President J. Allene Smith called the March work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:08 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Present: Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell, Dr. Perry Davis and Mrs. Michelle Bennett

Also Present: Student Board member Brittney Hurst

Recognitions
Ms. Stephanie Rockette, Principal of M.L.K. Elementary School, presented her school report, via a PowerPoint presentation, that included information on student attendance, MEAP scores, Extended Day Program, Calling All Colors and Reading Buddies. Their school song and motto was played, and Superintendent Dawning and Trustee Peeples-Burks received M.L.K. tee shirts. Mrs. Rockette extended an invitation to visit the school's web site.

Central Administration
Cornerstone Alliance President Jeff Noel and Vice President, Greg Vaughn, presented information regarding the proposed residential development called Harbor Town. The active partnership of the City of Benton Harbor, the Council for World Class Communities and Berrien County government was recently awarded a $675,000 state grant for the project. Riverview Drive, Main Street, Eleventh Street and the BHHS football complex bind the single family residential development concept. The Harbor Town vision is to create the highest quality, integrated, diverse housing, townhouse and commercial development possible inside the City of Benton Harbor to create an anchor for redevelopment, and link all the developmental strategies to the assets of our community including the St. Joseph River and Miller's Pond to the downtown district. Harbor Town will only become a reality by all groups working in tandem and through a concerted effort of utilizing all of the tools available for the development.

Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve revisions to the following Board policies:

JGFGB - Administration of Medications
JGFGB-R - Administration of Medications Rules and Regulations

Coordinator of Health Services Lottie Pugh was present to answer any questions.

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the establishment of student uniforms for the 2003-2004 school year. Members of the Superintendent's Parent Advisory Committee were present and disseminated and discussed the results from the parent survey. Superintendent Dawning discussed the statistics and reasons why uniforms create an environment conducive to learning. Long Beach, California was the first public school system to implement school uniforms. Trustee Mitchell spoke out against the proposed student uniforms and questioned the wording of the survey. Mr. Mitchell suggested a student uniform trial period in the lower grade levels. Student Board member Brittney Hurst also spoke out against uniforms stating that not all conflicts revolve around student dress and that staff should enforce the current student dress standards. Fourteen BHHS students were present to voice their concerns on this issue stating that most BHHS students did not receive a survey, and if student uniforms are enforced then so should the dress of faculty members. A Board consensus was that an additional parent survey would be sent out. The Superintendent's Parent Advisory Committee extended an invitation to all parents and students to attend the next meeting to further discuss this issue of student uniforms.

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2003 BHHS Senior Lock-In. Parents As Partners, a BHHS parent group, has initiated a Senior Lock-In for the BHHS Class of 2003, to be held on June 6 following the graduation ceremony. Seniors are encouraged to attend this fun filled event to be held in the Student Commons that will include food, music, dancing, games and will be adult chaperoned.

As an informational item, Superintendent Paula Dawning discussed the 2003 Phillip E. Runkel Grant. The Michigan Foundation for Education Leadership, in partnership with UBS PaineWebber, Incorporated, is accepting applications for the competitive, board-initiated $5,000 grant for an innovative program or project promoting student success and achievement. To be eligible, a board member needs only to follow the criteria and instructions and mail the application to the Foundation office so that it is received no later than May 1, 2003.

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to accept Whirlpool Corporation's 2002-tax credit. The District has received a check for $22,518.69, which represents one-half of their designated tax credit for 2002 due to their Enterprise Zone status.

Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt a resolution for the purpose of changing voting places for precinct numbers 5 and 7, due to the closing of those school buildings.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the resolution for the Millage Proposal, Building and Site Sinking Fund Tax Levy, as prepared by Thrun Maatsch and Nordberg. The Board of Education shall be authorized to levy not to exceed 2 mills ($2.00 on each $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) for a period of 5 years, 2003 to 2007, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the repair of school buildings.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the BHHS Key Club convention trip to Gaylord, Michigan scheduled for April 11-13, 2003. Nineteen Key Club members will attend along with their advisor, Ronald Lyness, and Cora Bridgman, parent of club president, who will be the chaperones for this event. Mr. Ronald Lyness was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a 4^th and 5^th grade Sorter Elementary School trip to Mackinac Island scheduled for May 27-29, 2003. Fifty-two students with seventeen adult chaperones plan to attend.

Assistant Superintendent Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to accept two grants in the amounts of $250.00 and $300.00 to Calvin Britain Elementary School from the Berrien County Intermediate School District and the Upton Foundation. Both grants will fund the 2002-2003 Arts In Education Project.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to officially accept and approve a monetary donation in the amount of $1,000.00, to Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School from GEO Technology Company, Inc., of Loveland, Ohio to purchase Accelerated Reader books for their school.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to officially accept and acknowledge donations from various companies, agencies and foundations in the amount of $11,035.00, to McCord Renaissance Middle School. The donations are:

Keller and Keller - $395.00
Whirlpool Foundation - 16 reconditioned computers (valued at $600.00 each)
Dee Blast Industries - $395.00
Peter A. Katz - $250.00
United Container Co. - $395.00

As an informational item, a collaboration effort has been established between Riverwood Community Mental Health Service Program for Berrien County and the Berrien County Health Department to maintain mental health and substance abuse consultation services at the School Based Health Clinic located at the Benton Harbor High School complex. Mental health and substance abuse disorders including depression and alcohol problems are prevalent among minors - especially high school-aged students. The Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) will assist the health care provider in the recognition, treatment and management of mental disorders and psychosocial issues; enhance the skills of the primary care team in mental health and substance abuse diagnosis and treatment; provide specific focused interventions for primary care and provide follow-up and relapse prevention plans.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Assistant Superintendent Nora Jefferson reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve:

• Retirement of Professional Staff

• Layoff Administrative Staff

• Reconsideration of Layoff of Professional Staff

* It was noted that the following agenda items 1) Tenure of Professional Staff, and 2) Facility Naming Committee were deleted from the agenda.

Superintendent’s Update
Governor Granholm's state budget will be revealed this week and it is possible that funding cuts for public schools will not be as severe as previously projected. Staff is working diligently to balance the BHAS budget with the proposed state cuts, and additional staff layoffs are expected for April to be voted on at a special Board meeting.

The Department of Education will reveal this week Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) by two methods and parents will be notified of BHAS schools that will be cited.

Professional development is underway for administrators and teachers.

A Benton Harbor Area Schools Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at the Benton Harbor High School Kuschel Performing Arts Center.

The District has submitted the appropriate documentation for a Reading First grant.

As a method to increase student enrollment, Benton Harbor Area Schools will produce a spring marketing campaign.

A proposed Sinking Fund Millage will be on the June School Election Ballot for the purpose of Benton Harbor Area Schools building infrastructure.

Public Participation
Mrs. Lisa Peeples-Hurst addressed the Board of Education questioning if the proposed special Board meeting for the purpose of additional staff layoff would be open to the public.

Board Comments
Student Board member Brittney Hurst extended her appreciation to those students who attended tonight's meeting expressing their views on student uniforms and proposed that a student assembly be held for the Board of Education to hear student feedback on all issues.

Trustee Bennett stated that the student uniform issue is difficult and suggested that senior students take courses on dressing for success.

Trustee Henry questioned the labor unions involvement in staff layoffs.

Trustee Mitchell asked for additional information on student uniform surveys.

Trustee Peeples-Burks stated that many businesses and community organizations are faced with budget cuts and encouraged community residents to write to Senator Jelinek to ask for continued support of local agencies and schools. Dr. Peeples-Burks extended her gratitude to Boynton Montessori for their Board of Education appreciation program.

Trustee Smith encouraged trustees, staff and community residents to attend The Boys and Girls Club Open House scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2003.

There being no further business, the March work session was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.