MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
FEBRUARY 7, 2006

President J. Allene Smith called the February Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:11 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Anthony Henry (7:20), Mr. Ken Woltman, Mr. Robert Bowman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Absent:  Mr. Dan McGinnis and Dr. Perry Davis

Also Present:  Student Board Members Samantha Gunter and Trenton Bowens

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

Communication
The District was notified today that former Hull Middle School teacher, Lawrence Gleaton has passed away and a moment of silence was conducted in his honor.

The District has received letters from the Michigan Association of School Boards that commends Trustees J. Allene Smith and Anthony Henry for their outstanding achievements as school Board members.  Trustee Smith has earned the Master Diamond Award for having accumulated over 600 CBA class credits.  Trustee Henry has earned the Certified Board Member Award for completing the entire 100-series of CBA classes and also earned the Award of Merit for having completed over 75 total CBA credits.  All board awards will be presented at a County School Board Association award ceremony.

Recognitions
Recognition was given to all District Principals, as February 12-18, 2006 is Principal's Week in Michigan.

February is Black History Month and various celebrations will take place throughout the District and the community.

The Michigan Association of School Boards awarded the Professional Health Careers Academy program the 2006 State of Michigan Excellence in Practice Award.  The Professional Health Careers Academy program introduces high school juniors and seniors to professional health careers through both course work and rotating internships in area healthcare facilities. It is a partnership between the Lakeland Regional Health System, Lake Michigan College, Western Michigan University, the PA 56 Consortium and the Berrien County Intermediate School District.

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

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the agreements for reasonable expenses relating to the collection of the 2006 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.

Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt a resolution authorizing the District’s participation in the 2005-2006 Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) and the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT) Bus Purchasing Program.

Instruction
As an informational item, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Virginia Maxwell reported that at the regular meeting a Voices of Twin Cities Past presentation would be given.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a trip to Mackinac Island for Sorter Elementary School 5th graders.  Eighteen students with 6 adult chaperones would like to schedule this social studies content standards trip for May 23-25, 2006.  Sorter Principal Andrew Stansberry and 2 fifth graders were present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a Lake Michigan College Administrative Agreement with Benton Harbor High School.

Dual enrollment classes are college credit courses taught by faculty employed and compensated by Lake Michigan College (LMC).  Conventional tuition and fees are charged for dual enrollment classes.  The college will invoice Benton Harbor Area Schools for tuition and other charges as necessary.  LMC will award credit to those students who have successfully completed the requirements of the course.  This Administrative Agreement would be effective on the date of its execution and would remain in full force and effect continuously until terminated.  The agreement may be terminated at the will of either party upon giving no less than twelve months written notice of the intention to terminate.

The Director of Career and Technical Education, Carole Fetke presented an update on Phase II of the high school restructuring plan.  The Benton Harbor High School Redesign Team sees BHHS as a positive force for change in our community; where students, teachers and parents build strong relationships in a caring environment.  The focus of the redesign effort is to create smaller learning communities organized around the interests and needs of our students and focused on high achievement to prepare our students for competition in a global economy.  Goals include: 1) redesign BHHS to include several autonomous academies that facilitate personal interaction and, thereby, improve student achievement, foster intellectual development, and develop informed, caring, and productive lifelong learners, 2) graduate students with high levels of academic competency, 3) enhance the teaching skill of Benton Harbor High Schools’ faculty to provide the rigor and relevance necessary for our students to be successful in their pursuit of lifelong achievement and, 4) to have a fully operational professional learning community that is sustainable by staff, family and community.  Phase II planning is for the implementation of three career academies 1) Business, Arts and Communication, 2) Human Services and, 3) Science & Engineering.  Important accomplishments this year include:

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:

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

Other
Trustee Woltman questioned the status of the research and publication of local Benton Harbor history by BHHS students in the Future Leaders Journalizing Our Past class, along with the Benton Spirit staff.

Superintendent’s Update
Superintendent Dawning discussed her attendance at the Professional Health Careers Academy Excellence in Practice Award Ceremony where Dr. William Schmidt was the keynote speaker, who spoke about the need for high school rigor, and preparing students for higher education.

A grand opening is scheduled for Sunday, March 5, 2006 at the Richard Hunt Gallery in Benton Harbor for the multimedia exhibit A Case About Diversity: The Affirmative Action Lawsuit at the University of Michigan.

On the 2006 Board of Education Election Ballot an 18 mills operating millage renewal will be requested, which would apply to non-homestead property.

The deadline for filing as a candidate in the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education election was 4:00 p.m. today.

The 2006 United Way of Southwest Michigan Campaign is underway.

The winter student count day is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2006 and District student enrollment has increased since the fall count.

The Fourth Annual DKG Public Forum, sponsored by Delta Kappa Gamma Society International – Rho Chapter and the Delta Sigma Theta Alumni Chapter, will be held 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 9, 2006, at Western Michigan University Southwest Campus, Benton Harbor, MI to discuss the proposed state requirements for high school graduation.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools bus fleet has successfully passed the annual bus inspection, conducted by the Michigan State Police.

It is recommended that the monetary deposit received by the District for the proposed sale of Sterne Brunson property be placed in the District’s reserve fund.

Morton Elementary School will be celebrating Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’s Birthday on March 2, 2006.

Public Participation
Mrs. Lisa Peeples-Hurst addressed the Board of Education asking how many BHHS core classes are taught by substitute teachers and what is the current student enrollment at the BHHS Twilight Academy, along with contact information.  Mrs. Peeples-Hurst questioned which federal programs require a published newsletter and how much the newsletter costs the District.  She asked if the BHHS book problem has been solved and who is the contact person for the BHHS Hall of Fame.

Mr. Isaiah Newson addressed the Board of Education commending the 2 student board members for participating in the Leadership Community Change Project training session held last weekend at the Brandywine Center.  Mr. Newson expressed his encouragement and disappointment with Benton Harbor Area Schools and asked for the last 5 years of freshman statistics, which include graduation rates, dropout rates, higher education attainment, etc.  He stated that the proposed Harbor Shore Project is in need of a quality education plan of action for the project to succeed.  Mr. Newson questioned the Johns Hopkins high school reform plan stating that the District must do a better job of communication.  He requested an original copy of the BHAS 5 Year Plan and a copy of the Johns Hopkins plan.

Board Comments
Student Board member Trenton Bowens congratulated the BH Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year, Samantha Gunter and discussed his attendance at the Leadership Community Change Project training session.

Student Board member Samantha Gunter discussed her attendance at the Leadership Community Change Project training session and commended the District for the safety and security of students.

Trustee Fort stated that she has been actively involved behind the scenes, in the Leadership Community Change Project.  Mrs. Fort commended the District for the Johns Hopkins initiative and Hull Middle School for the excellent superbowl party.  She discussed her attendance at the Superintendent of the Year Ceremony in Detroit.

Trustee Bowman commended Mr. Mitchell and the bus mechanics for the excellent maintenance of District busses and Carole Fetke for her leadership in receiving the Professional Health Careers Academy Award.

Trustee Henry expressed his encouragement with the District’s educational direction and stated that the District’s “how to” is what needs to improve.

Trustee Smith gave praise to the Hull Middle School superbowl party and discussed her attendance at the Superintendent of the Year Ceremony in Detroit.

There being no further business, the February work session was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.