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

Absent: Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell and Ms. Michelle Jones

Communications
Thank you notes have been received, on behalf of the Board of Education, from the families of James Ray and Virginia Huddleston in appreciation for the sympathy floral arrangements. Mrs. Vivian Schillio has also extended her gratitude for the appreciation keyholder token recently given to all BHAS employees.

Recognitions
Sterne Brunson Elementary School has received the Golden Apple Award of $50,000.00 from the State of Michigan for outstanding achievement in the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP). Mrs. Gloria Cleveland, Principal, Ms. Stephanie Rockette, Assistant Principal, and Ms. Michelle Crowder, reading teacher, were present to discuss their success.

Central Administration
Superintendent Renee Williams reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the following District policy revisions:

GAIB (also KDCB) Staff-Community Relations/Solicitations of Staff/Staff Directory

GAK Personnel Records

GAL (also DJCB) Salary Deductions

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the leasing of the Stump School building to The Link Crisis Intervention Center for a five-year period. The Link has proposed to invest $115,000.00 in the building in order to comply with the State Fire Code.

Mr. Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve declaring District property, located at Pipestone & Downey, as surplus. The vacant 1.5 acres of land is worth approximately $8,500.

Instruction
As an information item, Mr. Robert Farmer, Group Director for Informational Technologies and Bill Kaeding, Teacher Consultant, presented an update on the BHAS Elementary Student Assessment System. The objective of the Student Assessment System is to monitor the academic progress of each student in their attainment of BHAS curriculum standards. This record of academic progress will follow each student as they progress through BHAS. The system provides the school community an important tool in the implementation and management of instruction. Board trustees were provided with a Student Assessment booklet for review.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Richard Garrison and Group Director for Operations and Facilities, Stephen Mitchell, presented the Middle School initiative. BHAS is proposing to reconfigure schools to include students in grades 6-8 in a middle school environment beginning with the 2001-2002 school year. McCord Renaissance, Fair Plain Junior High School and Hull Elementary School will all be converted to District Middle Schools with sixth grade students housed in modular classroom units. King Junior High School will be converted into an elementary school serving students in grades kindergarten through five. The Middle School implementation project will require realigning curriculum, instructional resources and instructional practices for students in grades 6-8. In order that the District's schools involved in this project are ready for occupancy in August, 2001, the Board of Education must act now to authorize the administration to begin bidding contracts for essential renovation and materials. Mr. Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Middle Schools initiative.

Mr. Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to accept and acknowledge a donation of graphing and overhead calculators valued at $4,832.10 to Henry C. Morton Elementary School from the First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor.

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

• Professional Staff Retiring
• Possible Contract Ratification
• Employment of Varsity Football Coach
• Other

Superintendent's Update
Superintendent Williams discussed the Middle Schools Concept and how students at the sixth grade level need special attention.

Ms. Williams expressed her excitement about technology integration and how fantastic it was to observe students using computers during her building visits last week. She discussed staff technology training to improve how information is stored at all levels, i.e., purchasing, human resources, desegregation, etc.

Copies of a BHAS Energy Usage report were disseminated for Trustee review that compared 1999 and 2000 energy usage for the months of September - December.

Sympathy was extended to the family of Mr. James Rutter, former BHAS superintendent, for the recent passing of his wife, Mrs. Diane Rutter.

Public Participation II
Mr. Jeff Johnson addressed the Board of Education questioning when interested community members could visit school buildings. He also suggested that the District's website be utilized for the posting of important school business and Board meetings.

Mr. Isiah Newson addressed the Board of Education requesting permission to furnish BHHS students with income tax information and asked when the next Career Pathway meeting is to be held. Mr. Newson also questioned if BHAS would be represented at the "failing schools" hearings in Lansing and also what computer software is available to BHAS students.

Board Comments
Trustee Woltman commented that the District's school buildings are open for public inspection every school day.

Trustee Peeples-Burks stated that in the near future BHAS would be hosting community forums as a method of providing information to the community.

Trustee Smith praised the newly remodeled BHHS front entrance stating that it has made a tremendous cosmetic improvement.

Trustee Robinson questioned the parent component of the technology training.

There being no further business, the February work session was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.