The April regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Dwight P. Mitchell at 6:05 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Ms. Jones that the Minutes of the work session of March 5, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Henry that the Minutes of the special meeting of March 5, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Ms. Jones that the Minutes of the regular meeting of March 12, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Robinson that the Minutes of the special meeting of March 26, 2002 be approved as printed.

President Dwight P. Mitchell has been nominated to receive the 2002 Lake Michigan College Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award.

Praise was given to the Fair Plain West Elementary School students for their outstanding donation to the Pennies for Cancer Berrien County fundraiser.

Appreciation was given to the Benton Spirit staff for the wonderful articles featuring BHAS students.

Members of the BHHS girls’ track and golf teams were commended for a successful season as the track team has received a plaque and the golf team won last night’s game against St. Joseph.

Recognition was extended to the BHHS Madrigals Choir as they are participating in a state competition this weekend.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the request from Ms. Sandra Douglas, Executive Director of the Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries to utilize the BHAS property located at Jefferson and High Streets (former location of the Jefferson building) in Benton Harbor as a site for The Summer Youth Beautification Pride Project 2002.

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

Tuesday, April 16, 2002 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, May 7, 2002 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.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the resolutions for the Purpose of Election, Give Notice of Election and Appoint Inspectors for the regular school election, as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the purchase of equipment and controls from Trane Company of Grand Rapids for $139,700.00 to replace the unit ventilators and piping at McCord Renaissance Center.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the McCord Renaissance Center mechanical piping bid to ABC Preferred Plumbing of St. Joseph, Michigan in the amount of $128,000.00.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education renew its contract for formal lawn and field mowing services with R&H Lawncare of Bridgman, MI for the 2002 mowing season.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education waive the Performing Arts Center’s rental and associated fees for the Benton Harbor African Arts & Cultural Council production.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the District’s participation in the 2002 summer On Location program scheduled for June 17-22, 2002.

THAT the Board of Education officially approve the Boynton Montessori trip to Five Pines Ministries scheduled for May 21, 2002.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the resolution confirming the District’s Operating Agreement with the Michigan Coalition of Essential Schools assisting Fair Plain Northeast School with its school improvement efforts as outlined in the contract.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Elementary Summer School program for the 2001-2002 school year.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education authorize the termination of negotiations for a tentative operating contract with The Leona Group Michigan, LLC.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education lift off the table the issue of relocating Pipestone Pre-school classrooms.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education hereby authorize the Superintendent to relocate the Pipestone Pre-school classrooms to the Morton, Sterne Brunson, Calvin Britain and MLK Elementary Schools for the 2002-2003 school year.

THAT Mr. Atanacio Cristobal’s retirement be acknowledged and accepted and that a letter be sent to him thanking him for his services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

THAT Mr. Alex McNutt’s retirement be acknowledged and accepted and that a letter be sent to him thanking him for his services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

THAT Ms. Raejene Shaffer’s retirement be acknowledged and accepted and that a letter be sent to her thanking her for her services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Exciting District information is featured in the BHAS Community Newsletter, which is ready to print.

Benton Harbor Area Schools 6^th and 7^th grade math teachers have spent their own time training at Western Michigan and Andrews Universities and will also be attending a National Math Conference.

Ms. Brigitte Johnson addressed the Board of Education questioning why the pre-school program is not offered at each elementary site.

Mr. DiRicki Mose addressed the Board of Education representing the National Society of Black Engineers West Michigan Alumni Extension (NSBE-WMAE). Mr. Mose discussed the program, which is designed to stimulate and develop student interest in the various engineering disciplines and to increase the number of minority students studying engineering at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Mrs. Stephanie Gunter addressed the Board of Education in support of pre-schoolers being housed in a safe environment at Calvin Britain Elementary School.

Mrs. Virginia Maxwell addressed the Board of Education commending parents for their attendance at the Title I Workshop.

Ms. Princella Tobias and Mr. Desmond Murray addressed the Board of Education seeking the District’s support for the Benton Spirit Community Newspaper.

Mr. Patrick Jimison addressed the Board of Education stating that exciting times are happening in Benton Harbor and shared that each District throughout Berrien County was represented at the last Council for World Class Communities (CWCC) conference.

Mr. Michael Blanks addressed the Board of Education stating that he attended the Council for World Class Communities (CWCC) conference and disagrees with the notion that students are responsible for learning and suggested that teachers are responsible for student learning.