MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
MAY 3, 2005

President Ken Woltman called the May Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:08 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present:  Mr. Ken Woltman, Mrs. J. Allene Smith (6:15), Dr. Perry Davis (6:45), Mr. Robert L. Bowman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Absent:  Mr. Anthony Henry and Mr. Dan McGinnis

Also Present:  Student Board Member Matthew Bradley

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps JROTC offered the Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

President Woltman left the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and Vice President Smith chaired the remainder of the work session.

Recognitions
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 1-7, 2005) Superintendent Dawning read a proclamation from the National Education Association proclaiming National Teacher Appreciation Week and Tuesday, May 3, 2005, as National Teacher Day.  Teachers will receive a luncheon on Wednesday compliments of Aramark Food Service.

In recognition of School Nurse Day (May 11, 2005) Superintendent Dawning read a proclamation from the State of Michigan, Executive Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm proclaiming Wednesday, May 11, 2005, as School Nurse Day.

Recognition and praise was given to Benton Harbor High School Key Club officers and their advisor for being accredited as a Distinguished Service Club and receiving Certificates of Achievement during their annual Key Club Convention April 22-24, 2005.

Recognition and praise was extended to students from CAA/G&T Academy, Boynton Montessori and Benton Harbor High School as winners in the recent Arts & Science Expo held at the Orchards Mall.

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

Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve Project Renaissance.  Superintendent Dawning, Director of Career and Technical Education, Carole Fetke, Principal of Benton Harbor High School, Dimitric Roseboro and Director of Special Education, Robert Silver presented information via a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed Project Renaissance.    Information presented included current District status, Education Yes!, MEAP scores and student enrollment projections.  Project Renaissance is a blueprint for change to fundamentally change the structure of the District.  Project Renaissance, as proposed using the John’s Hopkins University model, will position the District to better respond to the educational needs of every student at an individualized level, enhance student learning, increase rigor to attain higher achievement levels, increase personalization and relevance and close the achievement gap.  The proposed programming would also enhance faculty-teaching skills to facilitate student learning.

Benton Harbor Area Schools is the recipient of a United States Department of Education Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) study grant.  BHHS staff has spent the current school year in study and research of best practices for improving student achievement and how to enhance faculty effectiveness.  A planning team composed of administrators, teachers, community representatives, students and parents have been working together to identify the priority areas for change and to develop a plan to improve the graduation rates, student attendance and academic achievement.  The team has identified a model developed by John’s Hopkins University called the Talent Development High School (TDHS).

The Talent Development High School (Project Renaissance) is a comprehensive whole-school reform model for large high schools that face serious problems with student attendance, discipline, achievement scores and dropout rates.  A planning committee made up of key school leaders spends a year to involve faculty, parents and students in developing the school plan for Talent Development reforms.  The goal of the Talent Development High School is to provide students with the learning opportunities, motivation and support they need to overcome poor prior preparation and successfully complete a core college prep curriculum.

The components of the TDHS are a ninth grade academy, multiple career academies and an alternative program called the twilight academy.  This is a multi-year implementation process with the freshman and twilight academies to be implemented for the 2005-2006 academic year and the career academies in 2006-2007.

Additional proposed components include an alternative program for parenting teens, middle school consolidation and a special education plan.

The student enrollment in the county and BHAS is declining and it is forecasted to continue.  The current middle schools enrollment is 1055 and it is projected to decline to 852 by 2007-08.  There is a need to increase the rigor in the middle school programs to provide more options to parents.  There is a desire to increase our emphasis in math, science, technology and create choices for parents.  Two middle schools would meet the needs of the District presently and into the foreseeable future.  Two buildings, Hull and Fair Plain have the capacity to service 1225 students.  This is well above the forecasted number of students expected to be enrolled in the District.

There are special education students in the elementary and secondary levels that would be better served in a self-contained facility.  Stump School was built for special education students and could be re-opened.  A K-12 building is needed with two elementary classrooms and three classrooms each for middle and high school.  The Edventures Academy would be closed and the students transferred to the new special education school.  The goal is to adequately address the anti-social behaviors while concurrently addressing the educational needs of this group of students.

To successfully implement Project Renaissance a three-year minimum commitment is required at a cost of approximately $300,000.

Trustee Bowman questioned the proposed Project Renaissance program and cautioned moving too fast, due to past programs not being held accountable or showing any student improvement.  Mr. Bowman asked for additional information.

Student Board member Bradley questioned the special education component of Project Renaissance.

Trustee Smith asked that Project Renaissance be tabled and that a Board of Education retreat be held to allow further trustee discussion and to work out the preliminaries.

Superintendent Dawning asked that the Board of Education retreat be held fairly quickly due to the time sensitive components of Project Renaissance and the SLC grant being due May 31, 2005.

Project Renaissance was tabled until after the Board of Education retreat is held.

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo requested that the resolution to approve the Berrien County Intermediate School District’s (BCISD) 2005-2006 operating budget be added to the work session agenda.  Board action would be requested the regular meeting to approve the BCISD 2005-2006 operating budget, as required by Section 624 of the Revised School Code.  No later than June 1 of each year, the Board of each constituent district shall review the proposed budget for the intermediate school district and shall adopt a board resolution expressing its support for or disapproval of the proposed intermediate school district budget.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations/Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the sale and asking price for the Sterne Brunson building.  The Board of Education requested that a market analysis be done on the property so that an asking price can be set.  Three brokers submitted a market analysis on the property and it is suggested that a minimum bid of $65,000 be placed on the Sterne Brunson building.

Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a 2005 summer lunch program.  The summer lunch program provides nutritious meals to be served to children who might not otherwise have meals available at 10 sites throughout the Benton Harbor community.  The summer lunch program is reimbursed 100% by the USDA.

Group Director Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve awarding the bid for petroleum products.  On April 12, 2005, thirteen potential suppliers of petroleum products were solicited to provide proposals for the supply of gasoline and diesel fuel for the 2005-2006 school year.  Two proposals have been received.

The Stump School building agenda item was tabled until after the Board of Education retreat for Project Renaissance.

As an informational item, Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported on the Jimmy Carter Work Project scheduled for June 19-26, 2005.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools, as a partner in the community, will provide transportation for volunteers using District buses and ARAMARK will provide breakfast and lunch.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) contracts for 3 buildings.  For the past several years the District has participated in the Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) program at 3 elementary schools: Fair Plain West, Sorter and Sterne Brunson.

To cover license and services to be provided by HOSTS, the District agrees to pay $6,600 for Sorter and Sterne Brunson and $5,900 for Fair Plain West for a total of $19,100 for the 2005-2006 school year.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a 5th grade Summer Science Enrichment Camp.  There is a need to provide a program that will introduce 5th grade students to the 6th grade level content expectations and to review some of the more difficult concepts from 5th grade.  This program will assist students in transition to Middle School.  Eligibility will be based on Title I requirements and science MEAP scores.  Three sessions will be held with each session lasting 2 weeks running concurrent with elementary summer school (June 20-July 28).  Funding for the 5th grade Summer Science Enrichment Camp will be covered with Title I funds.  Teacher Paul Lee was present to answer any questions.

In the absence of Assistant Superintendent J. Leonard Wright, Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a Hull Middle School Mathematics Program.  Hull Middle School Principal, Kevin Simmons was present and disseminated a packet of information from Educational Development Associates, Inc., (EDA) on Acaletics Mathematics Program.  The Acaletics Mathematics Program is designed to assist teachers, staff and administrators in developing strategies to improve 8th grade students’ performance in math and on state-administered assessments.  EDA has provided consulting services, training and support materials from October 2004 through February 2005, at a total cost of $18,992.00.

Superintendent’s Update
The District has been notified of the Reading First Grant being approved for the 2005-2006 school year in the amount of $857,252.00.

The Career/Technical Center Awards Banquet was held last night at Lake Michigan College, Mendel Center with record attendance.

Recognition was extended to the industrial and technology education students as they competed in the 2005 regional and state competitions.  Many BHAS students placed in categories.

A BHAS elementary student received minor injuries in a hit and run accident on Monday.

The Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) scores are available, however, the preliminary scores are to be corrected and expected for review tomorrow.

The McCord Middle School Band will not be allowed to play the song, “Louie, Louie” in the 2005 Blossomtime Parade, due to the original words being very vulgar and offensive.  The words to “Louie, Louie” are available for parents to review.

The Michigan Association of School Boards will honor the Professional Health Careers Academy as an exemplary program in Lansing tomorrow.

Public Participation
Mr. Dayrl Jackson, Sr. addressed the Board of Education stating concerns of his son’s athletic plaque being taken down from the Benton Harbor High School Wall of Fame.

Ms. Danielle Crump addressed the Board of Education questioning why McCord Middle School Band is not being allowed to play the song, “Louie, Louie” in the Blossomtime Parade.

Ten additional public participants addressed the Board of Education expressing their concerns with McCord Middle School Band not being allowed to play the song, “Louie, Louie” in the Blossomtime Parade.

Superintendent Dawning suggested that McCord band parents sign a petition in support of allowing their child to play the song, “Louie, Louie” in the parade.  If the majority of McCord band parents are in agreement to allow their child to play the song then the decision will certainly be reconsidered.  The intention was not to cause any harm to the students or McCord band, but only to hold students to a higher standard.

Ms. Felicia Smith addressed the Board of Education stating that she is not in favor of the proposed middle school consolidation.

Mrs. Stephanie Spivey addressed the Board of Education questioning the proposed Project Renaissance and the new boundaries of the redistricting.  She also stated that the Benton Harbor High School Marching Band would not be playing offensive music during the parade.

Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks addressed the Board of Education expressing her support for the proposed Project Renaissance and encouraged trustees to consider this program as an aid in improving academic instruction and reflected on past District programming.  She also commended the HOSTS program, as she has been a mentor for 7 years. 

Mrs. Betty Bowman addressed the Board of Education stating that the District must have qualified teachers teaching the core curriculum to overcome any deficits.  The forthcoming MEAP scores in math at the middle schools will show that the District is making great strides in educational advancements.

Board Comments
Student Board member Matthew Bradley stated that he is not in support of banning the song, “Louie, Louie” and that the proposed Project Renaissance needs additional planning to implement.

Trustee Fort extended her appreciation to teachers and nurses and expressed her support for setting higher standards for staff and students even in music.  Mrs. Fort commended Principal Kevin Simmons for his eagerness and job performance.

Trustee Davis expressed his support of the superintendent setting standards in music and stated that the song, “Louie, Louie” has a great beat, but if the words are offensive then that needs to be considered.  Dr. Davis commended the Professional Health Careers Academy program.

Trustee Smith commended the BHAS students who participated in the annual SJ/BH Rotary track meet for their excellent athletic ability.

There being no further business, the May work session was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.