MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
FEBRUARY 1, 2005

President Ken Woltman called the February Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:10 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mr. Ken Woltman, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Robert L. Bowman, Mr. Dan McGinnis and Mrs. Carolyn Fort 

Absent:  Mr. Anthony Henry and Dr. Perry Davis

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

Communications
Trustee Smith read a thank you letter from Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks that extended her appreciation for the parting gifts and the opportunity to serve as a trustee on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education.

Recognitions
Recognition was given to all District Principals, as February 13-19, 2005 is Principal's Week in Michigan.

February is designated as Black History Month and various celebrations will take place in each school.

Congratulations were extended to student Board member Breanna Hill for being a finalist in the Miss Benton Harbor Contest held Saturday, January 22, 2005.

Newly appointed trustee Carolyn Fort was welcomed to the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve District policy revisions/creations.  The Policy Committee has made a recommendation to revise/create the following policies:

• GAC - Recruitment (new)

• GAC - R - Recruitment Rules and Regulations (new)

• CGC - Administrative Personnel Recruitment (revised)

• GBC - Professional Personnel Recruitment (revised)

• GCC - Nonprofessional Personnel Recruitment/Hiring (revised)

• GCD - Nonprofessional Personnel Recruitment/Hiring (revised)

• GDC - Paraprofessional Personnel Recruitment/Hiring (revised)

• GDD - Paraprofessional Personnel Recruitment/Hiring (revised)

• GEC - Non-Bargaining Unit Personnel Recruitment/Hiring (revised)

• GED - Non-Bargaining Unit Personnel Recruitment/Hiring (revised)

Trustee McGinnis suggested that the language of recruitment/hiring be uniform amongst the proposed policies.

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Lakehouse Evaluation, Inc. Agreement.  The proposed agreement would be entered into by the Lakehouse Evaluation, Inc. and the District from December 8, 2004 through August 26, 2005, to provide a comprehensive research study and program evaluation for the Benton Harbor Area Community-School ChildNet program at a cost of $15,250.00.  The Benton Harbor Area Community-School ChildNet is a partnership of families, government, business, schools, faith-based and community nonprofit organizations formed to provide support for the human and social needs of children attending Benton Harbor’s priority schools, enabling higher levels of learning and achievement.

Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Capstone Family Center Agreement. The proposed agreement would be entered into by the Capstone Family Center and the District to provide non-educational services like health care, nutrition and family support services to the MLK Elementary School.  The District is in collaboration with Governor Jennifer Granholm's Children Action Network (CAN), a networking of state agencies working collaboratively to better support and serve the students of the District.  School-Linked Family Resource Centers have been established to help high priority schools improve student achievement.

Business and Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting approve the agreements for reasonable expenses relating to the collection of the 2005 summer school property taxes.  An agreement has been reached with five of the eight taxing units located within the District boundaries to collect summer taxes.

Operations & Facilities
Group Director for Operations & Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to award the bids for Phase II of the strategic plan renovations.  Formal bids were received on January 18, 2005, for the Phase II renovations that include the high school locker rooms, renovation of the high school television studio and the creation of a media center at MLK Elementary School.  The recommendation is for the lowest bidders of the general trades construction, mechanical construction and electrical construction.  Representatives from The Skillman Corporation were present to answer any questions.

Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to award the bid for asbestos abatement at Stump School.  Formal bids were received on January 20, 2005, to remove the spray-on ceilings containing asbestos.  District Consultants Villa Environmental has recommended that the 2^nd to the lowest bid be approved.

Group Director for Operations & Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to award a bid to purchase a transportation utility truck.  The current transportation utility truck is fifteen years old and is in need of costly repairs.  Numerous quotes have been received from local dealerships and it recommended that the Board accept the lowest bid.

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:

• Possible Recall of Professional Staff

• Request for Leave of Absence

• Possible Resignation of Professional Staff

Consent
Board action will be requested at the regular meeting to accept the following donations/grants to the Benton Harbor Area Schools:

• $1000 Donation from Modern Woodmen of America to CAA/G&T Academy

• $101,953 Safe and Drug Free School and Communities Act Grant

• $23,000 Whirlpool Foundation Grant to HOSTS Mentoring Program

• $1431.67 Berrien County Resource Recovery Grant to MLK

• $300 Donation from Whirlpool Corporation to CAA/G&T Academy

• $325 Donation from City of Benton Harbor Mayor & Employees to Sterne Brunson

• $100 Toys For Tots Donation from Commissioner Eddie Marshall to Sterne Brunson

Other
President Woltman acknowledged the proposal from Trustee McGinnis to establish a Chess Club for all District students beginning in the 2005-2006 school year.

Superintendent’s Update
Invitation letters to serve on the District's Finance and Facilities Blue Ribbon Committees have been sent to community residents.

A ChildNet press conference was held at Hull Middle School today with Marianne Udow, State Director of Family Independence Agencies.  Two parents spoke highly of the ChildNet program giving their testimony of success with their children and the positive outcomes with the program.

The Michigan Department of Education has forecasted an increase of at least $150 per student in State Aid funding for the 2005-2006 school year.

Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction Thomas Watkins has resigned from office effective March 9, 2005 and also the Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools has resigned, as his contract was not renewed.

A Public Hearing is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons for the proposal to close Sterne Brunson Elementary School.

The second semester of the 2004-2005 school year is underway.

A candidate who wishes to seek a position on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board must file a nominating petition and an Affidavit of Identity no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 with Carolyn Phillips, Assistant Election Coordinator for Benton Harbor Area Schools District.  Petition and affidavit forms are available at the office of the Benton Charter Township Clerk, 1725 Territorial Road, Suite B, Benton Harbor, Mi.

The Public Relations Community Dialogue is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2005, at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

A speedy recovery was extended to BHHS student Wilson Chandler, as he has hurt his ankle during basketball practice.

Public Participation
Ms. Tracy Pierce addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns with staff losing their jobs due to the closing of schools and questioned the purchasing of District cell phones.

Ms. Juanita Lewis addressed the Board of Education extending her appreciation to the trustees for their vital roles in educating children.  Ms. Lewis questioned why students are not allowed to bring home schoolbooks and why school hall monitors were replaced by police officers.

Miss Julisa Willis addressed the Board of Education questioning the ban of student cell phones in school and the policy on student uniforms.

Board Comments
Trustee McGinnis extended his appreciation for the public comments and announced that he is the proud father of a newborn baby boy born yesterday.

Trustee Fort expressed her happiness to serve on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education and that she is eager to learn and assist the District.

Trustee Bowman stated that the Benton Harbor Boys & Girls Club has opened the First Tee program and he extended his appreciation for the breakfast at the Career/Technical Center.

Trustee Smith discussed the honorary program for her at Fair Plain West Elementary School and the wonderful afternoon spent at Martindale Elementary School.

Trustee Woltman gave thanks to the Creative Arts/Gifted & Talented Academy for the breakfast in honor of school board recognition month.

There being no further business, the February work session was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.