MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
JANUARY 4, 2005

President Ken Woltman called the January Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mr. Ken Woltman, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Anthony Henry, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Dr. Perry Davis and Mr. Robert L. Bowman

Absent:  Mr. Dan McGinnis

Also Present:  Student Board members Breanna Hill and Matthew Bradley

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps JROTC offered the Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Communications
Trustee Henry read a letter from State Board of Education President, Kathleen Straus who wrote in response to President Woltman's letter that questioned school state aid payments for expelled students.  The letter discussed certain requirements and the FTE of expelled students and referred to standards of auditing practices.

Recognitions
In honor of School Board Recognition Month Superintendent Dawning read a proclamation from Governor Granholm that urged all citizens to recognize and appreciate the many contributions School Board Members give to our children and communities.  Dr. Dawning also read a resolution from the State Board of Education that reflects the efforts of these board members who voluntarily tackle the enormous job of governing school districts and preserving the core of our democratic nation.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve District policy revisions/creations.  The Policy Committee has made a recommendation to revise/create the following policies:

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to accept a Board of Education trustee resignation. Trustee Gladys Peeples-Burks has formally submitted her notice of resignation from the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education, effective January 31, 2005.  Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks' official term expires June 30, 2005.

Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve bids for Telecommunications Services, Internet Access and Internal Connections for the 2005-2006 school year in compliance of the Universal Service Program/E-Rate guidelines.  Group Director for Informational Technologies Bill Kaeding provided the following information to the Board of Education on the Universal Service Program:

Telecommunications Services - two vendors submitted bids for cellular telephone service.  The approximate annual cost for fifty-four users would be $18,293, with anticipated E-Rate funding covering 90%.

Internet Access and Web Hosting - five vendors submitted bids for Internet service and web hosting.  The approximate cost would be $16,800 a year or $33,600 for two years with anticipated E-Rate funding covering 90%.

Internal Connections - every year the District has to renew the licensing agreement with Novell, Inc.  Total cost would be $11,875, with anticipated E-Rate funding covering 90%.

Network Hardware Maintenance and Technical Support - only one vendor submitted a bid.  Cost for the hardware service agreement is $23,742, and the cost for the basic network maintenance and support agreement is $10,050.  Total costs would be $33,792, with anticipated E-Rating funding covering 90%.

Wire and Cable Maintenance - two vendors submitted bids for wire and cable maintenance.  Total cost is $24,000, with anticipated E-Rate funding covering 90%.

Business and Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the resolution to Call the Regular School Election, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, 2005.

Operations & Facilities
The replacement of the transportation utility truck was withdrawn from the agenda.

Group Director for Operations & Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the amendments to the Skillman Corporation contract for Phase II of the Strategic Plan (locker room renovations) at the Benton Harbor High School.  Phase II is to commence in January 2005, and because of the complexities of demolition and renovations it is in the best interest of the District to retain the Skillman Corporation to mange this project to completion.  The extension will last six months from January through June 2005.

Instruction
As an informational item, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Instruction J. Leonard Wright reported that representatives from Michigan Middle Start were present to update the Board of Education on the Middle Start Comprehensive School Reform program.  Michigan Middle Start representatives, Nancy Fenton, Dennis Massingill, Mark Smith, Jan Munther and Kathy Dingwall disseminated a packet of information to the Board of Education.  Discussion included the proposed outcomes of having Board Trustees gain a greater understanding of the Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) and the shared responsibilities of the District, buildings and the model provider.  Documents reviewed included gains in student achievement in reading and math of Middle Start Schools versus comparison schools and the state average.  It was noted that gains in math and reading measures the changes in the percentage of students achieving at or above the state standard from 2003-2004.  Seventy percent of Middle Start school attained AYP in comparison to 52% of non-Middle Start schools.  Trustees questioned the Middle Start results, their accountability to schools and the restructuring plan at Fair Plain Middle School. 

Superintendent’s Update
The 1st semester of the 2004-2005 school year ends January 21, 2005, and common core student exams will be administered.

Invitations have been sent for community representation on the District's Blue Ribbon Finance and Facilities Committees.

Sorter Elementary and Fair Plain Middle Schools sustained frozen pipes due to the recent below zero temperatures.

The American Electric Power (AEP) grant is not available for renewal to fund the Benton Harbor Area Schools ChildNet program.

The federal government has reduced the monetary amount of the Smaller Learning Communities grant available to the District.

The Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test will be administered January 24 - February 11 and April 25 - May 6, 2005.

A cash flow analysis has been produced to monitor and meet District financial obligations.  The reserves of Benton Harbor Area Schools are at 3.5%, substantially below the recommended amount.

Board Comments
Student Board member Breanna Hill questioned the Title I math teacher position at Fair Plain Middle School and asked if Board trustees visit schools to identify any potential problems.

Student Board member Matthew Bradley commented that all teachers have different teaching styles and that negative student behavior is disruptive to the learning environment.

Trustee Henry wished good luck to the BHHS varsity men's basketball team for the 2004-2005 season.

There being no further business, the January work session was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.