MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
APRIL 12, 2005

Vice President J. Allene Smith called the April Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:09 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present:  Mr. Ken Woltman (6:15), Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Anthony Henry, Dr. Perry Davis, Mr. Robert L. Bowman, Mr. Dan McGinnis and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Also Present:  Student Board Member Matthew Bradley

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Communications
Trustee Henry read a letter announcing a community celebration dinner honoring and supporting the Benton Harbor High School Mens Varsity Basketball Team for their outstanding season as regional champs.  The dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, 2005, at The Crossroads, 2860 S. M-139, Benton Harbor.  Tickets are $12.00 each and available at the Benton Harbor High School and The Crossroads.

Recognitions
Recognition of the BHHS Mens Varsity Basketball Team was rescheduled until the regular meeting.

Central Administration
In the absence of Superintendent Paula Dawning, Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Class of 2005 Senior Lock-In, scheduled for Friday, June 10th following the graduation ceremony.  Seniors are encouraged to attend this fun filled event, sponsored by Parents As Partners, to be held in the Student Commons that will include food, music, dancing, games and will be adult chaperoned.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations/Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to renew the formal lawn and field mowing contracts.  Formal bids were received in March 2003 for field and formal lawn mowing services for the 2003 school year.  The contracts were for one year with 2 one-year renewal options.  This is the 2nd year of the renewal option.

Group Director for Operations/Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to suspend Board policy DO - School Property Disposal Procedure.  The Board of Education has voted to close and raze Sterne Brunson Elementary School Building.  In a public forum held on March 16, 2005, it was recommended by citizens that the District first try to sell the property in order to save the demolition costs.  Current policy requires the District to have two appraisals on any property estimated over $100,000.  The appraisal costs are prohibitive with the District’s current financial abilities.  The Board has agreed to ask for two opinions from reputable real estate brokers on the fair market value of Sterne Brunson.  Once received the Board will then set an asking price.  If a valid offer is not secured by August 26, 2005, the District will resume its intent towards demolition. 

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the renewal and additional licenses for CompassLearning.  The instructional division has proposed the renewal and purchase of additional licenses of CompassLearning and CompassLearning Odyssey ELL software as follows:

100 Odyssey Enterprise software licenses and 30 ELL software licenses at a cost of $69,650.00.

Professional development services, material and software integration at a cost of $45,071.00.

Three-year software support for 300 licenses at a cost of $53,400.00.

Subtract price adjustments and discounts of $33,600.00.

Grand Total:  $134,521.00.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve an overnight trip for the 5th graders at Morton Elementary School to attend YMCA Sherman Lake Camp, scheduled for May 26-27, 2005.  Fund raising events have been ongoing for 40 students and 6 adult chaperones to attend this overnight event at a total cost of $2780.00.  Principal Wilma Arnold and teacher Kimberly Schaeffer were present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Instruction J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a High School Summer School program for the 2004-2005 school year.   There is a need to operate a secondary summer school program for those students requiring additional credit in order to be promoted to the next grade level or to fulfill high school graduation requirements.  All courses will be for BHHS students.  A tuition fee of $100 per class will be charged to students who attend BHHS, and $200 per class for those students attending from schools out of the District.  The program is scheduled to run June 20 – July 28, 2005, at Hull Middle School.  Assistant Principal Mary Meeks 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 Middle School Summer School program for the 2004-2005 school year.  There is a need to operate a Middle School Summer School program that will service students currently enrolled in grades 6-8.  The program will focus on all four-core subject areas: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.  All students currently enrolled in BHAS are Title I eligible, and will not be charged tuition.  Resident students attending other districts pursuant to the Desegregation Program will be charged a tuition rate of $75.00.  Resident students not enrolled in BHAS or involved in the Desegregation Program, and out-of-district students will be charged the tuition rate of $125.00.  Non-resident students will only be admitted to the Summer Program on a “space available” basis.  The program is scheduled to run June 20 – July 28, 2005, at Hull Middle School.  Principal Kevin Simmons was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a Middle School Summer Enrichment program for the 2004-2005 school year.  There is a need to operate a Middle School Summer Enrichment program that will service students currently enrolled in grades 6-8.  The focus of the “Mind the Gap” program will enable students to participate in a summer enrichment program to help retain skills learned this year, to be better prepared to begin the 2005-2006 school year, and to assist those students in closing their achievement gap.  This Title I program is scheduled to run June 20 – July 28, 2005, at Fair Plain Middle School.  Teacher Consultant Greg Rood was present to answer any questions.

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:

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

Other
Student Board member Matthew Bradley stated that the 5th grade students at M.L.K. would like for Project Tiger to continue next school year, and that the BHHS Varsity Mens Basketball Team should have been invited to participate in the Blossomtime Parade.

Trustee Smith encouraged Board members to consider being a chaperone at the 2005 Senior Lock-In.

Superintendent’s Update
Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Instruction Virginia Maxwell stated that Superintendent Paula Dawning is recovering from foot surgery.

Public Participation
Ms. Betty Simpson addressed the Board of Education stating her concerns with a substitute teacher at Sterne Brunson Elementary School.

Board Comments
Trustee Bowman commended Kevin Simmons, Mary Meeks and Greg Rood for the excellent summer school programs that are being offered.

Trustee Henry stated that he is anxious to receive the District’s 2005 Winter MEAP scores and that he is expecting to see great achievements.

Trustee Smith encouraged all to attend the celebration dinner honoring the Benton Harbor High School Mens Varsity Basketball Team.

There being no further business, the April work session was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.