The June 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.

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

Public Participation
Mr. Mike Poluhanycz addressed the Board of Education expressing a concern that the BHAS Board Report dated June 11, Operations and Facilities staff report #5, authorization to construct a transportation facility, did not indicate a dollar amount.

Mrs. Lottie Pugh addressed the Board of Education in support of constructing a new transportation facility.

Communications
The District has received a letter from the office of Whirlpool Executive, Bill Marohn, in support of the Coming Home Coming Together concert featuring Nikki Harris.

The Berrien County Health Department has notified the District that the Benton Harbor High School Health Clinic will be open for services during the summer of 2002. Operating hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., beginning Monday, June 10 to Friday, August 23, 2002. Anyone 10 to 21 years of age, living in Benton Harbor is eligible for services.

BHHS junior, Shayla Terrell, has been selected to attend The Junior Statesman Summer School at Stanford University, located in California. The month long program is limited to 250 outstanding students who are interested in politics and government. Miss Terrell is the only student in Southwestern Michigan to be selected.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the special meeting of May 7, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the work session of May 7, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Jones that the Minutes of the regular meeting of May 14, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of May 16, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the special meeting of May 20, 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 May 21, 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 May 23, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the special meeting of May 28, 2002 be approved as printed.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman that vendor payments in the amount of $2,166,380.77 be approved for payment.

Recognitions
Special recognition was given to two BHHS students, Michael Razor and Jason Brister, who are working this summer with ABC Plumbing at McCord Renaissance Center.

Students from the Gifted and Talented Academy performed Proud To Be An American for the Board of Education and members of the audience in the Kuschel Performing Arts Center. This production was scheduled to be performed in May at Six Flags Great America, but was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT Board policy:

KG – Community Use of School Facilities

be hereby adopted as policy of the Benton Harbor Area Schools and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the date of the 2002/2003 Organizational Meeting for the Board of Education of the Benton Harbor Area Schools be set for Tuesday, July 2, 2002 at 5:00 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Students Commons Area, 870 Colfax Avenue, Benton Harbor.

President Mitchell commended Trustee Robinson for her outstanding leadership as a member of the Board of Education. Mr. Mitchell also stated that the Board of Education would continue to be united with the incoming Superintendent of Schools, and that he would stand behind any trustee elected as president, as all trustees are capable to serve in that role.

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

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

Tuesday, June 11, 2002 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, July 2, 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.

Business/Finance
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the State Aid Borrowing resolution, as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the construction of a transportation facility as outlined by management and approve the issuance of bonds covering the proposed project cost.

Instruction
Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially approve a consultant services contract extension for Mr. John Finn, CEO, DADS (Dads Are Doing Something), a non-profit corporation, until December 31, 2002, at the revised remuneration rate of $4,000 per month, which is inclusive of all consultant expenses and which will provide a stipend for a local District DADS Chapter coordinator.

Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accepts and acknowledges the generosity of a gift of books valued at $300.00, to the HOSTS Program at Fair Plain East Elementary School from Fiskars, Inc.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the Membership Resolution for the middle schools and senior high school of the Benton Harbor Area Schools District for the 2002-2003 school year for membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Schools to be covered by membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association are:

• Benton Harbor High School
• Fair Plain Middle School
• Hull Middle School
• McCord Renaissance Middle School

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

THAT Mrs. Delores Gavin’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.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Mr. John Roscher’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.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT Ms. Shalita Davis’ 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.

Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT Mr. Gerald Edwards’ resignation be accepted and a letter be sent to him thanking him for the services he provided to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT Mrs. Toshalyn Francis’ 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.

Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Mrs. Loretta Ann Holmes be employed as a special education teacher by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective May 20, 2002.

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

Superintendent's Update
On Friday, Fair Plain West and Martindale Elementary Schools will receive new playground equipment due to a partnership with Whirlpool Corporation.

Superintendent Williams thanked the Board of Education for her retirement party and expressed how nice it was to reflect on the past.

The BHAS Food Service Department was commended for their efforts with the District-wide picnic held at Filstrup Field on June 10.

The latest issue of the Benton Spirit, which featured BHAS trustees, graduates and retirees, was disseminated to the Board of Education.

Public Participation II
Ms. Barbara Pence addressed the Board of Education questioning non-retroactive pay for staff who retires/resigns before their employment contract is consummated.

Board Comments
Trustee Woltman questioned the non-retroactive pay policy for staff who retires/resigns before their employment contract is consummated, and also questioned the maintenance plan for the recently acquired township property.

Trustee Peeples-Burks gave thanks to her Board colleagues who assisted with the retirement party for Superintendent Williams, and questioned who determines where voting polls are located in the District, referring to a letter from the Township Clerk’s Office.

Trustee Smith praised the District’s annual retirement luncheon and the solo performances of Curtis Gulledge and Troy Jones at Superintendent Williams’ retirement party.

Trustee Jones commended Trustee Robinson for her outstanding leadership, help and support during her tenure.

Trustee Henry questioned the Even Start grant and the Pipestone Pre-School building being utilized to accommodate that program.

Trustee Robinson stated that it has been an honor to serve the students and parents of BHAS during her tenure as Board trustee, and that she will continue to serve as a classroom volunteer where needed.

President Mitchell discussed a business luncheon with the proposed new Superintendent Paula Dawning and stated that the District is close to securing an employment contract with a tentative start date of July 15, 2002.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel possible student expulsions.

The Board recessed to closed session at 7:45 p.m.

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

Also Present: Ms. Renee' Williams, Mr. Richard Garrison, Mr. Russell Tynes, Mr. Howard Cousins and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

Neither student nor parent was present.

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

THAT Stanley Stoutmiles be expelled from the Benton Harbor Area Schools until January 17, 2003, the end of the first semester of the 2002-2003 school year, for repeated violations of the Uniform Code of Discipline. The conditions of the expulsion will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

Mrs. Jessie Wade was present, but BHHS student Zachary Johnson was not present.

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

THAT Zachary Johnson be permanently expelled from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for a period no less than 180 school days for violations of the Uniform Code of Discipline and Section 1311a of the Michigan Revised School Code. The conditions of the expulsion will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.