02/14/06 Board Regular Meeting

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
FEBRUARY 14, 2006

The February regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President J. Allene Smith at 6:06 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present: Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Dan McGinnis, Dr. Perry Davis, Mr. Anthony Henry (6:45), Mr. Ken Woltman, Mr. Robert Bowman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Also Present: Student Board Member 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.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the work session of January 10, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of January 10, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 17, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the special meeting of January 23, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of January 28, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Woltman that vendor payments in the amount of $1,921,212.05 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
In recognition of Principals’ Week in Michigan (February 12-18, 2006) each District Principal received a plaque of recognition for their outstanding educational contributions.

Dr. Mark Rainey, KRESA Leadership Institute, presented Tia McCarty, Lori Kuntz and Sa’Keenha Odum with certificates of participation and a prism for their completion of the Principal’s Leadership Academy.

Central Administration
In absence of Superintendent Paula Dawning, Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell chaired the meeting.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the resolution by the State of Michigan, Executive Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, proclaiming February 12-18, 2006, as Principals’ Week in Michigan.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the resolution by the Michigan State Board of Education declaring February 13-17, 2006, as Michigan School Principals’ Week.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT Board policies:

GAQ – Social Security Number (SSN) Privacy Policy (New)
JGC – Local Wellness Policy (New)
JGC-R – Local Wellness Policy Rules and Regulations (New)
JGC-E1 – Local Wellness Policy Guidelines for Food and Beverages Offered (New)
JGC-E2 – Local Wellness Policy Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (New)

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

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Woltman:

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

Tuesday, February 14, 2006 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, March 7, 2006 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 #5
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the agreements for reasonable expenses relating to the collection of the 2006 summer school property taxes with the following governing units:

CITY/TOWNSHIP		ESTIMATED COLLECTION FEE
1.	City - Benton Harbor	$.84 per parcel
2.	City - St. Joseph	$.84 per parcel
3.	Benton Township	$.84 per parcel
4.	Hagar Township	$1.30 per parcel
5.	St. Joseph Township	$.85 per parcel

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education authorize the participation in the 2005-2006 MSBO/MAPT School Bus Purchasing Program and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions contained in the Bid Documents.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

As an informational item, Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported on the decision of the Liquor Control Commission denying the appeal of the applicant a retail liquor license to be located within 500 feet from Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School. Several arguments were made including the Benton Harbor Area Schools, Fairplain East Neighbors, Fairplain Presbyterian Church, St. Joseph Charter Township and Berrien County Health Department to deny the liquor license. The applicant does have the right to appeal the decision in circuit court.

Instruction
As an informational item, Voices of Twin Cities Past representatives were present to discuss a book, which was published using the Long Distance Learning Lab grant. Voices of Twin Cities Past is a collaborative project between Linda McConville’s 4^th grade class at E.P. Clark Elementary, St. Joseph Public Schools and Cori Nichols’ 4^th grade class at Sorter Elementary School, Benton Harbor Area Schools. Fourth grade students researched the twin cities’ rich history that included: E.P. Clark, Sorter, Calvin Britain, Dickinson Stadium, Sterne Brunson, Filstrup Field and Jean Klock Park.

Each classroom received a $7,500.00 Long Distance Learning grant to be used by the respective school for the project. The book is available for review at E.P. Clark Elementary School, Sorter Elementary School, SJ/BH Rotary, St. Joseph Library and the Benton Harbor Library.

Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Sorter Elementary School, fifth grade trip to Mackinac Island scheduled for May 23-25, 2006.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the contract with Lake Michigan College for dual enrollment with the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the resignation of Mr. Ronald Ricca effective January 27, 2006, and Mr. Theodore Jackson effective January 3, 2006, and that a letter is sent thanking them for their services to the students of the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education vote to hire Mr. Danny C. Sandmann, social studies teacher, Freshman Academy, effective February 6, 2006.

The motion passed on the following vote:

AYES:	Mr. Bowman	NAYS:	Mr. Henry
	Mrs. Fort		Mr. McGinnis
	Mr. Woltman
	Dr. Davis
	Mrs. Smith

Staff Report #10A
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Administrators Collective Bargaining Agreement for the 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and 2005-2006 school years with health care benefits ending 2008.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following donations/grants to the District for the 2005-2006 school year.

Whirlpool Corporation Donation of 2 Microwaves, 2 Refrigerators, 2 Stoves, 1 Dishwasher, 1 Washer, 1 Dryer to the Stump Academy
$850.32 Berrien County Resource Recovery Grant to Sorter Elementary School
$100 Whirlpool Foundation Donation to the HOSTS Program
$5000 Grant from The District Management Council for Professional Development
$5000 Grant from The Broad Foundation for Professional Development

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 litigations.

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

Stump School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Wednesday, February 15, 2006.

Superintendent’s Update
The Benton Harbor Area Schools is anticipating the release of the 2005/2006 Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) scores.

Public Participation
Ms. Rochelle Moore addressed the Board of Education praising the staff at Benton Harbor High School for their helpful assistance and questioned the criteria of dual enrollment and highly qualified teachers.

Board Comments
Student Board member Trenton Bowens recognized the principals for Principals’ Week and commended the Voices of Twin Cities Past research initiative.

Trustee Fort thanked CAA/G&T Academy for the calendar and Mrs. Moore for her public comments tonight. Mrs. Fort discussed her attendance at a recent Whirlpool Corporation breakfast for BHHS senior girls, as Whirlpool employees are establishing a mentoring program for them.

Trustee Bowman commended the Voices of Twin Cities Past project and stated his encouragement with the settlement of the administrators’ contract.

Trustee Woltman applauded the Voices of Twin Cities Past Long Distance Learning project and expressed his support for the settlement of the administrators’ contract.

Trustee Henry stated that communication is a key factor for success in Benton Harbor Area Schools and a collaborative effort is needed to succeed. The Board of Education can help facilitate the process through implementation of Board policies.

Trustee Davis announced that he is not seeking re-election to the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education, due to future plans, and would seek re-election if circumstances were different. Dr. Davis stated that he has enjoyed his 4 year tenure and working with his colleagues.

Trustee McGinnis questioned the hiring practices of the District and expressed his support for hiring current staff persons for administrative roles. Mr. McGinnis stated his pleasure with the Voices of Twin Cities Past project, citing the definite difference in the upkeep of buildings in St. Joseph vs. Benton Harbor.

Trustee Smith gave praise to the Benton Harbor Chess Club and the KRESA Principal’s Leadership Academy participants.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal council litigations.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Board recessed to closed session at 8:10 p.m.

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

Absent: Mr. Dan McGinnis

Also Present: Mrs. Virginia Maxwell, Ms. Nora Jefferson, Attorney Karl Butterer and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

The Board of Education trustees discussed with legal council litigations.

There being no further business, the February regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.