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

The March regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President J. Allene Smith at 6:20 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Perry Davis, Mr. Anthony Henry (6:25), Mr. Ken Woltman, Mr. Robert Bowman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Absent:  Mr. Dan McGinnis

Also Present:  Student Board Members Samantha Gunter and 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 Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the special meeting of February 1, 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 February 2, 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 work session of February 7, 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 regular meeting of February 14, 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 special meeting of February 15, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Woltman that vendor payments in the amount of $1,898,037.18 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
A moment of silence was conducted in the death of William Pugh, the husband of Lottie Pugh, former Coordinator of Health Services for the District.

Recognition was given to Lori Kuntz, Ramona Minisee, Edith Land, Mary Wilder, Priscilla Serunjogi and Nancy Skinner for their donation of time to create and practice the Honors Choir for their performance at the Diversity Exhibit grand opening reception.  The Honors Choir and CAA Dance Troup were present and performed 2 songs and 3 dances.

Boynton Montessori Principal Ericka Harris-Robinson presented certificates of participation to the Boynton Montessori Girl Scouts for their fundraising efforts in the recent Bone Marrow Drive.

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

THAT Board policy:

be hereby adopted as policy of the School District and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

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

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

Tuesday, April 11, 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 #3
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the purchase of two 77-passenger buses and one 53-passenger bus from Capital City Bus Sales at a total cost of $217,523.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the bid for asbestos abatement to the low bidder, Martin and Associates of Portage, MI in the amount of $25,520.00.  The cost will abate every area of the building except the gym, which is in good condition.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education sell Sterne Brunson School to Star Development and Financial Corporation for the amended price of $87,630.00, plus all carrying costs that will be incurred during the year.  Additionally, Star Development has until June 30, 2007, to close the sale.  If Star Development is unable to close the sale by June 30, 2007, the property will revert back to the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
As an informational item, Nancy Skinner and Lori Kuntz discussed the Continued Arts Grant for the Eisenhower Dance Troup.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Elementary Summer School Program for the 2005-2006 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the 5th Grade Summer Science Enrichment Camp scheduled for June 19 – August 2, 2006, to run in conjunction with the Elementary Summer School Program.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the 2006 Senior Class trip to New York City.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the renewal of the Agreement between the Benton Harbor Area Schools and Orchard Grove Extended Care Center for the period of March 21, 2006 through June 30, 2008.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the CTE Construction Trades trip to Slidell, Louisiana, scheduled for April 1-8, 2006.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education employ Jacqueline Morris and Leann Francis, both effective February 13, 2006.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education grant Tenure to the following teachers according to the dates as indicated.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the resignation notice of Alisa Walker and that a letter is sent thanking her for her years of service to the students of the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve a non-union employee wage increase, which is comparable to the increase awarded to employees who are members of a labor union.  The recommended increases are:

Noon supervisors – 2.0 % for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years.

Pool manager, LAN/WAN specialist, office application trainer, intra/internet specialist, hardware/software support, technology specialist, athletic trainer, truancy officers, educational instructor assistants, dispatcher, executive secretaries and management team members (excluding the superintendent) – 1.5% for the 2004-2005 school year and a 2.25% increase for the 2005-2006 school year.

It is further recommended that the Board create a 5% - 15% salary band buffer between the salary of other administrative staff and the Assistant Superintendents.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education amend staff report #14 to remove the last sentence “It is further recommended that the Board create a 5% - 15% salary band buffer between the salary of other administrative staff and the Assistant Superintendents and approve the recommended non-union employee wage increase

Noon supervisors – 2.0 % for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years.

Pool manager, LAN/WAN specialist, office application trainer, intra/internet specialist, hardware/software support, technology specialist, athletic trainer, truancy officers, educational instructor assistants, dispatcher, executive secretaries and management team members (excluding the superintendent) – 1.5% for the 2004-2005 school year and a 2.25% increase for the 2005-2006 school year.

The amended motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the new administrative job titles of Academy Deans effective for the 2006-2007 school year.

The motion passed on the following vote:

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

Consent
Staff Report #16
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mr. Woltman:

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.

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 the Superintendent’s evaluation instrument.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the rescinding of the suspension of Board Policy DO - School Property Disposal Procedure that was suspended on April 19, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Superintendent’s Update
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Athletic Banquet is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Superintendent Dawning reviewed, via a PowerPoint presentation the 2005 Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) District results as compared to the State average.  The District is prepared to do an analysis to understand the low scores.

Hull Middle School SciMaTech Open House is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2006.

Board Comments
Trustee Henry extended his appreciation to Superintendent Dawning for the update on the MEAP scores, stating that the chart used was informational because it showed which buildings had the lowest scores.  The District must be held accountable for low MEAP scores, as the scores are unacceptable.

Trustee Davis concurred with Mr. Henry’s frustration on the District’s low MEAP scores.  However, there are two sides to every coin, in this case teaching and learning.  At this juncture it is unclear which direction to point, as it is important to look at all contributing factors such as student behavior, community disparity, parental involvement, staff and the Board of Education.

Trustee Smith encouraged parental involvement and teachers to come onboard to ensure success in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The Board recessed to closed session at 8:30 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

The Board of Education trustees discussed the Superintendent’s evaluation instrument.

There being no further business, the March regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.