MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
FEBRUARY 8, 2005

The February regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Ken Woltman at 6:03 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mr. Ken Woltman, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Dr. Perry Davis, Mr. Robert L. Bowman, Mr. Dan McGinnis and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Also Present:  Student Board Member Matthew Bradley

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

Minutes
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman that the Minutes of the work session of January 4, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Bowman that the Minutes of the special meeting of January 11, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 11, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Henry that the Minutes of the special meeting of January 20, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Smith that vendor payments in the amount of $1,726,375.92 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
A Certificate of Proclamation was read in honor of District Principals proclaiming the week of February 13, 2005, as Principal's Week by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.  Each Principal received a token of appreciation and flowers.

A proclamation written by President George W. Bush was read in honor of February being National African American History Month.

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

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT Board policies:

• GAC - Recruitment/Hiring (new)

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

• CGC - Administrative Personnel Recruitment/Hiring (revised)

• GBC - Professional Personnel Recruitment/Hiring (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)

be hereby adopted/added as policies of the School District and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the agreement between 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 motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the agreement between the Capstone Family Center and the Benton Harbor Area Schools for non-educational services to MLK Elementary School for the 2004-2005 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the Certificate of Proclamation by the State of Michigan, Executive Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, proclaiming the week of February 13, 2005 as Principal's Week in Michigan.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the Proclamation by the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush in honor of February 2005 National African American History Month.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

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

Tuesday, February 8, 2005 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, March 1, 2005 before, during 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.

Business/Finance
Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the agreements for reasonable expenses relating to the collection of the 2005 summer school property taxes with the following governing units:

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the Phase II contracts to the lowest bidders as follows:

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the asbestos abatement bid to Industrial Abatement Inc., of Lansing, Michigan as recommended by our consultants Villa Environmental, in the amount of $44,907.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the vehicle replacement bid to Siemans Ford, Bridgman, Michigan for a 2005 F-250 4x4 utility truck in the amount of $18,564.09.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

As an informational item, the Facilities Blue Ribbon Committee presented an assessment report of the buildings in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.  Committee members include Burt Pearson, Jr., Pearson Construction; Gus Scheffler, Ibid County Electric; Don Meeks, Meeks Excavating; Steven Burdick, Secant Technologies; Bruce Ringer, BER Refrigeration; Kevin Hunter, community resident.  The committee evaluated the facilities in the district during January 2005.  Several data sources were provided that included reports generated by Fanning/Howey and Abonmarche architectural firms during the past 8 years, as well as internal financial, operational and enrollment records.  Each committee member evaluated building systems that corresponded to their area of expertise.  Areas evaluated include mechanical systems, electrical systems, integrity of buildings and suitability for technology.  Recommendations included classroom utilization in selected elementary buildings, closure of selected elementary buildings, replacement of BHHS and the adoption of an action plan to address many facilities related issues.  It was noted that each building was rated with a score of 1-5, with 5 being the worst.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education return health wellness teacher Leroy Harvey, to work effective February 7, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education grant elementary teacher Juanita Williams a disability leave of absence for the balance of the 2004/2005 school year.  The leave is without pay or fringe benefits.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept Mr. Lynn D. Lang's resignation effective February 2, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Consent
Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the grants and donations to the District for the 2004-2005 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Other
Following the regular meeting the Board of Education will recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel possible student expulsions.

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

The Benton Harbor Policing Committee is scheduled to meet at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, February 10, 2005, at the Benton Harbor High School to review initiatives.

Appreciation was extended to the Facilities Blue Ribbon Committee for their efforts and evaluations.  The Finance Blue Ribbon Committee will present their findings to the Board of Education at the March regular meeting.

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.

Public Participation
Mr. Larry Streeter addressed the Board of Education suggesting that the District investigate the possibility of solar heating.

Mr. Kevin Hunter addressed the Board of Education expressing his appreciation as a participant on the Facilities Blue Ribbon Committee and stated that the physical problems in the District buildings are not conducive to the learning environment.

Board Comments
Student Board member Matthew Bradley credited Mr. Lynn Lang for providing a suitable learning environment at the high school and asked for a tour of the BHHS boiler room.

Trustee McGinnis stated that the Board of Education must closely examine the proposed recommendations of District buildings to ensure that dollars are spent wisely.

Trustee Bowman extended his appreciation to the Facilities Blue Ribbon Committee and to the District principals in honor of Principal's Week.

Trustee Henry discussed his visit to Morton Elementary School in honor of School Board Appreciation Month and encouraged all to attend their read-in scheduled for March 2, 2005.

Trustee Smith expressed her gratitude to the Facilities Blue Ribbon Committee and discussed her visit to Hull Middle School for their super bowl party.

The Board recessed to closed session at 8:16 p.m.

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

Absent:  Dr. Perry Davis

Also Present:  Dr. Paula Dawning, Dr. J. Leonard Wright and Mrs. Ruth Watson

Neither student nor parent was present.

Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT 02-05-11-FPMS be expelled for 30 school days from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for a violation of the Uniform Code of Discipline.  The conditions of the expulsion will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.  The expulsion period is February 9, 2005 through March 23, 2005.

The motion passed on the following vote:

There being no further business, the February regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.