MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
JUNE 6, 2006

Vice-President Dan McGinnis called the June Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith (6:18), Mr. Dan McGinnis, Dr. Perry Davis,Mr. Anthony Henry, Mr. Ken Woltman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

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
The 131st Commencement Exercise of the Benton Harbor High School Class of 2006 will be held at 6:00 p.m. June 9, 2006 on Filstrup Field.

Recognitions
Praise and recognition was extended to the 2006 D.E.L.T.A. Dolls.

The State of Michigan State Board of Education has declared June 4-10, 2006 as Summer Food Service Week.

Benton Harbor High School Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society Students (MITES) and instructors were recognized for competition in the MITES Regional Competition.  Eight students qualified for the state competition.  Projects included machine manufacturing entries and electronic devices.

Student Board members were presented with certificates of appreciation for serving on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education during the 2005-2006 school year.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to establish the 2006-2007 Board of Education organizational meeting date.  The proposed date is 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area, 870 Colfax Avenue, Benton Harbor.

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Class of 2006 Senior Lock-In, scheduled for Friday, June 9th following the graduation ceremony.  Seniors are encouraged to attend this fun filled event, sponsored by Parents As Partners, to be held in the Student Commons that will include food, music, dancing, games and will be adult chaperoned.

As an informational item, Superintendent Dawning discussed the Michigan Association of School Administrator’s – The Courageous Journey.  The Courageous Journey is a program developed by the Michigan Association of School Administrators that offers school leaders an intensive three-year experience with the application of transformational leadership theories and processes in the school settings where they serve in their leadership roles. The purpose of the program is to provide aspiring, new and experienced school leaders with the skills necessary to: 1) improve student achievement, 2) operate an outstanding school district and 3) work effectively with staff, school boards and communities on these missions.

Technology
Group Director for Informational Technologies Bill Kaeding reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to accept the bid for the Renaissance Fiber Optic Network.  The technology division has proposed to build a fiber optic network with ACD.net of St. Joseph, Michigan.  The network would consist of approximately 21 miles of backbone and 9 miles of spurs or entrances to different locations.  The benefits of a fiber based wide area network include consolidation of voice, video and data transmissions, and increased instructional opportunities that include video conferencing and video streaming.  Benton Harbor Area Schools’ portion of the project would include:

Backbone and spurs to district locations: $343,332.82
Make ready costs (estimate): 21,848.20
Bond: 2,977.68
Management Fee: 12,149.24
Grand Total: $380,307.94

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the state aid borrowing resolution, as prepared by Thrun Law Firm.  Due to a projected cash deficit position, it is necessary for the District to borrow against anticipated state aid for operations.

Assistant Superintendent Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt a resolution, as prepared by Thrun Law Firm to accept the bid that produced the lowest interest cost for bus and instrument financing.  The Board authorized solicitation of bids for an installment purchase agreement in the amount of $254,053 for the purpose of purchasing school buses and band equipment.  Five bids were received that conformed to the solicitation of the bids.

Operations and Facilities
In the absence of Group Director Stephen Mitchell, Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2006 Summer Lunch Program.  The District has sponsored the program for many years providing nutritious meals to children who might not otherwise have meals available.  The Summer Lunch Program is reimbursed 100% by the USDA.

Instruction
As an informational item, Sorter Elementary School Principal Andrew Stansberry provided an update, via a DVD presentation, on the 5th grade trip to Mackinac City.

As an informational item, BHHS Marching Band Director James Jones provided an update on their trip to Mackinac City to participate in the Mackinac Memorial Day Parade.  Benton Harbor High School Marching Band was awarded the Best Marching Band.

As an informational item, Berrien County Health Department Prevention Specialist Lisa Peeples-Hurst provided an update on Project ALERT.  Project ALERT is a drug prevention curriculum for middle school students 11 to 14 years old.  The lesson program focused on the substances that adolescents are most likely to use: alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and inhalants.  The goal of Project ALERT was to reduce the use of those dangerous substances by keeping nonusers from trying them and by preventing nonusers and experimenters from becoming regular users. 

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Lake Michigan College Transitional Studies Pilot program.  The program is being developed to demonstrate that District students have the inherent capacity to prepare for and succeed in college level coursework.  Students would be offered LMC developmental writing/reading instruction.  The total estimated cost for the 2006-2007 school year is $7,785.00.  Career Technical Director Carole Fetke and three Lake Michigan College representatives were present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approveThe Best of You program for the 2006-2007 school year.  The program targets 8th – 9th grade female students to educate them on making the best choices on sex, drugs, relationships and goals for their future.  A tentative schedule is Saturdays August 12 – September 30, 2006, at a cost of $43.00 per student.  Program creator Jan Irwin was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2006-2007 Michigan High School Athletic Association Resolution for Benton Harbor High School, Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School and Hull Middle School.  Membership is required for all Districts who wish to participate in tournament play.

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

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

Donations to Fair Plain West Elementary School:

Other
Trustees Smith and Woltman extended their appreciation for the Special Education Graduation Reception and heartfelt program held today. 

Superintendent’s Update
Benton Harbor High School senior breakfast and graduation rehearsal scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2006.

Benton Harbor High School Class of 2006 graduation ceremony scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2006.

Last day of school for District students is Tuesday, June 13, 2006.

Job training funds are being directed through grant opportunities from the Department of Labor and the Community Partnership for Lifelong Learning for Benton Harbor residents to secure local jobs as the community prepares for the Harbor Shores development.

School Improvement Plans for all buildings are underway that include tracking instruction to move forward in the educational environment.

A moment of silence was conducted in honor of Stephen Mitchell’s brother who recently passed away.

The Michigan Association of School Boards has established the 2006 Summer Seminars for Board trustees.

The Michigan Association of School Boards Award Ceremony and legislative dinner is scheduled for Thursday, June 8, 2006 at the Berrien County Intermediate School District.

Public Participation
Ms. Barbara Peeples addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns with the demeanor of Board trustees toward a school employee at last months Board meeting.

Board Comments
Student Board members extended their appreciation to the District for the excellent opportunity to serve on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education. 

Trustee Fort commended student Board members and discussed her attendance with the BHHS Marching Band to Mackinac City to participate in their Memorial Day Parade.

Trustee Henry gave praise to the student Board members, and commended the new school signs on Napier Avenue by Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School and the Sorter Elementary School Carnival.

Trustee Davis extended his appreciation to the student Board members for their excellent input and praised the MITES students and BHHS Marching Band on their accomplishments.

Trustee Smith praised the Project ALERT program and the wonderful article in the District Progress newsletter regarding the BHAS Chess Club.

There being no further business, the June work session was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.