President J. Allene Smith called the February work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:17 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell and Dr. Perry Davis

Absent:  Mrs. Michelle Bennett

Also Present:  Student Board member Brett Closson

Recognitions
A press conference was held prior to the work session to recognize the BHAS Career Pathways Program. The Benton Harbor Area Schools was awarded the 2003 Governor's Excellence in Practice Award for its K-12 Career Pathways system today at the Governor's Conference on Career Development in Grand Rapids. The Governor's Excellence in Practice Award recognizes the best achievements in preparing students for careers. An excellent practice is expected to be part of a comprehensive Career Development System, in which educators and employers collaborate to meet the challenge of preparing students for successful careers. An excellent practice is one that produces important and measurable results for students, works best in the community for preparing students for careers, demonstrates partnerships between educators and employers, and is sustained in a significant and integrated manner within the local educational system or community.

School Volunteer Leader Jean Sanders commended the Benton Harbor Area Schools for an increase in the Southwest Michigan United Way campaign. The District was awarded a Most Improved Campaign plaque at the United Way Awards Ceremony held on January 23, 2003.

In honor of February being Black History month, schools will host various black history educational programs.

Mr. Victor Morris, Principal of Sorter Elementary School, presented his school report, via a PowerPoint presentation, that included information on special needs classrooms (POHI), Berrien County Intermediate School District support staff and activities per grade level. Student activities offered include Project Tiger, Star and Accelerated Reader programs, Continuous Progress and the HOSTS program. Students sang a song with instruments in recognition of Black History Month.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve revisions to the following Board policies:

AA - School District Legal Status
IHE - Academic Achievement/Promotion and Retention
IHFA - Academic Achievement/Adult Education Graduation Requirements

It was noted that all BHAS students are required to complete eight full semesters and earn at least twenty-seven (27) credits. Additionally, beginning with the freshmen class entering in 2004/2005, a 2.0 average will be required to graduate from Benton Harbor High School.

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the establishment of student uniforms for the 2003-2004 school year. Members of the Superintendent's Advisory Committee presented information on the proposed student uniforms and Wal-Mart provided examples of school colors/uniforms. The Superintendent's Advisory Committee is a volunteer committee, composed of parents and guardians of students attending the Benton Harbor Area Schools. Notices were sent to every parent and guardian in the beginning of the fall 2002 school year asking interested individuals to serve on an advisory committee. Each elementary and middle school was asked to select one parent and the high school was asked to select two parents as its representatives. Current committee members represent all three levels - elementary, middle school and the high school. The committee held its first meeting with the Superintendent on October 29, 2002 and has met monthly since. Reasons for the proposed student uniforms include: 1) Safety - school colors assist with early identification in cases of child abductions, 2) School Pride - school colors promote pride in association with a specific school, 3) Student Unity - school colors promote unity among students and, 4) Education as #1 Priority - school colors reduce competition/material distractions. A uniform price list was provided for both boys and girls, which included slacks, blouses, sweaters, shirts and shoes. Trustees expressed their opinions that included both pros and cons of the proposed uniforms and requested research information on increased student achievement and to conduct a parent survey. Caution was voiced about different school colors for each building due to the high relocation rate among families. A legal council opinion is that it is lawful to mandate uniforms, however, the District must be held accountable for the enforcement.

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the resolution to Call the Regular School Election scheduled for Monday, June 9, 2003, as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg.

Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a copier lease agreement for 26 machines. The current lease agreement with Adams Remco has expired and it is recommended to renew the agreement for 5 years at a cost of $0.0181 per copy. Purchasing Agent Mike Hamilton was present to answer any questions.

As an informational item, Ms. Sheletha Bobo discussed the proposed legislative budget cut of $627,000 and as a result the suggested District reductions. Benton Harbor Area Schools sustained the largest State Aid cut out of all the Middle Cities Districts. Districts with a large tax base sustained the lowest State Aid cuts. The State budget is faced with a 3 billion-dollar shortfall and cuts will also affect local governmental municipalities, which include Benton Harbor City and Benton Township. Governor Granholm has asked that all parties step-up to the table. Payments to school districts will be prorated beginning with the March 2003 payment to reflect available revenues. The pro-rated reduction equals an estimated annualized 3.8% and will be applied to all spending categories, including the discretionary payment, except for those specifically protected by law. Spending categories protected by law include: Proposal A guarantee payments (1995 foundation levels), Headlee mandated special education and school lunch payments, Durant settlement payments and federal grants. In addition, due to declining revenues forecast in the January Consensus Revenue Conference, the fiscal year 2004 school aid budget cannot be supported as enacted. Based upon the best data available at this time, it is estimated that available revenues are short by approximately $365 million. The Governor will address the 2004 School Aid Fund shortfall as part of her overall Executive Budget Recommendation to the Legislature in early March.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to award the door replacement bid for Fair Plain Middle School to Pearson Construction Company, Benton Harbor, MI at a cost of $39,299.00.

Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to officially accept and acknowledge a donation of HVAC equipment from the Trane Company valued at approximately $14,000.00.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a BHHS night school program for the 2003-2004 school year. The night school program would service students currently enrolled in the 11^th and 12^th grades who have fallen behind two or more credits and would be housed at the high school. Principal Howard Cousins and counselor Bill Hyslop were present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a Professional Health Careers Academy as part of the BHHS Career Pathways Program of Studies for the 2003-2004 school year.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve an 8^th grade trip to Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg, Virginia scheduled for May 26 - June 1, 2003, for McCord Renaissance Center. McCord Renaissance teachers were present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a 3^rd - 5^th grade trip to Mackinac Island scheduled for May 29-30, 2003, for Morton Elementary School. Morton Elementary School teacher Suzanne Carpenter was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to officially accept and acknowledge two donations to Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School. The Southwest Michigan Jaycees donated $625.00 to purchase art supplies and to participate in art related field trips. Geo Technology donated $1000.00 to purchase books for the Accelerated Readers program.

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

• Professional Staff Resigning
• Professional Staff Layoff
• Layoff of Administrative Staff

Superintendent’s Update
Superintendent Dawning commended building administrators for their proposed building budget cuts citing that it is not an easy task to endure.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools was recently featured in newsletters of Aramark and the legal council firm of Miller, Johnson, Snell & Cummiskey.

Schools that do not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) will not advance and shall face drastic recourse. Benton Harbor Area Schools has 4 school buildings in phase four of AYP.

The District did make the Education Yes! State deadline of January 24^th, for the submission of school self-assessment reports, which included the Career Tech Center and the Creative Learning Center.

The technology investment of a new camera system at BHHS has paid off by capturing the criminal in a recent break-in.

Public Participation
Mrs. Deborah Ertman addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns with the hiring of an additional administrator for the Human Resources/Labor Relations Department. Mrs. Ertman suggested that the new transportation facility and the housing of central administration staff at the 777 complex are not good use of taxpayer's money and the District should have built a new school building instead. She questioned how much is being spent for the DADS program and if there is an upcoming millage election.

Board Comments
Trustee Henry stated that community input is needed for the Transportation Facility Naming Committee and extended his appreciation to Fair Plain Middle School for the wonderful program in appreciation of School Board Recognition month.

Trustee Peeples-Burks commended the BHAS Career Pathways Program as being the recipient of the 2003 Governor's Excellence in Practice Award.

President Smith reminded fellow trustees to RSVP for the Lights On After School program dinner and also commended the BHAS Career Pathways Program for the 2003 Governor's Excellence in Practice Award. Mrs. Smith extended her appreciation to Fair Plain West Elementary school for their Board Appreciation Program.

There being no further business, the February work session was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.