Ms. Pat Thar addressed the Board of Education regarding an excellent letter written by LaShawn Taylor to The Herald Palladium regarding the proposed state takeover of Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Mrs. Diane Newson addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns with the proposed Middle Schools initiative. Mrs. Newson stated that she is ill informed of this concept and asked that the Board not vote until parents receive additional information.

Trustee Mitchell suggested that the Middle Schools proposal be tabled for an additional week to allow for community input stating that this item could be voted on at a special Board meeting. The postponement would allow parents to be heard and to gather information regarding Middle Schools at a public forum.

Trustee Peeples-Burks gave a reminder that the first section on the agenda for public participation is for agenda items only.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the special meeting of January 9, 2001 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 16, 2001 be approved as printed.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Jones that vendor payments in the amount of $1,667,570.15 be approved for payment.

Recognition was given to the HOSTS program as the importance of mentoring was recently featured in the Lakeland Regional Health System's newsletter The Pulse.

THAT Board policies:

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

GAK Personnel Records

GAL (also DJCB) Salary Deductions

be hereby adopted as policy of the School District and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.

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

Tuesday, February 13, 2001 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, March 6, 2001 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.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the administration to move forward with the Middle Schools implementation process and hereby authorizes its administrative staff to proceed with bidding essential services, materials, equipment and other capital outlay purchases in accordance with Board Policy to ensure the readiness of Middle Schools for the 2001-2002 school year.

A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mrs. Robinson:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education table staff report #3 Approval of Middle Schools Proposal Implementation for 1 week to allow parental input.

THAT the Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of the donation from the First Presbyterian Church to Henry C. Morton Elementary School and further, the Board of Education officially thanks the First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor for its long standing community partnership with the Henry C. Morton Elementary School.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the leasing of Stump School to The Link Crisis Center for a five year period. Further, the Board directs legal counsel to draft the lease agreement and submit it for review.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Mitchell:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education table staff report #5 Leasing of Stump Elementary School for 1 week pending the vote of the Middle Schools Proposal Implementation.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education declare District property located at Pipestone & Downey as surplus. Further, that a minimum bid price of $8,500 be placed on the property and advertised according to policy.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the letters of retirement from Mr. Arthur Crump and Mr. Edward Woods, Jr., and that individual letters be sent to thank them for their years of dedicated services to the District.

THAT the Board of Education vote to employ Mr. Larry Featherstone as Varsity Football Coach effective for the 2001-2002 school year.

A Parent Forum has been confirmed for 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 15 at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons, to discuss the Middle School Initiative.

A special Board meeting has been confirmed for 12:00 noon on Wednesday, February 21 at the Central Administration Building to vote on the Approval of Middle Schools Proposal Implementation and Leasing of Stump Elementary School.

Mr. Isiah Newson addressed the Board of Education stating that he is available to assist BHHS students with Internal Revenue Service information.

Trustee Mitchell extended his appreciation to fellow trustees for the postponement of the Middle School Initiative and the Leasing of Stump School stressing the importance of parental input.

Trustee Robinson agreed with the importance of including parental input when making decisions for students. Mrs. Robinson also questioned the status of additional parking at Pipestone Pre-School Center.