MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
MAY 10, 2005

The May regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by Vice President J. Allene Smith at 6:05 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

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

Absent: Mr. Ken Woltman

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.

Communications
Vice President Smith read a thank you card from Angelika MacGowan for the teacher appreciation luncheon.

Minutes
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman that the Minutes of the work session of April 12, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the special meeting of April 14, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman that the Minutes of the regular meeting of April 19, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman that the Minutes of the special hearing of April 21, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. McGinnis that vendor payments in the amount of $2,544,530.42 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Recognition and praise were extended to the Benton Harbor High School Class of 2005 top ten seniors and each received a plaque of achievement.

Certificates of recognition and gift cards were given to each school's top reader and their teacher for the 2004-2005 Drive For Success III reading initiative.  A total of 117,953 books were read and underwriters Jim and Joan Smith were present to present the gift cards.

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. McGinnis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the Proclamation by the National Education Association proclaiming the week of May 1-7, 2005, as National Teacher Appreciation Week and Tuesday, May 3, 2005, as National Teacher Day.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the Proclamation by the State of Michigan, Executive Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, proclaiming Wednesday, May 11, 2005, as School Nurse Day.

The motion passed on the following vote:

Trustee Henry left the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

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

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

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, June 7, 2005 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 #4
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the resolution in support of the Berrien County Intermediate School District’s budget, as prepared by the Thrun Law Firm, P.C.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo requested that the Board of Education add to the agenda the bus purchasing resolution.  The Board authorized the solicitation of bids for an installment purchase agreement in the amount of $421,236.00, for the purpose of purchasing school buses.  There were seven bids received that conformed to the bid solicitation.  Municipal Service Group produced the lowest interest cost.

A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the bus financing resolution be added to the May 10, 2005, regular meeting agenda.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the bus purchasing resolution to accept the Municipal Service Group bid, which produced the lowest interest cost to the District, as prepared by the Thrun Law Firm, P.C.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mr. McGinnis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education set a minimum sale bid of $65,000.00, for the Sterne Brunson Building.  In addition, the sale does not include items that the District will salvage from the building or property prior to its sale.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the 2005 Summer Lunch Program for the children of the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the petroleum products bid to the low bidder, Service Oil Company of Cassopolis, MI, in the amount of delivered price of 0.0225 per gallon for gasoline, and 0.025 per gallon for diesel fuel for the 2005-2006 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mr. McGinnis and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) program agreements for Sorter, Fair Plain West and Morton Schools at a cost of $19,100.00, for the 2005-2006 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the 5th Grade Summer Science Enrichment Camp scheduled for June 20-July 28, 2005, to run in conjunction with the Elementary Summer School Program.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Acaletics Mathematics Program for Hull Middle School at a total cost of $18,992.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Other
Following the regular meeting the Board of Education will recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel possible student expulsions.

Superintendent's Update
The K-16 Coalition For Michigan’s Future is conducting a K-16 Rally on June 21, 2005, in Lansing, Michigan in support of HB 4582 and SB 246.  The K-16 Coalition for Michigan’s Future is a group of statewide education organizations working together to obtain full funding for public schools, community colleges and universities.  The state’s budget shortfalls affect programs and services schools offer to students and communities.  Schools have cut valuable educational programs, layed-off staff, increased class sizes, closed facilities and have instituted pay-to-play for athletics.  The K-16 Coalition for Michigan’s Future supports Senate Bill 246 and House Bill 4582.  Both bills are bold pieces of legislation designed to address the funding needs of K-12, community college and higher education.

Superintendent Dawning reviewed the 2004-2005 Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) scores, which have been received by the District.

The Berrien County Intermediate School District (BCISD) election will be held on Monday, June 6, 2005, at the BCISD office.  New laws require that each District adopt a resolution for designation of electoral representatives and identification of candidate(s) for the biennial election.

Public Participation
Berrien County Intermediate School District election candidates, Mrs. Lynn Hayes and Mrs. Linda Holt, addressed the Board of Education each introducing themselves and providing background information, as they seek to be elected in the biennial election on June 6, 2005.

Mrs. Lisa Peeples-Hurst addressed the Board of Education on behalf of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority regarding their purpose and how the sorority would like to assist the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Ms. Debra Atkins addressed the Board of Education extending her support to the newly elected trustees and expressed her concerns with the proposed Project Renaissance.

Board Comments
Student Board member Bradley extended his appreciation to the Smith’s for their underwriting of the Drive For Success III program and stated that the “Louie, Louie” issue was an embarrassment to the District.

Trustee Fort extended her appreciation to the community for being elected to the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education.

Trustee McGinnis congratulated trustees Fort and Henry on their elections and extended his appreciation for tonight’s student recognitions.

Trustee Bowman commended the Smith’s for underwriting the Drive For Success III program and encouraged the students to continue to strive for higher achievements.

Trustee Davis congratulated trustees Fort and Henry on their elections and commended the students for their excellent achievements.

Trustee Henry proposed that the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education and the Benton Harbor City Commission partner to seek answers to the problems with the Benton Harbor youth.  Mr. Henry also suggested that people should sign the letters that they send to the Board of Education.

Trustee Smith congratulated trustees Fort and Henry on their Board of Education elections and commended the students on their great achievements.

The Board recessed to closed session at 8:00 p.m.

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

Absent: Mr. Ken Woltman

Also Present:  Dr. Paula Dawning, Dr. J. Leonard Wright, Mr. Kevin Simmons, Mr. Dimitric Roseboro and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

Neither student nor parent was present.

Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT 05-05-27-HMS be expelled from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for the remainder of the 2004-2005 school year for a violation of the Uniform Code of Discipline.  The conditions of the expulsion will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Both the student and parent were present and requested an open hearing.

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

THAT 05-05-28-BHHS be allowed to return to school effective immediately and the discipline be limited to the time already served.  The conditions of the return will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business, the May regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.