The January regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Dwight P. Mitchell 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

Communications
Board of Education trustees have received thank you notes from District staff in delight for the tokens of appreciation received during the holiday season.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the work session of December 4, 2001 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Robinson that the Minutes of the special meeting of December 7, 2001 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Robinson that the Minutes of the regular meeting of December 11, 2001 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the special meeting of December 21, 2001 be approved as printed.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that vendor payments in the amount of $1,982,090.72 be approved for payment.

Recognitions
In honor of Board of Education Appreciation Month, elementary and secondary students and staff gave special presentations that ranged from singing, student artwork, flowers and certificates during a Board of Education salute.

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education hereby suspends its waiver of purchasing procedures as outlined in Board Policy DJE, Section 9, during the timeline of March 20 – October 1, 2001, and said policy shall be reinstated immediately.

THAT the Board of Education, Benton Harbor Area Schools, meet in closed session on the following dates:

Tuesday, January 15, 2002 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, February 5, 2002 before and/or following
the work session of the Board of Education on that date,

at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area, 870 Colfax Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan, in said District for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel litigations, negotiations and possible expulsions.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education sell the property located at 4821 North Street to Berrien Investment Properties, LLC for $90,000.00 and further directs the Superintendent and legal counsel to implement a legal purchase agreement.

Instruction
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially approve the Fair Plain East Elementary School fourth grade class trip to Mackinac Island scheduled for May 20-22, 2002.

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mrs. Robinson:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially approve the McCord Renaissance, McCord Travelers, trip to New Mexico scheduled for May 5-10, 2002, and the expenditure of $2,500 from the Gifted and Talented funds to match the Upton Foundation Challenge Grant.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the retirement of Mr. Robert Catania be accepted and acknowledged and that a letter be sent to him thanking him for his services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the resignation of Ms. Christina Yoder be accepted and that a letter be sent to her thanking her for her services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Robinson:

THAT the resignation of Ms. Jane Ernsberger be accepted and that a letter be sent to her thanking her for her services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the following individuals be employed as professional teaching staff in the Benton Harbor Area Schools:

Other
President Mitchell disseminated a packet of information containing three proposals to assist in the search for a new superintendent. Trustees were asked to review the information and be prepared to make a decision on the final proposal that best fits the BHAS superintendent search needs at the February Board of Education work session.

Superintendent's Update
The BHHS Parents as Partners group met last night and local law enforcement officials presented excellent information designed to ensure BHAS student safety.

Michigan Public Schools are still waiting for information on state funding for the 2002-2003 school year.

Superintendent Williams will attend the Michigan Association of School Administrators annual conference scheduled for January 22-25, 2002.

Friday, January 18 is the last day of the 1^st semester of the 2001-2002 school year.

Public Participation II
Ms. Leuetta Neely addressed the Board of Education asking for reconsideration of her employment position at Calvin Britain Elementary School.

Mr. Harold Krull addressed the Board of Education expressing his concerns with District downsizing, building consolidations, employee recognition and administrative communication.

Ms. Lilly Bland addressed the Board of Education seeking approval for athletic participation for a BHHS student after serving an expulsion.

Student Alisia Harrin addressed the Board of Education in support of the reinstatement of Ms. Leuetta Neely at Calvin Britain Elementary School.

Ms. Freddie Carouthers addressed the Board of Education seeking approval for athletic participation for a BHHS student after serving an expulsion.

Student Michael Blanks addressed the Board of Education seeking support to organize a BHHS Winterfest Ball.

Board Comments
Trustee Peeples-Burks stated that anyone who pays union dues should consult with their union representative regarding employment issues. She addressed the issue of student expulsions and the consequences that students must face when making poor decisions. Dr. Peeples-Burks also mentioned the January 9^th issue of The Herald-Palladium that discussed the State of Michigan changing the MEAP tests to reduce budget costs.

Trustee Woltman affirmed that employment reduction issues are impacting this country nationwide and agreed that union employment concerns are to be addressed at the union level.

Trustee Smith explained that student expulsions are a direct result of violations of the Uniform Code of Discipline and the Michigan Revised School Code. She also thanked the students and staff for the excellent Board appreciation presentations.

Trustee Henry stated that expulsions are difficult to administer and gave thanks for the building presentations.

Trustee Mitchell made a reminder that the SAT tests will be administered at BHHS on Saturday, January 26, 2002.