MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
JANUARY 10, 2006

President J. Allene Smith called the January Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:11 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Dan McGinnis, Dr. Perry Davis, Mr. Anthony Henry (7:20), Mr. Ken Woltman, Mr. Robert Bowman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Also Present:  Student Board Members Samantha Gunter and Trenton Bowens

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

Communications
A moment of silence was conducted in memory of Food Service Director Jay Haynes’ father, who recently passed away.

Trustee Davis read an invitation from Lake Michigan College to attend a Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration scheduled for Monday, January 16, 2006.

Trustee Davis read a letter from the Michigan Liquor Commission regarding a hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2006, in Lansing to review the matter of a liquor license request from D&M Grocery Store.  In accordance with Section 503 of the Michigan Liquor Control Code, the commission will conduct a hearing based on objections filed by the District and the Full Gospel Christian Center Church.

Trustee Davis read an invitation from Student Board Member Trenton Bowens to attend a Martin Luther King, Jr./Rosa Parks Award Presentation scheduled for Sunday, January 15, 2006, at the Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church.  Student Board Member Bowens will be the recipient of the 2006 Youth Humanitarian Award.

Recognitions
Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education trustees were commended for their commitment to education, as January is School Board Recognition Month.

Praise and recognition was extended to Science Consultant Paul Lee and teacher Bob Lawrence for their excellent 2005 Science Enrichment Summer Program.  The Science Enrichment Summer Program was featured in Society of Automotive Engineers monthly newsletter A World in Motion News.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be required at the regular meeting to approve District policy additions/revisions.  The Policy Committee has made a recommendation to add the following policy:

GAP – Family and Medical Leave

Superintendent Dawning discussed the comprehensive package of legislation, referred to as the School Safety Initiative, which was signed into law by Governor Granholm in late September.  The 18 public acts comprising the School Safety Initiative amend various sections of the Revised School Code, the Michigan Teachers’ Tenure Act, the Sex Offenders Registration Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Child Care Organizations Act.  The initiative expands the situations in which criminal background checks must occur, requires better reporting and coordination of information exchanges when personnel are charged with and/or convicted of criminal activity and prohibits registered sex offenders from getting too close to school property.

Technology
Group Director for Informational Technologies Bill Kaeding reported that Board action would be required at the regular meeting to approve E-Rate Telecommunications Services and E-Rate Internal connections.  During the month of November the Technology Division put out for bid Telecommunications Services and Internal Connections for the 2006-2007 school year in compliance of the Universal Service Program/E-Rate guidelines.  Bids included Centrex service, cellular telephone service, Novell Network Operating System licenses, network hardware maintenance, technical support, network hardware, and wire/cable maintenance.

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo introduced Certified Public Accountants Jeff Dorn and Tracy Althouse, representatives of the accounting firm Plante & Moran, who presented the BHAS Audit Report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2005.  Items of discussion included General Fund Equity, General Fund Revenue and Expenditures and Operating Transfers.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the regular school election resolution, which designates what is to be voted upon at the regular school election that is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2, 2006.  Items to be voted on include filling one or more Board positions and the operating millage renewal.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to extend the Cornerstone Energy (natural gas) contract.  A one-year contract with Cornerstone Energy was entered into in January 2005 and the District has recognized considerable savings for the cost of the purchase of gas.  The proposed contract is for 2006.  Coordinator of Maintenance Mike Brennand and Cornerstone Energy representative, Denise Emery presented an overview of the District’s 2005 savings of natural gas.  The presentation included the two latest hurricane’s impact on prices and natural gas supply, along with next year’s supply.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to award the Television Studio Equipment bid.  The Media Communications class, a PA56 class, at the Career/Technical Center, is open to all Berrien County students.  Benton Harbor Area Schools receives tuition from these out-of-district students.  Due to the outdated, non-efficient equipment currently available, it is necessary to purchase up-to-date, state of the art, digital video/audio components to bring our newly renovated studio into the 21st Century.  Director of Career and Technical Education Carole Fetke and teacher Hosea Turner were present to answer any questions.

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

Superintendent’s Update
Today the District was notified that Mr. Curtis Lee, a long term District bus driver has passed away and information of his funeral will be forthcoming.

Benton Harbor Area Schools Stump Academy has officially opened and a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony has been scheduled for 5:00 pm Wednesday, February 15, 2006.

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony has been scheduled for the BHHS Television Studio for 4:00 pm Tuesday, February 28, 2006.

The State Budget Office closed the books on fiscal year 2005 with a surplus in the General Fund (GF) and the School Aid Fund (SAF). There is $220 million in the GF and $98 million in the SAF. This represents an increase of $100 million in the GF and $53 million for the SAF.  Legislation is pending on the allocation of the SAF reserves $18.5 million for a middle school math initiative and $16.5 million for closing the equity gap in school districts receiving less than $7,200 per pupil.  We are eligible for both if the legislation passes.  The District would certainly benefit from the additional funds if HB 5436 and 5452 should be approved.

January 27, 2006 is the last day of the 1st semester of the 2005-2006 school year.

Benton Harbor High School Freshman Academy student Mark Hankton is home and expected to make a full recovery from his tragic incidence.  Members of the Huron Freshman Basketball Team recently took up a monetary collection for him.

Public Participation
Mrs. Angelika MacGowan, on behalf of the Teachers Association, addressed the Board of Education reiterating a proposal for Board trustees and the teachers association to meet, without labor attorneys, to discuss and resolve District issues and concerns.  Superintendent Dawning responded that management team and the union officials do meet weekly and that the Board of Education is not part of the day-to-day operations of the District.

Board Comments
Student Board member Trenton Bowens praised the Meal Tracker Point of Sale (POS) system recently installed at the high school.

Student Board member Stephanie Gunter congratulated Mr. Paul Lee and Mr. Bob Lawrence for their outstanding science influence on students.

Trustee Fort stated that the District is on a positive road with excellent programs and that Benton Harbor Area Schools does not have the problems as larger city school systems.

Trustee Bowman commended the Career/Tech television station, the natural gas contract with Cornerstone Energy and the Shop with a Cop program.  Mr. Bowman encouraged the management team and the teachers union to meet with an open mind.

Trustee Woltman stated that Board of Education duties do not include hiring and firing of employees, other than the Superintendent of Schools.  The Board of Education is not involved in contract negotiations and day-to-day District operations.  Any concerns should be brought to the attention of the appropriate personnel.

Trustee Henry discussed his visit to Lansing regarding the MEAP tests and acknowledged his pleasure with the opening of the Career/Tech television studio.

Trustee Davis expressed his encouragement with Board comments, the District’s direction of operation and the opening of Stump Academy.  The District will continue to closely monitor the finances to close the financial gap.

Trustee McGinnis stated that he was in favor of the Board of Education meeting with the teachers union to listen to their concerns, stating that both sides must be fair and honest.

Trustee Smith commended the contract with Cornerstone Energy for natural gas purchases and the savings to the District.

There being no further business, the January work session was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.