MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
APRIL 8, 2003
Vice-President Ken Woltman called the April work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:03 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.
Present: Mrs. J. Allene Smith (6:40), Mr. Ken Woltman, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Anthony A. Henry (6:40), Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell and Dr. Perry Davis (6:40)
Absent: Mrs. Michelle Bennett
Also Present: Student Board members Brittney Hurst and Brett Closson
Communications
Trustee Peeples-Burks read a letter from Boynton Montessori Program Principal,
Ericka Harris-Robinson, regarding Boynton students who performed for the
dialysis patients at Lakeland Dialysis Services. Patients have expressed their
shear delight and were heart-warmed by the children's performance.
Board Trustees Smith, Henry, Davis and Superintendent Dawning are in route back from the National School Boards Association's Annual Conference and are expected to arrive soon.
Recognitions
Recognition and praise was given to Morton Elementary School students for
placing 2nd in the Odyssey of the Mind competition and as
Ranatra Fusca winners. Those students will now compete in the Odyssey of
the Mind state finals on April 26, 2003.
Recognition was given to 6th grade McCord Renaissance Center students, Adrienne Clabin and Jason Newson, as the 2003 Science Olympiad winners.
Morton Elementary School kindergartner, Tyriek Atkins, was congratulated as WSBT's Sketch the Sky winner.
The BHHS varsity basketball team was presented with Certificates of Participation for their outstanding 2002-2003 season.
Central Administration
In the absence of Superintendent Dawning, Assistant Superintendent Virginia
Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to
approve revisions/additions to the following Board policies:
The policies presented for Board approval are a requirement of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Members of the Parent Advisory Council presented recommendations for student uniforms via a PowerPoint presentation and disseminated a building uniform survey tally sheet dated April 8, 2003. The tally sheet showed that 2291 surveys were returned with 1548 voting yes, 739 voted no and 4 were undecided. Discussion ensured amongst trustees as to what would be the ramifications for those students who did not abide by wearing uniforms. Trustee Mitchell suggested a total walk-through of implementing uniforms before the Board of Education votes. Council members have not discussed non-compliance issues such as penalties, ramifications, rules and regulations, etc. Trustee Peeples-Burks stated that she is not comfortable in implementing a uniform policy without a consensus of the Board and suggested that rules and regulations be developed. Trustee Davis agreed that additional input is needed and to proceed cautiously. President Smith suggested that the uniforms be put on hold until further development/research is conducted.
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Phillip E. Runkel grant application. Calvin Britain Elementary School Principal, Larry Gavin, presented the Phillip E. Runkel grant application, which proposed a program for civic-minded students. Calvin Britain is asking for funding to provide services to 3rd and 4th grade students to maximize resources to achieve and sustain high quality of Language Arts and Social Studies instruction. This would be done by providing field trips, literature books and guest speakers to develop the students' knowledge of civics and government at the local, county, state and federal level. The activities and projects would be coordinated with the Michigan Standards and Benchmarks and the BHAS curriculum. The strategies for this model would be for Calvin Britain School to be "made-up" as a city with street signs, a City Hall room, and Police Station and Courthouse. The students would be responsible for holding school elections similar to local, state and federal governments.
Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that
Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt a resolution, as
prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg, to appoint a School Elections
Administrator. Michigan School Code designates the secretary of a local school
district as the chief election officer. The secretary has the authority to
delegate election duties to a member of the District's administrative staff.
Therefore, it is being recommended that the Assistant Superintendent for
Business and Finance perform the regular duties of the secretary in the
administration of all school elections in the District.
Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt a resolution, as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg, to appoint Election Inspectors for the school election.
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the agreements for reasonable expenses relating to the collection of the 2003 summer school property taxes. An agreement has been reached with five of the eight taxing units located within the District boundaries to collect summer taxes.
Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that
Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve awarding the
bid for the fire alarm project. Bidding for the fire alarm replacement was
publicly opened on March 25, 2003 with two companies submitting bids. This
project is being funded from the Urgent Repairs Grant.
Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve awarding the bid for the sale of the Service Center Complex. Solicitation for sale of the Service Center commenced on January 2, 2003. The highest bid came in at $60,000, which included the bidder assuming the responsibility for the fuel tank, saving the District $98,000, the cost to remove and relocate the tank.
Mr. Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve awarding the bid for formal lawn and field mowing for the 2003 school year. Eleven companies submitted bids.
Mr. Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the sale of the Lafayette Building, formerly the Creative Arts Academy. The building was declared as surplus property and placed on the market for sale. A purchase price was offered at $100,000, however, the Board of Education asked management to renegotiate a price that would include closing costs, real estate fees, etc. The District now has a signed offer of $114,000.
Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board
action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the resolution for
the Michigan Readiness Program to fund the four-year-old pre-school program. The
amount of the Michigan Department of Education grant is $580,800, to provide
half-day pre-school sessions for 176 students.
Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the On Location program. BHAS has been a participant in the summer On Location program for the past eight years. The program allows sixth graders the opportunity to actively participate in the world of work and is an important part of our Career Pathway program. This summer's program would involve 100 students at approximately 25 community businesses to be conducted the week of June 16-20, 2003, and is funded through Title I.
Human Resources/Labor
Relations
Assistant Superintendent Nora Jefferson reported that Board action
would be requested at the regular meeting to approve:
Consent
Board action will be requested at the regular meeting to accept the
following donations to the Benton Harbor Area Schools:
Other
Trustee Henry submitted to the Board of Education, on behalf of the
Facility Naming Committee, 8 suggestions for their consideration in choosing a
name for the new BHAS Transportation Center. Four suggestions submitted were in
honor of former Superintendent of Schools Renee’ R. Williams, and four were in
honor of Garrett A. Morgan, the inventor of the traffic light. It was suggested
that the committee obtain formal approval from both parties for the use of their
names. This action item was deferred until the May Board meeting to allow time
for approvals.
Superintendent’s Update
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) appeals have been made back to the State Board of
Education, and Governor Granholm is scheduled to meet with school
superintendents to announce which schools did not meet AYP.
Congratulations were extended to the Berrien County Intermediate School District as recipients of the Magna Award presented at the National School Boards Association's Annual Conference.
A card of thanks was read from Brittney Hurst that extended her appreciation for the Board of Education's advertisement in the Miss Benton Harbor Pageant program.
Board Comments
Student Board trustee Brett Closson extended his appreciation to the staff at
BHHS for their assurance in his receipt of monthly Board informational packets,
and to Mr. Lyness and his staff for a great job in the set-up of Board of
Education meetings.
Student Board trustee Brittney Hurst extended her appreciation to the Board of Education for their approval of the BHHS Madrigals' trip to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Trustees Davis and Smith commented on their attendance at the excellent National School Boards Association's Annual Conference.
Trustee Peeples-Burks discussed The Race Relations Council of Southwest Michigan ceremony at Lake Michigan College's Upton Hall.
There being no further business, the April work session was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.