MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
FEBRUARY 12, 2002

The February regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Dwight P. Mitchell at 6:05 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present: Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell, Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Ken Woltman and Ms. Michelle Jones

Public Participation on Agenda Items
Mr. Timm Culby addressed the Board of Education asking if the money saved by closing school buildings would be used to purchase the Culby property.

Communications
A DADS For Education luncheon has been scheduled for 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16, at Lake Michigan College.

Monday, February 18, President’s Day – no school.

A Legislative Breakfast has been scheduled for Monday, February 18, at the Berrien County Intermediate School District.

The Benton Harbor City Police Department is sponsoring a Parents as Partners dinner/dance scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16, at the Benton Harbor High School.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the work session of January 8, 2002 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of January 8, 2002 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Dr. Peeples-Burks  ABSTENTION: Ms. Jones
Mr. Henry
Mrs. Robinson
Mr. Woltman
Mrs. Smith
Mr. Mitchell

A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 15, 2002 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.
AYES: Dr. Peeples-Burks  ABSTENTION: Ms. Jones
Mr. Henry
Mrs. Robinson
Mr. Woltman
Mrs. Smith
Mr. Mitchell

A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the special meeting of January 18, 2002 be approved as printed with one correction that the motion of staff report #1, was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks not Mr. Mitchell.

The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Dr. Peeples-Burks  ABSTENTION: Ms. Jones
Mr. Henry
Mrs. Robinson
Mr. Woltman
Mrs. Smith
Mr. Mitchell

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman that vendor payments in the amount of $1,569,383.74 be approved for payment.

It was noted that the amounts shown for Athletics and Food Service have been transposed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
In recognition of National Principals Week, floral arrangements were sent to administrators on behalf of the Board of Education for their hard work and dedication.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education contract with the Michigan Leadership Institute, 9725 Hebert Drive, Greenville, MI for the purpose of selecting a new District superintendent.

The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Dr. Peeples-Burks  ABSTENTION: Ms. Jones
Mr. Henry
Mrs. Robinson
Mr. Woltman
Mrs. Smith
Mr. Mitchell

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Mr. Henry:

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

Tuesday, February 12, 2002 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, March 5, 2002 before and/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 #3
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve a five-year Exclusive Vending Agreement with Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Michigan.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT an acceptance and acknowledgement of a monetary donation be added to the agenda.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially resolve and acknowledge a gift of $25,656.73 from the Whirlpool Corporation – Benton Harbor Division to the students and staff of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education table staff report #4, Authorization to Negotiate a Tentative Operating Contract with The Leona Group, LLC, until the March Board meeting.

The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Ms. Jones  NAYS: Dr. Peeples-Burks
Mr. Henry Mrs. Robinson
Mr. Woltman Mr. Mitchell
Mrs. Smith

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Robinson:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge a gift of $3,000.00 from Meijer, Inc. to the students and staff of Sorter Elementary School.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of a donation of books valued at approximately $1,200.00 to the Teacher Resource Center by Mr. Mark Giffels of St. Joseph, Michigan.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education approve the closing of Fair Plain Northwest Elementary School effective June 30, 2002, and relocation of the Gifted & Talented Academy magnet school program to Fair Plain East Elementary School for the 2002-2003 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education approve the closing of Lafayette School effective June 30, 2002, and relocation of the Creative Arts Academy magnet school program to Fair Plain East Elementary School for the 2002-2003 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Robinson:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education conduct a Public Hearing regarding the closing of the Pipestone Pre-School building for the 2002-2003 school year, prior to its regularly scheduled Work Session meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2002 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the approval for a senior overnight celebration be added to the agenda.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9A
A motion was made by Ms. Jones and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the use of BHHS facilities by Parents as Partners for this year’s Senior Overnight Celebration the evening of Friday, May 31, 2002, from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. the morning of June 1, 2002.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Geraldine Gray’s retirement be acknowledged and accepted and a letter be sent to her thanking her for the services she provided to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Mr. Gerald Edwards be hired as a JROTC military instructor effective January 22, 2002. His salary will be in accordance with the teacher collective bargaining agreement.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Other
Following the regular meeting the Board of Education will recess into closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal council possible student expulsions and readmissions.

Superintendent's Update
Management Team has focused on the Board goal of enhancing internal and external communications at a staff in-service at BHHS with representatives from Marketing Partners, Inc.

This week building administrators are focused on administrating the MEAP tests in their respective buildings.

As a member of the Council for World Class Community, the Board is beginning to implement goals in place and to review commitment to the community.

Public Participation II
Mr. Timm Culby addressed the Board of Education stating that the closing of schools may have a negative effect on the District by encouraging parents to enroll their children in another school district. He also stated that Benton Harbor Area Schools is in need of an alternative setting.

Ms. Marie Hobson addressed the Board of Education giving thanks for the opportunity to visit the alternative school in Detroit operated by The Leona Group and stated that she is in favor of an alternative educational setting.

Mr. Corey Hampton addressed the Board of Education expressing his concerns with the proposal to close the Pipestone Pre-School building.

Mr. Renaldo Tripplett addressed the Board of Education stating that he is in support of an alternative educational setting, and that he did visit the alternative school in Detroit. He agreed with the tabling of Authorization to Negotiate a Tentative Operating Contract with The Leona Group, LLC, until additional information is gathered.

Mrs. Debbie Ertman addressed the Board of Education extending her appreciation for temperature control in her classroom.

Ms. Princella Tobias addressed the Board of Education and disseminated copies of the Benton Spirit, a newly created newspaper designed to inform, enhance, showcase and promote the people, community, businesses of Benton Harbor and neighboring communities.

Mrs. Lottie Pugh addressed the Board of Education stating that the Berrien County Health Department has received word that funds would become available to re-open the BHHS School-Based Clinic.

Board Comments
Trustee Woltman questioned the proposed alternative educational program with The Leona Group and if any successful alternative programs exist in Berrien County.

Trustee Peeples-Burks shared information on the HOYA program as presented to the BHAS Instruction Committee.

Trustee Smith stated that she is in favor of an alternative educational setting for BHAS but additional information is needed from The Leona Group.

Trustee Henry stated that he is in favor of an alternative educational plan for BHAS but is concerned with the budgetary needs and proposed expenditures associated with The Leona Group.

Trustee Robinson stated that she is in favor of a BHAS alternative educational plan and that money should not be an issue when educating children.

Trustee Mitchell expressed his support in establishing a BHAS alternative plan stating that it would be an expenditure to the District, but a small price to pay when the children and community are at stake.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel possible student expulsions and readmissions.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Board recessed to closed session at 8:01 p.m.

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

Absent: Ms. Michelle Jones

Also Present: Ms. Renee’ Williams and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

Hull Middle School student Jamie Wilkens and her parent, Tina Kellie, were present and requested a closed hearing.

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

THAT Jamie Wilkens be permanently expelled from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for a period no less than 180 school days for a violation of the Uniform Code of Discipline and Section 1311(2) of the Michigan Revised School Code. The conditions of the expulsion will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Destiny Smith be allowed to return as a student in the Benton Harbor Area Schools for the 2001-2002 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business, the February regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.