President Dwight P. Mitchell called the January work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:10 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Present: Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell, Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks and Mr. Ken Woltman

Absent: Ms. Michelle Jones

Recognitions
In recognition of Board Appreciation Month, praise was extended to the trustees for their hard work and dedication. Third graders from Sterne Brunson Elementary School sang songs and displayed school posters.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the sale of Millburg property. One bid was received in the amount of $90,000.00 from Berrien Investment Properties, LLC, at a sealed bid opening held on Friday, January 4, 2002.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a two-day excursion to Mackinac Island for fourth grade students at Fair Plain East Elementary scheduled for May 2002. Students will be involved in a variety of fundraisers to offset costs with any balance being covered by grant money. Mr. Victor Morris, Principal at Fair Plain East School, was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a McCord Renaissance educational excursion. The McCord Travelers have proposed their annual historical field trip to New Mexico on May 5-10, 2002. The tour would consist of forty 7^th and 8^th graders and six chaperones at a cost of $200 per student with fundraisers, grants and donations covering the remaining tour cost. Mr. Don Pearson, teacher at McCord, was present to answer any questions.

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

• Professional Staff Retiring
• Professional Staff Resigning
• Employment of Professional Staff
• Other

Other
On behalf of the Policy and Discipline Board of Education Committee, Trustee Peeples-Burks requested that the reinstatement of purchasing procedures be added to the regular agenda. At a special meeting on March 19, 2001, the Board of Education, upon recommendation of the Business and Finance Department, adopted a resolution waiving the purchasing procedures as outlined in Board Policy DJE, Section 9, during the designated timeline of March 20 - October 1, 2001, to authorize the purchase of items in view of circumstances presented for the implementation of the Middle School transition plan.

Public Participation II
Mr. Jeff Johnson addressed the Board of Education suggesting that any student excursions proposed for the next school year be limited due to operating budget restraints.

Mrs. Christine Sherene addressed the Board of Education stating that the District is in need of an alternative educational setting. She questioned if BHAS owned the property that housed the former junior high school suggesting that location would be an ideal site for an alternative program.

Mr. Michael Blanks addressed the Board of Education asking if trustees would meet with the BHHS Student Senate to discuss an alternative educational setting.

Board Comments
Trustee Woltman stated that the Board of Education does not expel students because of dislike but rather due to student misconduct and mandated state regulations.

Trustee Smith announced that the BHHS Parents As Partners group have scheduled a meeting to be held in the student commons for 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 14, 2002, to discuss student safety issues with local law enforcement. All parents are encouraged to attend.

Trustee Henry agreed that BHAS is in need of an alternative educational setting and stated that the Board of Education is investigating alternative solutions.

Trustee Mitchell reflected on his recent visit to Hull Middle School and commended all teachers for their hard work, which often goes unspoken.