President J. Allene Smith called the May work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:09 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

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

Also Present: Student Board member Brett Closson

Communications
Trustee Gladys Peeples-Burks read a letter written to Mr. Isiah Newson from President J. Allene Smith that addressed his concerns regarding the academics of the District. The letter outlined the academic adoptions of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education.

Recognitions
BHHS students Yolanda Lucus and Duran Williams were recognized as recipients of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Award.

BHAS Career/Technical Education students were formally recognized for the awards they received at the recent Career/Technical Banquet held at Lake Michigan College.

BHHS student Brittany Watts was recognized as the Design An Ad Contest winner as sponsored by The Herald-Palladium.

Recognition and praise was extended to the BHHS Key Club students and their advisor for placing second in the Platinum Division of the Michigan District Key Club International.

Recognition was extended to District teachers, as May 4-10, 2003 is Teacher Appreciation Week.

Recognition was extended to District nurses, as May 7, 2003 is School Nurse Day.

Recognition and praise was extended to the Class of 2003 Top Ten Seniors.

BHAS student Nikia Davis was congratulated for being accepted as a member of the 2003-2004 freshmen class of the Berrien County Mathematics and Science Center. Five District students were also given honorable mention for distinguished effort in the application process.

Recognition was given to Board trustees Smith and Peeples-Burks for each receiving an award as Master Board Member and Master Diamond Member, respectively, by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB).

Mr. Bruce Clapp, Principal of Creative Arts/Gifted & Talented Academy, presented his school report, via a PowerPoint presentation, that included information on instructional, student and parent activities, building accomplishments and major student performances. Students gave a wonderful performance by singing songs, playing recorders and tap dancing.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve revisions/additions to the following Board policies:

KGA - Smoking in School Facilities - Revised

JCDAA - Students Rights and Responsibilities/Conduct Behavior Code/Smoking Revised

GAN - Personnel/Unlawful Drugs in the Workplace - Revised

JCDAB - Students Rights and Responsibilities/Conduct Behavior Code/Alcohol Use - Revised

JCDAC - Students Rights and Responsibilities/Conduct Behavior Code/Drug Use - Revised

JCAB - Students Rights and Responsibilities Civil Rights of Minors/Interrogations and Searches - Revised

GAM - Possessing, Transporting or Transmitting Dangerous Weapons - New

The policies presented for Board approval are a requirement of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Business/Finance
In the absence of Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance, Sheletha Bobo, Superintendent Dawning reported that a special Board of Education meeting would be scheduled for the purpose of adopting the 2003-2004 operating budget.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve an Energy Education, Inc., (EEI) proposal. Mr. Michael Bitar, EEI representative, was present and disseminated information regarding the four-year program guaranteed to conserve energy.

Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve awarding the bid for installation of univents. Bids were opened on May 1, 2003 with 2 companies submitting bids.

Mr. Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve awarding the bid for fuel tank installation at the new transportation center. Bids were opened on April 24, 2003 with 2 companies submitting bids.

Mr. Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2003 Summer Lunch Program. The program provides nutritious meals to District children at various parks within the City of Benton Harbor and is 100% reimbursed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the BHHS Summer School Program. A tuition fee of $100.00 per course will be charged to BHHS students and $200.00 per class for students attending from educational institutions outside the District. The program will run from June 23-August 8, 2003. Mr. Howard Cousins was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Elementary Summer School Program. The Summer program will be located at Calvin Britain Elementary School and is funded by Title I. Non-Title I students will be eligible to attend on a $50.00 tuition basis; non-resident students or residents enrolled in Charter Schools or Schools of Choice will be charged $100.00 tuition rate.

Mrs. Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Middle School Summer Program. The program will focus on all four-core subjects and will be housed at the McCord Renaissance Middle School to run from June 16 - July 24, 2003. All students currently enrolled in our District will not be charged tuition. Resident students attending other Districts will be charged a tuition rate of $75.00 and out-of-district students will be charged the tuition rate of $125.00. Mr. Greg Rood was present to discuss the program and answer any questions.

As an informational item, Mrs. Maxwell discussed a spring campaign designed to acknowledge the good things happening in the District and to encourage parents to re-enroll their children in Benton Harbor Area Schools. A series of meetings have been scheduled for Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:

• May 21 at Fair Plain Middle School
• May 28 at Sorter Elementary School
• June 4 at Hull Middle School
• June 11 at Benton Harbor High School

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Assistant Superintendent Nora Jefferson reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve:

• Administrative Staff Retiring
• Employment of Professional Staff
• Professional Staff Retiring
• 2003-2004 School Calendar
• Layoff of Professional Staff

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

$100.00 from Chemical Bank Shoreline to McCord Renaissance Middle School 7th Grade Class

Other
The Benton Harbor High School Parents As Partners will be sponsoring the Class of 2003 Senior Lock-In scheduled for Friday, June 6 from 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. at the Benton Harbor High School. All BHHS seniors are encouraged to participate.

Superintendent’s Update
Superintendent Dawning acknowledged that the month of May is promising to be very busy and exciting with all of the building celebrations and honors as the 2002-2003 school year comes to a close.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools is currently involved in contract negotiations with three of the District's labor unions.

The dedication ceremony for the new Benton Harbor Area Schools Transportation Center, Renee' R. Williams Building, is scheduled for 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 11.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has met 4 of the 5 Board goals as established at the start of the 2002-2003 school year.

The 2002-2003 Board of Education goals are:

Establishment of an alternative program.

Improve student achievement by 15%.

Decrease student dropout rate by 10%.

Consistency in the administration of the Uniform Code of Discipline and Students' Rights and Responsibilities.

Establish a dress code for students and staff.

Public Participation
Mr. Isiah Newson addressed the Board of Education regarding the letter read aloud, which was addressed to him and read his email letter sent to the Board of Education. Mr. Newson reiterated his concerns with the academics of the District and requested the freshman enrollment figures for the last five years.

Board Comments
Trustee Davis stated his appreciation for the time and dedication spent by the Board of Education to the District and applauded the CAA/G&T staff and students for their wonderful presentation.

Trustee Henry expressed his concern with the students who have elected to dropout of school and his interest in the forthcoming academic achievement statistics.

Trustee Mitchell stated that the City of Benton Harbor does offer recreational opportunities for children and encouraged the involvement of parents and community members to ensure the maintenance of the programs. The Board of Education is dedicated to the academic success of students and the progress of the District.

Trustee Peeples-Burks stated that parents need to understand that the Board of Education executes the District's policies and the staff delivers. The Board of Education minutes reflect items of discussion. Dr. Peeples-Burks expressed her concerns with the recent shooting of a BHHS student and how this is an example of decent parents with children making poor judgements.

Trustee Smith commended her Board colleagues for their dedication in ensuring the success and progress of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

There being no further business, the May work session was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.