MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
APRIL 11, 2006

President J. Allene Smith called the April 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. Ken Woltman, Mr. Robert Bowman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Absent:  Mr. Anthony Henry

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.

Recognitions
Calvin Britain Elementary School teacher Rosemary Niemzyk was honored for going the extra mile in helping a student in her class who is deaf.  Mrs. Niemzyk facilitated a surgery that will enable the student to hear for the first time in her life.

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

• JH – Student Activities (Revised)

• JH-R – Student Activities Rules and Regulations (Revised)

• JHCAA – Student Activities/Student Organizations/Secret Societies (Revised)

• JHCC – Student Activities/Student Organizations/Student Publications (Revised)

• GAAA – Equal Opportunity Employment (Revised)

• GAAA-E – Benton Harbor Area Schools Affirmative Action Policy (Revised)

• BBBG – Board Self-Evaluation (New)

Trustee McGinnis questioned policy JH - Student Activities stating that the City of Benton Harbor has a curfew and the importance of policies complying with city ordinances.  Policy JH will be reworded to add this important fact to the policy.

Group Director of Information Technology Bill Kaeding reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a Renaissance Fiber Network Operating Agreement with Lake Michigan College and ACD.net to cooperate in the building and on-going maintenance of a fiber optic network.

The benefits of a fiber based wide area network include consolidation of voice, video and data transmissions and increased instructional opportunities that include video conferencing and video streaming.  Substantial savings can be realized by partnering with other entities.

Instruction
A C.L.A.S.S. Act presentation by teacher Kelly Lee was rescheduled for the regular meeting.

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2006 Middle School and High School Summer School Programs.  Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School Principal Layne Hunt, Assistant Principal Sa’Keenha Odum and teacher Columbus Wilder presented both secondary summer school proposals.  The middle school summer school goal is to provide classes for Benton Harbor Area School students who need to complete one or two classes successfully to fulfill requirements for promotion to their next grade level.  Middle school summer school is scheduled for Mondays – Thursdays, June 19 – August 2, 2006, at the Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School for approximately 100 students.

The mission of high school summer school is to provide classes for high school students who need to earn credit(s) to move the next grade level and/or to complete graduation requirements.  The students end of course exams will determine the curriculum and standards used during the summer sessions.  High school summer school is scheduled for Mondays – Thursdays, June 19 – August 2, 2006, at the Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School for approximately 125 students.  Course offerings include:  English 9 & 10, Pre Algebra, Physical Science, Geography, English 11 & 12, Algebra, Biology and US History.  Enrollment costs are $100 per class for Benton Harbor Area Schools students and $200 per class for out of district students.

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:

• Professional Staff Resigning

• Possible Contract Non-Renewal

Superintendent’s Update
Dr. Joseph Payton is recovering wonderfully well from his recent surgery.

The Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) has notified the District that the Benton Harbor Area Schools has won a 2006 Education Excellence Award.  A press release will be out soon to identify the program.

Public Participation
Mr. Ron Lyness addressed the Board of Education stating that the BHHS Key Club members attended the annual Key Club Convention and received for the 3^rd year the Excellence Award.  Benton Harbor High School is the only high school in the state to receive this award for 3 consecutive years.  Benton Harbor High School Key Club member Jessica Cotton was also elected as Lieutenant Governor.

Students from the Passing The Torch, a workshop series sponsored by the Benton Harbor CDEM Agency, addressed the Board of Education seeking information on school procedures and policies.  A list of questions was presented to the Board president for reply and the Board of Education also received a pedestal torch.

Board Comments
Student Board member Trenton Bowens commended teacher Rosemary Niemzyk and disseminated an invitation to attend the Benton Harbor Youth-In-Government A Moment of History Youth Election, scheduled for 12:00 – 2:00 pm Saturday, April 29, 2006, at the Virginia Edwards Center.

Student Board member Samantha Gunter commended teacher Rosemary Niemzyk.

Trustee Fort extended her appreciation to teacher Rosemary Niemzyk and discussed the Leadership Community Change Project member’s participation in an event in Olive Branch, Mississippi.

Trustee Bowman responded to a Passing the Torch question regarding textbooks stating that textbooks are expensive and stressed the importance of students taking care of their assigned books.  He noted that several textbooks are available online for review.  Mr. Bowman encouraged the Passing the Torch students to not make negative comments during their presentation, but instead ask what can be done to help you.

Trustee Davis reiterated the availability of textbooks online and also the importance of adding solutions when bringing problems.

Trustee McGinnis stated that the Benton Harbor Chess Club is scheduled to compete with New Buffalo Schools on Saturday, April 29, 2006.  The game of chess is played each Thursday at Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School if anyone is interested in viewing the program.  Mr. McGinnis commended the student Board members for their comments, and attendance and acknowledged the Passing the Torch questions as being legitimate.

Trustee Smith congratulated teacher Rosemary Niemzyk and the Benton Harbor High School Key Club members.

There being no further business, the April work session was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.