President Dwight P. Mitchell called the June work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:10 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Present: Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell, Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks and Mr. Ken Woltman

Absent: Ms. Michelle Jones

Public Participation on Agenda Items
Mr. Don Jaggers addressed the Board of Education discussing the history of the transportation department and the need to expand the facility and secure bus parking. Mr. Jaggers commended Superintendent Williams for her integrity and a job well done.

Mr. Andre Coleman addressed the Board of Education in support of constructing a new transportation facility.

Mr. Albert Johnson addressed the Board of Education in support of extending the DADS contract stating that there is a need to provide male role models for BHAS youth.

Recognitions
Praise was extended to the Fair Plain East Elementary School HOSTS program for receiving the highest quality award for their school being a national exemplary example of excellence. A luncheon was recently held at Lake Michigan College to celebrate this achievement and to recognize HOSTS mentors.

BHHS staff was commended for the wonderful 2002 graduation ceremony and prom festivities. Appreciation was extended to those who volunteered to make the senior lock-in a successful event.

Central Administration
Superintendent Renee Williams reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the following District policy revision:

KG – Community Use of School Facilities

Superintendent Williams reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the establishment of the 2002-2003 Board of Education Organizational Meeting scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2002, at the Benton Harbor High School.

Business/Finance
Acting Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the resolution for state aid borrowing, as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg. Due to the projected cash deficit, it is necessary for BHAS to borrow against anticipated state aid for operating.

Ms. Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a resolution, as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg, to issue bonds for the construction of a new transportation/warehouse facility. The proposed 15-year bonds would be paid semi-annually at a 5% interest rate and would not create any new taxes.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the construction of a new transportation/warehouse facility. Structural concerns of the current facility and information on the proposed building were shown via a PowerPoint presentation. The proposed building site would be on District property located off Union Street at a projected cost of $1.8 million dollars. Trustee Peeples-Burks commended Mr. Stephen Mitchell for his efforts in the proposal to build a new transportation facility. Trustee Robinson requested that a special announcement be sent to the public as notification of this project.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a six-month extension for the DADS program consultant contract. It is recommended that the District extend the consultant contract of Mr. John Finn, CEO of the Dads Are Doing Something program, for another six months in order to allow the District a time period to transition leadership of this program to in-house personnel and to plan future DADS activities for this coming school year.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to accept and acknowledge a donation of books valued at $300.00, to the Helping One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) Program established at Fair Plain East Elementary School from Fiskars, Inc.

Mr. Garrison reported that the summer football camp proposal has been removed from the agenda and will be presented at the July Board of Education meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the annual Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) membership renewal. Schools to be covered by membership for the 2002-2003 school year include Benton Harbor High School, Fair Plain Middle School, Hull Middle School and McCord Renaissance Middle School.

As an informational item, Victor Morris, Principal of Fair Plain East Elementary School disseminated information on the Fair Plain East All-Day Kindergarten Assessment. The C.A.T. test was administered in one day at Fair Plain East Elementary School and two consecutive mornings at Fair Plain West Elementary School. The first test was given in small groups (3-6 students each) to familiarize the students with the testing format. The remainder of the test was given in a whole group (22 students at East and 14 students at West) setting. In conclusion, students in the full-day kindergarten at Fair Plain East were able to sit properly and follow directions as instructed. The students in the half-day kindergarten at Fair Plain West were not able to sit properly or follow directions. Overall, full day students exhibited a readiness to be successful in first grade, while the half-day students did not exhibit this degree of readiness.

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

• Professional Staff Retiring
• Professional Staff Resigning
• Hiring of Professional Staff
• Other

The Board of Education and members of the audience sang Happy Birthday to Superintendent Williams as a tribute to her birthday.

Superintendent’s Update
Superintendent Williams expressed her appreciation and sheer delight for a surprise retirement party given in her honor by Fair Plain Middle School staff and students. Ms. Williams was treated to a band performance and received several gifts including a stuffed tiger.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education hosted a Golden Apple Award Ceremony on May 22, to pay tribute to the staff at Fair Plain West Elementary School, Henry C. Morton Elementary School, Sterne Brunson Elementary School and the Boynton Montessori Program, as each school was a recipient of the 2001 Governor’s Golden Apple Award. As formal recognition for continuing commitment to promoting student achievement in the Benton Harbor Area Schools, each respective staff member was presented with a Golden Apple Award watch.

The 2002 School Board Election is scheduled for Monday, June 10.

A District-wide staff picnic is scheduled for Monday, June 10, to be held on Filstrup Field.

Board Comments
Trustee Smith extended sincere appreciation to all the staff and volunteers who helped with the BHHS senior lock-in, making it a total success, and gave a reminder of Superintendent Williams’ retirement party scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2002, at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons. Mrs. Smith also stated that the First Presbyterian Church of Benton Harbor took 75 Henry C. Morton Elementary School students to visit the Meijer Garden/Museum in Grand Rapids, and that BHAS was the only District to participate in a Meijer monetary incentive to deter students from drinking on prom night.

Trustee Peeples-Burks gave thanks to the St. Joseph/ Benton Harbor Exchange Club and to other civic organizations that sponsored Benton Harbor Area Schools students. Dr. Peeples-Burks also discussed the Even Start Grant, which was awarded to the Berrien County Intermediate School District.

Trustee Woltman made reference to the published lists of available state and federal grants and questioned if the District had a designated grant writing person.

Trustee Henry commended the students for their orderly conduct on prom night and at the senior lock-in, and praised the BHHS track team for their excellent participation during the state track meet.

President Mitchell stated that on Saturday, June 8^th, the City of Benton Harbor is dedicating the Benton Harbor Federal Building in honor of his father, Donald C. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell also asked Board trustees to reserve Saturday, July 27, 2002, as a tentative Board of Education retreat date to be held possibly at the Brandywine Training Center.