MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
JANUARY 16, 2001

The January regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Carolyn Graves at 6:05 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

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

Minutes
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the work session of December 5, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Robinson that the Minutes of the regular meeting of December 19, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman that vendor payments in the amount of $1,433,497.87 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Activity of the General Fund was reviewed and accepted as presented.

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

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

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

Tuesday, January 16, 2001 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, February 6, 2001 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.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education grant Ameritech an easement on the Union Street property to place an equipment cabinet at the southeast corner.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Mr. Mitchell:

THAT the Board of Education grant the Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary Club permission to use Union Field to sponsor the Carson and Barnes Circus on Saturday, June 16, 2001.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Teacher Technology Initiative (TTI) Resolution, as outlined in Section 97 of the State Aid Act to confirm the District's participation and compliance.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the adoption of the following textbook series to enhance the District's K-6 instructional program:

TITLE PUBLISHER COPYRIGHT
Everyday Math Everyday Learning Corporation Second Edition, 2001

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Dance I (beginning) and Broadcast Journalism (Convergent Media) courses for the BHHS Career Pathways Program of Studies for the 2001-2002 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT Mr. Lazarus Bain be employed as an art teacher by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective 08/23/2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Juanita Ehrhardt be employed as an elementary teacher by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective 08/23/2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Alison Manley be employed as a secondary teacher by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective 08/23/2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT Mr. Ramsey Nichols be employed as a secondary social studies teacher by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective 08/23/2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT Ms. Tracy Washo be employed as an elementary teacher by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective 08/23/2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT Ms. Kelly Westgate be employed as an elementary teacher by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective 08/23/2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT Ms. Letitia Wilkins be employed as a secondary teacher by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective 11/06/00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Ms. Jones and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT Mrs. Diane Buczwinski's letter of retirement is accepted and a letter be sent to her thanking her for her years of service.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #15
A motion was made by Ms. Jones and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT Mr. Thomas Mitchell's letter of retirement is accepted and a letter be sent to him thanking him for his years of service.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Superintendent's Update
As an attempt to increase public participation, beginning with February 2001 Board meeting, the agenda will reflect an additional public participation section at the beginning of the meeting to allow discussion of agenda items.

Superintendent Renee Williams thanked each trustee for the opportunity to work with them to ensure quality education for all students of BHAS and as a token of appreciation in honor of Board Appreciation Month presented each trustee with a set of engraved glassware.

Board Comments
Board trustees extended their sincere appreciation to the students and staff for the special presentations given to them in recognition of Board of Education Appreciation Month.

Trustee Peeples-Burks praised the many community celebrations that have taken place in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

There being no further business, the January regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.