MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
MAY 9, 2006

The May regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President J. Allene Smith at 6:09 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Dan McGinnis, Dr. Perry Davis, Mr. Anthony Henry, Mr. Ken Woltman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Absent:  Mr. Robert Bowman

Also Present:  Student Board Members Samantha Gunter and Trenton Bowens

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

Communications
Trustee Davis read invitations to attend the induction ceremonies for the Hull and Fair Plain Renaissance Middle Schools National Junior Honor Society, scheduled for 6:00 p.m. May 10th and 11th respectively.

Trustee Davis read an invitation from the Superintendent’s Scholarship Committee for the reinstated Annual Superintendent’s Scholarship Dinner scheduled for 6:00 pm Saturday, May 13, 2006, in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.  The proceeds from the dinner will benefit ten (10) deserving seniors with a $1000.00 scholarship.  Tickets are $50.00 per person, or $75.00 per couple.  Guidelines for 2006-2007 scholarship include, but not limited to: 1) the applicant must have a 2.75 – 3.25 GPA, 2) average daily attendance of 93% or better and, 3) the applicant must have a score of 16 or better on ACT.  Applications are due Friday, May 5, 2006.

Calvin Britain, Morton and Fair Plain West Elementary Schools welcome all to attend the Year-End Celebration at Fair Plain West Elementary School scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2006.  The program is sponsored by the Safe and Drug Free Program, Freedom Program and the I’m Saving Myself Production.

Trustees were encouraged to attend the Berrien/Cass Intermediate School District Legislative Dinner and Awards Ceremony scheduled for 5:45 pm Thursday, June 8, 2006 at the BCISD.

President Smith reminded trustees of the closed session scheduled for tonight and the special Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, 2006.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the work session of April 11, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the regular meeting of April 18, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the special meeting of April 26, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort that vendor payments in the amount of $1,818,526.54 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Dr. Layne Hunt, Principal of Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School issued certificates of recognition to teachers Kari Burch, Patricia Milanowski, Terry Tony, paraprofessional Linda Dyson and lunchroom supervisor Debra Crawford for their outstanding contributions to the educational environment.

Recognition and praise were extended to the Benton Harbor High School Class of 2006 Top Ten seniors based upon seven semesters GPA:

Danielle Dancer 4.036 Valedictorian
Destiny Perry 4.000 Salutatorian
Ashlee Thompson 3.889  
Jaleesa Johnson 3.768  
Caroline Gavin 3.714  
Ebony Triplett 3.704  
Charonne Coleman 3.691  
Anthony Wilburn II 3.650  
Jasmine White 3.625  
Darion Gooch 3.589  

Top readers in the 2006 Drive For Success reading initiative, along with their respective teachers, were presented with certificates of achievement and monetary gift cards.  Fair Plain Northeast third grade student Naki MaGee was the top reader for the elementary division reading 445 books and Benton Harbor High School tenth grade student Kierra Williams was the top reader for the secondary division reading 2,148 books.  Fifth Third Bank was the monetary sponsor in this year’s Drive For Success.  The Drive For Success reading initiative program won an Education Excellence Award in the category of English Language Arts from the Michigan Association of School Boards.

Student Board member Trenton Bowens presented a PowerPoint presentation on the 1st Annual Benton Harbor Youth in Government program, which was held on Saturday, April 29, 2006.  Recognition was given to the following Benton Harbor Area Schools students who were elected into the following Youth in Government positions:

A certificate of recognition was presented to Boynton Montessori 5th grade student, Whisper Simmons, as the Grand Winner of the Visual Arts Expo.

Certificates of achievement and gifts cards were presented to the following Boynton Montessori 6th grade students for winning 1st Place in the BHAS Middle School Science Fair:

Central Administration
As an informational item, Berrien County Intermediate School District (BCISD) Board of Education trustees Sharon Kalling, President, Cathy Bair, Vice-President and trustee Lynn Hayes were present to discuss what services the BCISD is currently offering the Benton Harbor Area Schools.  The partnership report included special education services, early childhood, curriculum and instructional resources, career and technical education, data services, business office, human resources, student events and instructional technology.  The BCISD offers onsite programs such as the Lighthouse Education Center, Blossomland Learning Center and the Truancy Academy.  Early childhood programs offered include Michigan School Readiness, Parents As Teachers and Even Start.

The ISD offers curriculum resources to teachers in Mathematics, Science, Health, Arts Education, Language Arts, Safe and Drug Free Education and Social Studies as well as workshops aimed at helping teachers expand their instruction techniques to include technology in the classroom.  In cooperation with Lake Michigan College, Career & Technical Education offers opportunities for students to participate in “Early College” a program that allows students to earn college credit while in high school.  Many of the software programs used by BHAS were developed and are supported through the ISD.  The ISD offers many special activities to students across the county that includes Science Olympiad, Arts & Science Expo and 8th Grade Career Days.  The ISD this year has offered over 1500 video conferences or video field trips, which allow children to travel the world and experience live interactives.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially acknowledge the Proclamation by the National Education Association proclaiming the week of May 7-13, 2006, as National Teacher Appreciation Week and Tuesday, May 9, 2006, as National Teacher Day.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mr. McGinnis and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially acknowledge the Proclamation by the State of Michigan, Executive Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, proclaiming Wednesday, May 10, 2006, as School Nurse Day.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Board policy:

be hereby adopted as policy of the School District and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

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

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, June 6, 2006 before, during 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 #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 in support of the Berrien County Intermediate School District’s 2006-2007 General Budget, as prepared by Thrun Law Firm, P.C.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the resolution authorizing issuance of the Installment Purchase Agreement, for the purchase of two (2) 77-passenger buses, and one (1) 53-passenger bus from Capital City Bus Sales, at a cost of $217,513.00 and band instruments at a cost of $36,540.00, as prepared by Thrun Law Firm, P.C.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the bid for renovation work at BHHS and Fair Plain Northwest School to the low bidder, Pearson Construction Company in the amount of $774,600.00 for both projects.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) program Continuing License and System Support Agreement for the 2006-2007 school year in the amount of $6,600.00 each for Sorter and Morton Elementary Schools and $5,900.00 for Fair Plain West Elementary School for a grant total of $19,100.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education add the BHHS Marching Band Trip to Mackinaw City to the agenda.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the BHHS Marching Band trip to Mackinaw City to participate in their Memorial Day Parade.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Band Director James Jones was present to answer any questions.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the notice of retirements for the following teachers effective June 30, 2006 and that a letter is sent thanking them for their years of service to students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Consent
Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following donations/grants to the District for the 2005-2006 school year.

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 council personnel issues.

Public Participation
Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks addressed the Board of Education regarding an article in the April 2006 issue of Edutopia Magazine that features Superintendent Paula Dawning entitled “Class Act - Top business leaders trade the whiteboard for a blackboard as they attempt to improve urban schools.”  The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) created Edutopia Magazine in 1991 as a nonprofit operating foundation to celebrate and encourage innovation in schools.

Board Comments
Student Board member Trenton Bowens stated that the best is yet to come and congratulated the BHHS marching band, Drive For Success readers, the BCISD presentation and the top ten BHHS seniors.

Trustee Fort extended her appreciation for the efforts and talents of the students and staff for their awards and recognitions given tonight.

Trustee Woltman stated that the students in the BHAS Construction Trades program are building a dollhouse, which is sponsored by the BH/SJ Exchange Club that will be raffled to benefit the Capstone Center.

Trustee Henry commended the Drive For Success program and encouraged students to continue to read as reading does change lives.

Trustee Davis expressed his gratitude for the enthusiasm shown by students and the staff and congratulated all recognitions tonight.  Dr. Davis commended student Board member Trenton Bowens for his excellent presentation and speaking skills.

Trustee McGinnis commended all recognitions and suggested that the District’s TV station televise accomplishments such as those recognized tonight.

Trustee Smith discussed her attendance at the MASB’s Award Ceremony and Career Technical Education Banquet.  Mrs. Smith congratulated the students and staff who were recognized tonight and the BHAS Chess Club.

The Board recessed to closed session at 8:31 p.m.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Dan McGinnis, Dr. Perry Davis, Mr. Anthony Henry, Mr. Ken Woltman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Absent:  Mr. Robert Bowman

Also Present:  Dr. Paula M. Dawning, Ms. Nora Jefferson, Dr. J. Leonard Wright, Mr. James Rutter and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

The Board of Education and members of the management team discussed District personnel issues.

There being no further business, the May regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.