The April regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President J. Allene Smith at 6:15 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present: Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks (6:47), Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell and Dr. Perry Davis

Absent: Mrs. Michelle Bennett, and Student Trustees Brittney Hurst and Brett Closson

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

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of March 4, 2003 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 March 11, 2003 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Henry that vendor payments in the amount of $1,643,132.50 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Recognition and praise was extended to Henry C. Morton Elementary School students for their exceptional number of books read in the Accelerated Reader program. Each student received a token of appreciation.

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

THAT Board policies:

• BBFA - Parent/Guardian Involvement - Title I Programs
• IKD - School Ceremonies and Observances
• JBCD - Homeless Children

be hereby adopted as policies of the School District and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.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
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Phillip E. Runkel grant application as submitted on behalf of Calvin Britain Elementary School.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

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

Tuesday, April 15, 2003 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, May 6, 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.

Staff Report #3A
Trustee Peeples-Burks read a resolution and staff report 3A for the purpose of naming the new transportation center.

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

THAT staff report 3A, approval of the resolution to name the BHAS Transportation Center, be tabled until the end of the regular meeting for the purpose of further discussion.

The motion failed on the following vote:

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially adopt the resolution for naming the new transportation center as The Benton Harbor Area Schools Transportation Center, Renee' Robinson Williams Building.

The motion passed on the following vote:

Business/Finance
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the school code of 1976 (as amended, section 380.1001) provides that "The secretary of a school district, a local act district, or a intermediate school district shall be the chief election officer of the respective district with authority to delegate election duties to a member of the district's administrative staff'."

Therefore, I, secretary of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education, do hereby appoint the Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance to perform the regular duties of the secretary in the administration of all school elections in the district.

The appointment and the accompanying constitutional oath of office shall be incorporated as part of the official minutes of the Board of Education.

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 adopt the resolution as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg indicating the purpose of appointing election inspectors.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the agreements for reasonable expenses relating to the collection of the 2003 summer school property taxes with the following governing units:

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the Fire Alarm Project to IBID County Electric of Benton Harbor, MI for the low bid of $221,159.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education sell the Service Center Complex to the high bidder, B and Z Construction of Benton Harbor, in the amount of $60,000.00. It shall be written into the sale agreement that possession would take place after the Benton Harbor Area Schools has moved and vacated all personal and real property located at the complex.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the formal lawn-mowing contract to the Greenskeeper, Inc. The Greenskeeper has done mowing for the District in the past and has done an adequate job. This contract will be for one year with 2 one-year renewal options.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the field-mowing contract to the Greenskeeper, Inc. The Greenskeeper has done mowing for the District in the past and has done an adequate job. This contract will be for one year with 2 one-year renewal options.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education sell the Lafayette building (formerly the Creative Arts Academy) to The Church of Benton Harbor for $114,000.00. Further, the Board of Education instructs the District's legal counsel to prepare the necessary documents for closing the sale.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
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 adopt the Pre-School Participating Resolution for a grant in the amount of $580,800.00 to fund the four-year-old Pre-School Program for the 2002-2003 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the District's participation in this summer's On Location program from June 16-20, 2003.

The motion passed by the following vote:

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

THAT Mrs. Edith Gavin's retirement be acknowledged and accepted and that a letter from the District be sent to her thanking her for 25 years of service to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #15 was removed from the regular meeting agenda.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the donation of 60 Dell computers from the Whirlpool Foundation valued at approximately $27,000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the Wal-Mart Foundation donation in the amount of $1,000 toward the Drive For Success reading project.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #18
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the monetary donation in the amount of $395.00 from Mr. Keith Norwood to the McCord Travelers at McCord Renaissance Center.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #19
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the donation of a 2003 Physician's Desk Reference book valued at $210.00, from Dr. and Mrs. Anthony (Erin) Salvagione.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #20
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of a $2000.00 United Way of Southwest Michigan donation for 4-6 young ladies of the Benton Harbor Area Schools to attend the St. Mary's College Paula Program.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #21
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of a $500.00 donation to the Drive For Success reading initiative from the Second Baptist Church.

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 labor matters.

Superintendent's Update
Superintendent Dawning discussed an Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) meeting, held April 14, in Lansing with Governor Granholm where schools not making AYP were announced. Benton Harbor Area Schools has 5 buildings on that list, which include Fair Plain, Hull and McCord Middle Schools, Sorter Elementary and Fair Plain Northeast Elementary Schools.

The 2002-2003 Title I Parent Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 at Lake Michigan College.

The Michigan State Police will soon conduct the Benton Harbor Area Schools annual transportation bus inspection.

The BHHS Key Club placed 2^nd in the State Finals, and BHHS 11^th grader, Jamar Moore was elected as Lieutenant Governor of Division 6.

Public Participation
Mr. Isiah Newson addressed the Board of Education questioning why the Board does not discuss the academics of the District such as the dropout rate, expulsions and suspensions. He stressed the importance of students receiving the correct tools needed for academic success. Mr. Newson also commented that there are 400 less students graduating this year than the number of students enrolled four years ago as freshmen, and questioned what happened to those 400 students.

Mr. Leroy Lane addressed the Board of Education asking if the District is still accepting bids for the sale of the Lafayette building.

Mrs. Lisa Peeples-Hurst addressed the Board of Education in support of Mr. Newson's statements, and asked for detailed information on Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). She also sought an answer to the non-consistent BHAS tardy policy, as requested months ago.

Board Comments
Trustee Henry stated that he is in support of students receiving the academic tools needed for success.

Trustee Mitchell commented on the absence of students stating that the City of Benton Harbor has conducted a study on vacated homes, and a possible reason for 400 less students could be due to relocation or the demolition of housing.

Trustee Peeples-Burks commended the staff and students at Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School for a wonderful reception honoring her in recognition of Board Appreciation Month.

Trustee Woltman praised community resident Marion Shannon-Oliver for her parental involvement supporting her high achieving daughter Alexandra Shannon.

Trustee Smith acknowledged her attendance at the April 14 meeting with Governor Granholm regarding Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Henry:

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Board recessed to closed session at 7:30 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, Mrs. Gloria Cleveland, Mr. Jeffery Stewart and Mrs. Priscilla Scott and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

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

THAT Ms. Amy Rhew's resignation be accepted effective at the close of 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 Mr. Jeffery Stewart's resignation be accepted effective immediately.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business, the April regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.