MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
MARCH 7, 2006

President J. Allene Smith called the March Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:10 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

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

Absent:  Student Board Members

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

Recognitions
Athletic Director James Rutter acknowledged the honorees for the 2005-2006 Benton Harbor High School Hall of Fame who will be recognized at the upcoming BHHS Athletic Banquet.  Honorees are Paul Wilhite, Ruth Watson, Ken Overley and Alex McNutt.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be required at the regular meeting to approve District policy additions/revisions.  The Policy Committee has made a recommendation to add the following policy:

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the authorization to purchase busses.  It is necessary for the District to purchase 3 replacement school busses; two-77 passenger busses and one-53 passenger bus from Capital City Bus Sales for a total cost of $217,513.00.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the awarding of bid for the asbestos abatement at Fair Plain Northwest School.  Formal bids were received and opened on February 24, 2006, from three companies for the removal of asbestos from Fair Plain Northwest School.  It is necessary to remove the asbestos from the building for health reasons and in order to reopen the building for the 2006-2007 school year.

Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the sale of the Sterne Brunson property.  The Board of Education had declared Sterne Brunson School as surplus property and bids were received for the sale with Star Development and Financial Corporation being the high bidder at $81,000.00.

The Board of Education tabled the sale of this property, due to zoning issues with the City of Benton Harbor.  Those issues are now resolved.  The District is in receipt of a good faith check in the amount of $8,100.00, from Star Development and the building was winterized per their request.  The amended sale price is $87,630.00, plus all carrying costs that will be incurred during the year.  Star Development has been given until June 30, 2007, to close the sale.  If the sale is not final by June 30, 2007, the property will revert back to the District.

Instruction
As an informational item, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Virginia Maxwell reported that discussion would take place at the regular meeting regarding the Continued Arts Grant for Eisenhower Dance Troup.

Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2006 Elementary Summer School (K-5) Program.  Social Studies Consultant Ralph Catania presented information on the Elementary Summer School Program that has been planned for approximately 300 students currently enrolled in grades K-5, for June 19th – August 2nd, 2006.  The program will be located at Calvin Britain Elementary School and is funded by Title I.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2006 Fifth Grade Summer Science Enrichment Camp.  Science Consultant Paul Lee presented information on the Science Camp that is designed to introduce 5th grade students to the 6th grade GLCES and to review some of the more difficult concepts from 5th grade.  State standards and benchmarks would be covered using hands-on, inquiry-based activities in cooperative groupings.  Eligibility for the program is based on Title I requirements and science MEAP scores.  Three sessions will be held with each session lasting 2 weeks.  The sessions will run on the same time schedule as the Elementary Summer School June 19th – August 2nd, 2006, and will be located at the Creative Arts/Gifted & Talented Academy.  Funding for this program will be covered with Title I funds.

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a 2006 Senior Class Trip.  A trip to New York City has been proposed for the 2006 Senior Class depending on accumulating finances and finalizing the participating students.  The proposed cost per student is $460.00, but fundraising activities would reduce that amount.  There would be one (1) adult chaperone for every ten (10) students attending.  Senior class advisors will be asked to be present at the regular meeting to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve an Orchard Grove Extended Care Center Agreement.  The renewal of the agreement between Orchard Grove Extended Care Center and BHAS allows Allied Health II students to earn the required number of patient care hours to prepare for the Certified Nursing Assistant exam.

CTE instructor Karen Berlin, RN and CTE EIA Eula McKee, RN, would accompany fourteen (14) students during this internship experience.  Director of Career and Technical Education Carole Fetke was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a Career/Tech Habitat for Humanity Project trip.  Director of Career and Technical Education Carole Fetke and CTE Construction Trades Instructor Larry Jackson presented information regarding nine (9) BHAS Construction Trades students assisting in a Habitat For Humanity rebuilding project in Slidell, Louisiana during spring break (April 1-8, 2006).  The trip would cost approximately $3,000.  Half of this cost would be financed with CTE Added Cost funds and the other half would be financed with community donations.  Mr. Larry Jackson would accompany the students on the trip.

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

The Board of Education questioned the proposed new administrative positions and the Johns Hopkins University Renaissance Program.

Questions asked were:

The Board of Education expressed their desire for internal candidates to apply for the proposed restructuring staffing positions and encouraged the District to start mentoring internal candidates for all Benton Harbor Area Schools administrative positions.     

It was clarified that the proposed new administrative positions are to be funded with general funds at no additional cost, per the Administrator’s contract.  It is proposed that the High School Assistant Principal job titles are to be changed to Deans that includes the Benton Harbor High School, BHHS Freshman Academy and BHHS Twilight Academy.  Johns Hopkins staff did come to Benton Harbor Area Schools to train District staff as coaches.  A copy of the proposed restructuring chain of command organizational chart will be provided to trustees.

Consent
Board action will be requested at the regular meeting to accept the following donations/grants to the Benton Harbor Area Schools:

Other
The recent BHHS Media Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was well attended and all are invited to visit the new state of the art studio.  The BHAS Chess Club was commended for successfully engaging students and the excellent article in The Herald-Palladium.

Superintendent’s Update
The District is expecting to receive the preliminary fall Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) results soon.

The grand opening for the multimedia exhibit A Case About Diversity: The Affirmative Action Lawsuit at the University of Michigan at the Richard Hunt Gallery in Benton Harbor was excellent.

Middle Cities Education Association has advised the District that the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results will not be available until June 2006.

A course in Physics may be a Michigan high school graduation requirement for students however; State officials have pushed back 80% of the proposed graduation requirements.

The District is currently experiencing widespread flu and virus type illnesses that are affecting both staff and students.

The District is preparing for an 18 mills operating millage renewal proposal that will be on the May 2006 election ballot.   The proposal will allow the District to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and qualified agricultural property, for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2006 tax levy.  The renewal period is for 5 years, 2007-2011.

The Board of Education Public Relations Committee will be soliciting a new name for the Fair Plain Northwest school building, which is scheduled to re-open for the 2006-2007 school year.

District staff and Board trustees were provided with the book A Framework for Understanding Poverty, written by Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.  Dr. Payne is a leading US expert on the mindsets of poverty, middle class and wealth.  This book is a must read for educators, employers, policymakers and service providers.

Public Participation
Mrs. Marian Tripplett addressed the Board of Education questioning what are the requirements for teacher tenure and what is the selection process for students to participate in the Science Enrichment Program.  She asked for the names of BHAS parent representatives on the Intermediate School District Special Education Committee.  Mrs. Tripplett also expressed her desire that current District employees be hired for the proposed restructuring administrative positions and commended the career/tech staff and students for participating in the Habitat For Humanity Rebuilding project.

Ms. Yolanda Ferguson addressed the Board of Education seeking an answer to a complaint filed against Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School staff and the Minutes from this meeting.

Ms. Kimberly Davis addressed the Board of Education questioning the BHHS Twilight Academy policies and the criterion of the program. 

Board Comments
Trustee Henry commended the proposed renaming of Fair Plain Northwest building and reminded trustees that the superintendent’s annual evaluation is coming due.  The evaluation form, which is being revamped, needs to be approved by the Board of Education.  Trustee Henry questioned the BHHS Twilight Academy’s protocol and the need to closely monitor the program.

There being no further business, the March work session was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.