MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
JUNE 13, 2006

The June regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President J. Allene Smith at 6:17 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, 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

President Smith delayed opening the meeting to allow trustees and members of the audience to view the Creative Arts Academy Mural on display.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps JROTC offered the Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Communications
Trustee Davis acknowledged an article in The Herald-Palladium regarding Fair Plain West Elementary School students writing letters to actor Ernie Hudson and in return he called the classroom and sent an autographed photo to each student.  Mr. Hudson is a graduate of Benton Harbor High School.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the work session of May 2, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the regular meeting of May 9, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of May 16, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of May 23, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the special meeting of May 30, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis that vendor payments in the amount of $2,021,429.09 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Dr. Perry Davis was presented with a certificate of recognition for serving a 4-year tenure as trustee of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education.

Acting Principal of the Freshman Academy Ruth Watson was commended for her outstanding educational leadership and dedication to the Benton Harbor Area Schools students.

Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Virginia Maxwell acknowledged an elementary initiative, which began early in the 2005-2006 school year whereas students at Fair Plain West Elementary School communicated with actor Ernie Hudson and Fair Plain Northeast students communicated with actor Sinbad.  In addition, seven students from the Creative Arts Academy created a mural of Benton Harbor that depicts history highlights of the city.  The students have been working on the 48-foot long mural for most of the school year, with the help of School Resource Officer Dan Stuglik. The mural will be permanently displayed on Main Street in Benton Harbor.  Creative Arts Academy Principal Lori Kuntz, two Creative Arts students and Officer Stuglik were present to answer any questions.

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

THAT the date of the 2006/2007 Organizational Meeting for the Board of Education of the Benton Harbor Area Schools be set for 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2006, in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons, 870 Colfax Avenue, Benton Harbor.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the BHHS Class of 2006 Senior Lock-In to be held on June 9, 2006.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

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

Tuesday, June 13, 2006 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 before, during or following
the work session of the Board of Education on that date,

in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons, 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.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the construction of the Renaissance Fiber Network between Benton Harbor Area Schools and ACD.net.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Business/Finance
Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

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

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the resolution, as prepared by Thrun Law Firm, to accept the bid that produced the lowest interest cost to the District for the purchase of school buses and band instruments.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
As an informational item, BHAS Energy Management Coordinator Michael Brennand and Energy Education, Inc., Manager Mike Bitar presented an update, via a PowerPoint presentation on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Energy Management Program.   The program in its third year has shown a substantial cost savings to the District of approximately $626,983.00.  Mr. Bitar presented the District with an Award of Energy Stewardship for successfully implementing the program.

As an informational item, Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell introduced Marcus Robinson, Director of Citizens for Progressive Change (CPC) and Liji Hanny, Benton Harbor Boys & Girls Club (BGC) Teen Center Director.  Mr. Robinson and Mr. Hanny outlined a proposed use plan for the BHAS Teen Center for the summer of 2006 that would continue throughout the year.  The CPC has offered to provide funding to renovate the BHAS Teen Center and the BGC would implement programs that include Keystone Club, Peace Jam, Youth for Unity, CLUBService, Computer Labs, Fine Arts, Health and Life Skills and a swim program.

Special guest Martin Luther King, III, made a brief appearance to speak with the Board of Education as he was visiting the Benton Harbor Community on his Look and Listen Tour. Mr. King is traveling around the country to look at poverty in America and how to transform communities.

Group Director Stephen Mitchell updated the Board of Education on a proposal with the City of Benton Harbor to establish a Benton Harbor Area Schools Youth Soccer League utilizing Union Field.

Mr. Stephen Mitchell extended his appreciation to the Board of Education trustees for their support in the death of his brother.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the operation of a 2006 Summer Lunch Program for the children of the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #8

A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the contract with Lake Michigan College for a College Transitions Center Pilot Program for the 2006-2007 school year at an estimated cost of $7,785.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9 was pulled from the agenda.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education renew the resolution with the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) for Benton Harbor High School, Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School and Hull Middle School for the 2006-2007 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the notice of retirements for the following teachers effective June 30, 2006, and that a letter is sent thanking them for their years of service to students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the resignation of Brandalyn Lowrance and that a letter is sent thanking her for her years of service to the students and the District.

The motion passed on the following vote:

AYES: Mrs. Fort  NAYS: Mr. McGinnis
Mr. Henry
Mr. Woltman
Dr. Davis
Mrs. Smith

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the 2006-2007 school calendar as presented.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Consent
Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following donations/grants to the District for the 2005-2006 school year.

Donations to Fair Plain West Elementary School:

Other
President Smith announced that the Board of Education has scheduled dates for interviews with seven interested candidates in filling the vacancy in the membership of the Board of Education for 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 15 and 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Superintendent’s Update
The Benton Harbor Area Schools had two hundred ten (210) seniors graduate during commencement services on Friday, June 9, 2006.

Today was the last day of school for students for the 2005-2006 school year.

Martin Luther King, III, visited District schools today and also met with the members of the management team this morning.

A planning retreat for members of the management team has been scheduled for June 15-16, 2006 at St. Mary’s College, in South Bend, Indiana.

Board Comments
Trustee Woltman praised 2006 Benton Harbor High School graduation ceremony.

Trustee Henry commended the Benton Harbor High School graduating seniors and the senior lock-in.

Trustee Davis acknowledged his Board of Education tenure, and extended his appreciation to the citizens for their vote of confidence and gave thanks to the Board trustees and District staff stating it was a privilege to work with them.

Trustee McGinnis extended his appreciation to Dr. Davis for his outstanding tenure on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education.

Trustee Smith commended Dr. Davis for his tenure on the Board of Education and encouraged trustees to reply to the Michigan Association of School Boards survey.

There being no further business, the June regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.