MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
JULY 1, 2003

President J. Allene Smith called the July work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell, Dr. Perry Davis and Mr. Robert L. Bowman

Communications
Trustee Peeples-Burks read a thank you card from superintendent Paula Dawning expressing appreciation for the plant sent to her during her hospital stay.

Recognitions
Recognition and praise was extended to coach Larry Featherstone and members of the varsity football team for their time and assistance with the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament.

BHHS counselor Bill Hyslop was recognized as Educator of the Year for INROADS/Southwest Michigan.

Recognition was extended to District staff for their participation in the Michigan Middle School Mathematics Reform Project (M3RP).  District leadership M3RP team members include community member J. Allene Smith, Principal Stephanie Rockette, teacher leaders Betty Bowman, Marian Prince, Dawn Fredrickson and Charlene Durfee.

Central Administration
As an informational item, Parent Advisory Committee representative, Marian Shannon-Oliver, presented an update on the status of student uniforms.  Letters will be mailed to parents/guardians regarding uniform styles, colors and participating local vendors.  Announcements and ads will also be used as a method to disseminate information.  An urban contemporary style of uniform has been chosen for Benton Harbor Area School students.

In the absence of Superintendent Paula Dawning, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the News Bureau and Publications proposal.  Benton Harbor Area Schools must maintain active communication with its publics to achieve the goals outlined in its five-year strategic plan.  Outside assistance is needed to continue regular publications to communicate with and inform various publics about the District's goals, visions and activities.

Marketing Partners, Inc., has submitted a proposal to perform the functions of a news bureau dedicated to gathering and compiling news and feature story information, determining the best channels for specific stories and developing stories and media/publicity releases targeted to those channels.  The elements of the news bureau and publications program are Vision: Employee Newsletter; Progress: Parent/Family Newspaper; Community Leader/Partner Newsletter and press releases or media advisories.  The proposal fee for services is $59,500 beginning July 1, 2003 through May 1, 2004.  Mr. Steven A. Reed, President of Marketing Partners, Inc., was present to answer any questions.  Trustee Mitchell proposed that Marketing Partners, Inc., utilize BHHS students in this media effort.

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the resolution to Call the Special School Election scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2003, as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg.  The purpose of the Special School Election is to seek approval of a building and site sinking fund tax levy not to exceed 2 mills for a period of 5 years, 2003-2007.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the District's membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association for the middle schools and senior high school for the 2003-2004 school year.

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

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

Superintendent’s Update
In the absence of Superintendent Dawning, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that students are enjoying the District's summer curriculum such as Summer School, Freedom Program and the King/Chavez/Parks Summer Residential Program.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools has received $15,000 from the Berrien County Health Department to administer the TP3 Program.

Board Comments
Trustee Mitchell commended the newly elected officers for the 2003-2004 school year and welcomed Robert L. Bowman to the Board of Education.

There being no further business, the July work session was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.