MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
APRIL 18, 2000

The April regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Carolyn Graves at 6:06 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mrs. Annie Robinson, Ms. Michelle Jones, Mr. Waymon Hodges, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman and Ms. Carolyn Graves

President Graves welcomed everyone and explained that items discussed at the work session are voted on at the regular meeting.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the work session of March 7, 2000 be approved as printed. 

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the special meeting of March 7, 2000 be approved as printed. 

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the regular meeting of March 14, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Jones that the Minutes of the special meeting of March 27, 2000 be approved as printed. 

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that vendor payments in the amount of $1,459,444.59 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education Trustees will receive recognition and awards during the Michigan Association of School Boards 2000 Regional Meetings and Awards Ceremonies, Region 6, May 4, 2000 in Edwardsburg, MI.

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of the BHHS 1923 school picture donation from Mrs. Nancy (Bruce) Conybeare.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Smith:

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

Tuesday, April 18, 2000 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, May 2, 2000 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.

Business/Finance
Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Board of Education revise the 1999-2000 operational budget to reflect adjustments and changes which have occurred since the June 29, 1999 adoption.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Board of Education adopt the resolution as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg to appoint a school elections administrator.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Board of Education approve the resolutions as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg indicating the Purpose of School Election, Appointing School Election Inspectors and giving Notice of Regular School Election.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education award the Formal Lawn Mowing Services to RH Lawn of Bridgman, MI for the 2000-2001 mowing season.  This is a one-year contract with 2 one-year renewal options.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education award the Field Mowing Contract to the low bidder, RH Lawn of Bridgman, MI for the 2000-2001 mowing season.  This is a one-year contract with 2 one-year renewal options.

The motion passed on the following vote: 

AYES: Ms. Jones  NAYS: Mr. Hodges
  Dr. Peeples-Burks  Ms. Graves
Mr. Woltman
Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Robinson

Instruction
Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT the Board of Education officially recognize and give praise to the following Benton Harbor High School Class of 2000 top ten students.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Ms. Jones and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Board of Education officially recognize and give praise to Ms. Gisele Flowers-Hardaway, Special Education Teacher, and BHHS student Patrick Washington for being selected as the Outstanding Special Populations Professional and Outstanding Special Populations student.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Ms. Jones and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education give formal recognition and praise to the Benton Harbor High School Symphony Band and Troy Jones, Director, for outstanding accomplishment in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Festival at Lake Michigan College.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Mr. Greg Rood, Science Trainer, presented an update on the Inner City Sail Summer "X" 2000 program that is designed to inspire seventh and eighth graders to gain a better understanding of math and science.  The BHAS Inner City Sail Club's boathouse is transformed into a science lab where students learn specific science and math concepts using microscopes and laptop computers.  The class is scheduled to meet 3 days a week and is available to 62 students.

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

THAT the Board of Education approve the Benton Harbor Area Schools 2000 Inner City Sail Club Summer "X" Program.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education approve the 2000 Secondary Summer School Program.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education approve the Perkins III Grant resolution to extend the Agreement for the Designation of Fiscal Agency and Operation of Cooperative Career & Technical Education Programs.  The resolution would remain in effect for 4 years (2000-2004).

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Ms. Jones and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Board of Education approve the purchase of the Scott Foresman Science Program to enhance the District's K-6 instructional program.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #15
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Board of Education approve the 1999-2000 Elementary Summer School Program.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Dr. JohnL Jackson, Director of Student Assessment, discussed the results of the BHAS 7th and 8th grade 1999 MEAP tests to insure accuracy in the interpretations of how the State of Michigan calculates the results.

Superintendent Williams and Assistant Superintendent Giffels discussed the Michigan Department of Education 1999-2000 Pupil Headcount Report as it relates to student graduation vs. dropout.  A five-year BHAS graph chart indicating retention, dropout and graduation rates was disseminated.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #16
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT Ms. Ellen Fogarty be employed as a Science teacher by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective March 3, 2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #17<>
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Hodges:

THAT Mr. Richard Evich's resignation be accepted and a letter be sent to him thanking him for his services to the Benton Harbor Area Schools. 

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Mr. Noel Lewis be placed on Second Year Probation effective April 12, 2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Beverly Lloyd be placed on Third Year Probation effective April 6, 2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Mrs. Sylvia Wilson be placed on Third Year Probation effective April 24, 2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Heather Dellay be placed on Fourth Year Probation effective April 14, 2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #22
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Board of Education approve the agreed upon 2000-2001 school calendar.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #23
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools, exercising the option permitted by Section 1284 of the Revised School Code, has established a school calendar for all the schools in this district that ensures for the 2000-2001 school year at least 180 days and 1,098 hours of student instruction.

If the percentage increase in the basic foundation grant for 2000-2001 is not sufficient to cause an increase in the number of days and hours of instruction for 2000-2001 as set forth in the Section 1284 schedule, the Board of Education reserves the right to modify the school calendar for this district.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Superintendent's Update

Public Participation
Ms. Barbara Pence addressed the Board asking for consideration of a new way to present student conferences.  A parent survey showed that the District should hold additional evening conferences to accommodate working parents. She also suggested moving the student conferences to the middle of the marking period to encourage any weakness with students to improve by the end of the marking period.

Ms. Sylvia Henry addressed the Board encouraging the media to report the good happenings in BHAS such as the BHAS National Honors Society Awards Ceremony.

Board Comments
Trustee Smith commended the BHAS National Honors Society students and their advisors for an excellent program held last night.

Trustee Hodges requested additional information on the proposed BCISD millage.

There being no further business, the April regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.