The March regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President J. Allene Smith at 6:06 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 and Dr. Perry Davis

Absent: Mrs. Michelle Bennett

Also Present: Student Board Member Brett Closson

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the work session of February 4, 2003 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 February 4, 2003 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Mitchell that the Minutes of the regular meeting of February 11, 2003 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that vendor payments in the amount of $1,741,008.68 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

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

THAT Board policies:

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

be hereby adopted as policies of the School District and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.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 #2 (was removed from the agenda)

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the BHHS Class of 2003 Senior Lock-In to be held on June 6, 2003.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

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

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, April 8, 2003 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 and Finance
Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially resolve and acknowledge the gift of $22,518.69 from the Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor Division to the students and staff of Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mr. Mitchell:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the resolutions as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg indicating the purpose of changing voting places for precincts numbers 5 and 7.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the resolutions 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.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the BHHS student attendance at the Key Club Convention scheduled for April 11-13, 2003.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Sorter School trip to Mackinac Island on May 27-29, 2003.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accepts and acknowledges the generosity of a grant in the amount of $300.00 from the Berrien County Intermediate School District and the Upton Foundation to Calvin Britain Elementary School.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accepts and acknowledges the generosity of a grant in the amount of $250.00 from the Berrien County Intermediate School District and the Upton Foundation to Calvin Britain Elementary School.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accepts and acknowledges the generosity of a gift valued at $1000.00 from Geo Technology Company, Inc. of Loveland, Ohio to Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accepts and acknowledges the generosity of the gifts to McCord Renaissance Center from various companies, agencies and foundations, valued at $11,035.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT Ms. Barbara Peeples' retirement be acknowledged and accepted and that a letter from the District be sent to her thanking her for her 39 years of service to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #15
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT Dr. James White, Assistant Principal of Hull Middle School, be laid off effective April 10, 2003.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #16
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education rescinds the action to layoff Ms. Carmen George.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #17
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT staff report #17 be added to the March 11, 2003 agenda.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the BHHS Madrigals trip to Las Vegas, Nevada on May 3-7, 2003.

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 counsel possible student readmissions and personnel matters.

Superintendent's Update
The District has reviewed the Governor Granholm's budget and determined the impacts to the Benton Harbor Area Schools. The per pupil enrollment formula has changed from an 80/20 to 50/50 weighing between the fall and spring counts. The commitment to keep the 31A funds whole is positive in spite of a 25% cut to the categoricals and the retirement rate remains flat at 12.99%. The District could see up to a 40% increase in fuel costs, health care costs are expected to increase 15-20% and all of the labor contracts expire this year. In summary, revenues are declining and expenses are increasing with a minimal fund balance reserve.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools 2^nd Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 in the BHHS Student Commons to discuss the proposed five-year strategic plan.

The delivery date has been rescheduled for the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results, which should be received this week.

The Michigan Department of Education has mandated that Districts are in compliance with section 9524 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. The Benton Harbor Area Schools has certified that no policy prevents, or otherwise denies participation in constitutionally protected prayer as set forth in the U.S. Department of Education's Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools.

The Benton Harbor Community Action Repairs Education for Schools or Benton Harbor CARES committee has begun to meet for the sinking fund millage.

State Superintendent Watkins and Senator Jelinek was at the Berrien County ISD on March 10^th to host a listen and learn community forum on school budget priorities.

Public Participation
Mr. Michael Blanks addressed the Board of Education questioning safety issues for staff and students and BHHS dual enrollment opportunities with Lake Michigan College.

Board Comments
Student Board member Brett Closson stated that the BHHS Marching Band will be performing at the Southwest Michigan Band and Orchestra Festival held on March 13 at Lake Michigan College.

Trustee Davis commended Hull Middle School and Sterne Brunson Elementary School staff and students for exceptional presentations in recognition of School Board Appreciation Month.

Trustee Henry questioned if BHAS is guilty of accepting mediocrity of standards for education.

Trustee Mitchell extended his appreciation to the BHAS students who sent him letters expressing their opinions on student uniforms.

Trustee Peeples-Burks cited the recent The Herald-Palladium Our Town article and the March issue of the Benton Spirit that featured President J. Allene Smith, Superintendent Paula Dawning and Assistant Superintendent Nora Jefferson.

Trustee Smith thanked the staff and students at McCord Renaissance Center for their excellent school activity videotape.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Henry:  THAT the Board of Education recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel possible student readmissions and personnel matters.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Board recessed to closed session at 7:15 p.m.

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

Absent: Mrs. Michelle Bennett

Also Present: Ms. Paula M. Dawning, Mrs. Virginia Maxwell, Mrs. Nora Jefferson and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Jeron Swanson not be allowed to return as a student in the Benton Harbor Area Schools for the 2002-2003 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Lefloyd Carter not be allowed to return as a student in the Benton Harbor Area Schools for the 2002-2003 school year.

The motion passed by the following vote:

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

THAT effective immediately Lawrence Thomas be allowed to return as a student in the Benton Harbor Area Schools for the 2002-2003 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the expulsion recommendation for Donald Gibson be hereby rescinded based on the IEP Team determination that was convened on February 27, 2003.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT staff report #5, Resignation of Administrative Staff, be added to the agenda.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Mr. Jeffery Stewart's resignation be accepted effective June 30, 2003 and a letter be sent to him thanking him for his 4 years of service to the students of the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business, the March regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

_______________________________ ______________________________

J. Allene Smith, President Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Secretary

_______________________________

Carolyn S. Huhta, Recording Secretary