The May regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Dwight P. Mitchell at 6:10 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Thank you notes have been received from some District teachers expressing their appreciation for the National Teacher Day gifts.

A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the regular meeting of April 16, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Henry that the Minutes of the special meeting of April 18, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Robinson that the Minutes of the special meeting of April 26, 2002 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

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

Tuesday, May 14, 2002 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, June 4, 2002 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.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the operation of the 2002 Summer Lunch Program for the children of the District.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the operation of a Summer Swim Program for the summer of 2002 at the Charles Gray Teen Center.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the submittal of the BHAS Application for Urgent Repairs grant to the Michigan Department of Education.

As an informational item, Athletic Director John Brown updated the Board of Education on the case of the Communities For Equity v. Michigan High School Athletic Association. The United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals granted the MHSAA’s Motion for Stay pending its appeal insofar as requiring a change in the alignment of sports season by the 2003-2004 school year. In December, a ruling declared that MHSAA discriminates against girls by conducting some sports in non-traditional seasons. If some sports must be played at non-traditional times, boys and girls must share the burden equally. The MHSAA must submit a plan to change the alignment of sports seasons by May 24 and the plan will be ruled on at a July 18 hearing.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education hereby officially affirms its intent to complete full implementation of the District’s Communication Action Plan through January 2003.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education hereby authorizes its Superintendent, or her designee, and District legal counsel to begin negotiations on the Board’s behalf with representatives of the Southwestern Michigan Alternative Learning Collaborative to formulate a tentative operating contract for the 2002/2003 school year to provide alternative education services for Benton Harbor Area Schools District students.

Be it further resolved that any and all tentative agreements reached with the Collaborative shall not be considered as binding upon the District and shall be subject to Board of Education review and modification. Further, no contract agreement shall be considered as final and binding upon the Benton Harbor Area Schools District until such time as it is formally approved by the Board of Education.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Middle School Summer Program for the 2001-2002 school year.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the DaVinci Sails Summer Camp from July 29 through August 9 at a cost of $28,592.00.

THAT Mr. Kenneth Pica’s retirement be acknowledged and accepted and that a letter from the District be sent to him thanking him for his services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

THAT Mrs. LaVerne Wilhite’s retirement be acknowledged and accepted and that a letter from the District be sent to her thanking her for her services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

THAT Ms. Athalee McKinney’s resignation be accepted and a letter be sent to her thanking her for the services she provided to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the agreed upon 2002-2003 school calendar.

In the May 13^th issue of The Herald-Palladium volunteers were featured working with Fair Plain West, Fair Plain Northeast and Martindale Schools regarding new playground equipment.

The May 2^nd issue of the Benton Spirit featured The Fifty’s Finest – Women of Elegance Pageant that pictured employees of BHAS.

Mrs. Mary Bethea and Mr. James Wilkens addressed the Board of Education seeking to obtain the Pipestone Pre-school building to establish a local Community Outreach Partnership Center.

Mr. Maurice Burton addressed the Board of Education in support of erecting a canopy tent for the BHHS graduation ceremony.

Ms. Imyn Burton addressed the Board of Education expressing her support for a canopy tent for the BHHS Class of 2002 graduation ceremony.

Trustee Smith gave praise to the BHHS students who received scholarships and awards presented at the recent BHAS Honors Ceremony.

Trustee Henry stated that he does not view the purchase of Benton Township property as land speculation but rather the District’s future.

President Mitchell supported Trustee Henry’s statement and added that the land purchase was a sound decision. Mr. Mitchell stated that the community must look for opportunities to interact with surrounding school districts and other communities. He expressed his pleasure with the number of students who received scholarships and awards during the Honors Ceremony.