Present: Ms. Carolyn Graves, Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks and Mr. Ken Woltman

Absent: Ms. Michelle Jones

Recognitions
In observance of January being School Board Member Recognition Month, Superintendent Williams read an executive declaration from Governor John Engler that praised Michigan's school board members for their dedication to public education. Each trustee received a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation. Student presentations will be given at the regular meeting to salute School Board Member Recognition Month.

Central Administration
As an informational item, Superintendent Williams updated the Board trustees as to the plaintiff's attorney fees in the desegregation case. Judge Hillman has set January 18 as a hearing date on the motions for bifurcation, on Leonard Stevens expert fees, and on the attorney fee petition for fees through June 1999.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a land easement request by Ameritech. Ameritech is seeking to place an equipment cabinet on Union Street near the southeast corner of the property and pay the District a one-time payment of $3,600.00.

Mr. Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a request from the Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary Club to use the Union Field to host the Carson and Barnes Circus performance on Saturday, June 16, 2001.

As an informational item, Mr. Mitchell discussed a proposal from the Seventrees Corporation to equip the District with their keyholding and alarm response service at a monthly administrative fee of $50.00 plus a response fee of $35.00.

Mr. Mitchell also disseminated, as informational items, copies of the 2000-2001 annual bus inspection results, the District energy usage comparison for 1999 and 2000 and a building project study as completed by The Abonmarche Group.

Trustee Mitchell commended the District mechanics and bus drivers for jobs well done in the bus inspections and suggested that they be presented with plaques of appreciation.

Instruction
The Information Technology Department Update was postponed until the February meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the adoption of the Teacher Technology Initiative Resolution. The State of Michigan proposed to contribute up to $1,200 per teacher to purchase laptop computers and related equipment and services for the approximately 90,000 eligible elementary and secondary classroom teachers in Michigan schools. In order to qualify for this funding, Boards of Education must adopt a Resolution indicating participation and compliance.

Mr. Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt new 4^th and 5^th grade elementary mathematics textbooks. Mrs. Carolyn Jones, Director of Curriculum, and math consultant Ms. Patricia Walton presented the recommended textbook series Everyday Math (formerly Chicago Math). The textbook series is endorsed by the National Science Foundation and the Michigan Department of Education as meeting all National and State mathematics standards.

Mr. Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve two new career/technical course offerings. Mrs. Carole Fetke, Director of Career and Technical Education, presented Dance I (beginning) and Broadcast Journalism (Convergent Media) as courses to be implemented in the BHHS Career Pathways Program of Studies for the 2001-2002 school year.

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

• Employment of Professional Teaching Staff
• Professional Staff Retiring
• Other

Other
Trustee Gladys Peeples-Burks discussed a recent Board Community and Public Relations meeting where she suggested adding an additional public participation section to the Board agenda designed to allow additional community input. Attorney Gavin suggested that the additional public participation section be added to the beginning of the agenda for agenda items only and the public participation section at end of the agenda be used for any school business.

Superintendent's Update
Superintendent Renee Williams extended sympathy to the family of Mr. James Ray, former District employee and community resident who recently passed away.

Sterne Brunson Elementary School staff will be presented with the Golden Apple Award on Monday, January 22, 2001.

Public Participation
Mr. Jeff Johnson addressed the Board of Education and asked what are the BHAS secondary educational plans and why the District current buildings are substandard. Mr. Johnson also suggested that Board minutes and the agenda be posted on the District web site.

BHHS student Michael Blanks addressed the Board of Education seeking a Board response for his previous requests and encouraged trustees to visit BHHS. Mr. Blanks also suggested that BHHS is in need of an additional band director.

Board Comments
Trustee Smith gave praise to her granddaughter, Imyn Burton, for being Athlete of the Week and to Boynton Montessori School for being School of the Week.

Trustee Mitchell questioned the status of the Benton Harbor Boys & Girls Club request to use Bard Elementary School.

Trustee Robinson questioned the excessive absence of BHHS Principal Jeffery Stewart.

There being no further business, the January work session was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.