garrison responded that barbering is included in the course.

Board Comments
Trustee Woltman commended Superintendent Williams for the excellent WSJM radio advertisements promoting BHAS.

Trustees extended their sincere condolences to the family of BHHS student Austin Lark.

Trustee Peeples-Burks encouraged Board members to view the Family Life videotapes. She and President Graves scheduled a Policy Committee meeting for Wednesday, January 12 at 2:30 p.m.

President Graves gave praise and recognition to Trustee Woltman, Woltman Insurance Agency, for his continued sponsorship in BHAS.

There being no further business, the January work session was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.