The July regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Ms. Carolyn Graves at 6:02 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Present: Mrs. Annie Robinson, Ms. Michelle Jones, Mr. Waymon Hodges, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman and Ms. Carolyn Graves

President Ms. Carolyn Graves welcomed everyone and explained that items discussed at the work session are voted on at the regular meeting.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the work session of June 1, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the regular meeting of June 8, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the special meeting of June 10, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the public hearing of June 29, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of June 29, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman that vendor payments in the amount of $2,115,322.17 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Whirlpool Corporation has sponsored some 25 Benton Harbor, Coloma, Lakeshore and St. Joseph 7^th and 8^th grade students to attend Michigan Technological University math and science summer workshops.

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

THAT Board policy IDCG - Extended Programs/Honors Program be hereby adopted as policy of the school District and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.

Trustee Hodges stated that he did not see the need for any additional language added to this policy.

The motion passed on the following vote:

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

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

Tuesday, July 13, 1999 before and/or following the regular meeting of the Board of Education on  that date, and Tuesday, August 3, 1999 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.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of an 8-foot commercial satellite dish donated to the Futures Academy, valued at $700, from Mr. Jerry Miller, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Mr. James White be employed as Principal of Fair Plain Junior High School by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective at the start of the 1999/2000 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Brenda Shepard be granted a one-year Professional Growth Leave of Absence, in accordance with Article XIII, Section L, of the Teachers' Master Labor Agreement, for one calendar year, effective for the 1999/2000 school year. The teacher shall provide adequate documentation of academic work at the conclusion of said leave.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT Ms. Julie Warmbein be granted a Leave of Absence, in accordance with Article XIII, Sections G & I, of the Teachers' Master Labor Agreement, effective August 19, 1999, for a period not to exceed twelve calendar weeks.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Heather Kolberg's resignation be accepted and a letter be sent to her thanking her for her services to the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Bonnie Shadle's resignation be accepted and a letter be sent to her thanking her for her services to the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Board of Education accept Mr. Lafayette Rockette's, Custodial Foreman, resignation effective no later than November 24, 1999, or at such time as Mr. Rockette should fail to submit to the District acceptable medical documentation to substantiate the need to utilize accumulated sick leave.

Pursuant to this resignation, the Board of Education declares the administrative position of Custodial Foreman vacant and directs the Human Resources Department to post said vacancy.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the retirement of Ms. Maxisure Garrett 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.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Other
President Graves stated that following the regular meeting the Board would recess into closed session for the purpose of a grade appeal hearing.

Due to an outstanding conference expense claim, Trustee Peeples-Burks requested that Board policy BBBF - Reimbursement for Board Expenses be reviewed by the Policy Committee and enforced.

Superintendent's Update
The Kellogg Planning Grant Committee met today to discuss how to effectively develop a potential School-Based Health Clinic within the Benton Harbor Area Schools. Five committee members attended a National Assembly on School-Based Care Conference and disseminated a wealth of information. The gathered information will be compiled into a report to the Kellogg Foundation.

Public Participation
Mrs. Marian Shannon-Oliver addressed the Board requesting additions/corrections to the Minutes of the Public Hearing on June 29, 1999 and to the Minutes of the Special Meeting on June 29, 1999. At the Public Hearing, Mrs. Shannon-Oliver questioned Special Education and At-Risk funding and asked if this revenue would be impacted if BH property taxes continue to increase and the improvement and quality of life in BH goes up. Mr. Farmer replied that At-Risk and Special Education funding is based on student population need. If the economy in BH improves At-Risk and Title I funding would decrease. At the June 29 Special Meeting, Mrs. Shannon-Oliver asked for a list of persons on the interview panel not the grade review panel. Mrs. Shannon-Oliver questioned the difference between the positions of custodial foreman and the coordinator of maintenance. She inquired about the administrative staff changes for the 1999/2000 school year, the parent involvement on recent interview teams and also asked to inspect the district's financial records. Mrs. Shannon-Oliver also asked what are the benefits to the district or teachers in granting professional development leave of absences.

Mr. Curtis Murphy addressed the Board with his concerns regarding the BHAS MEAP scores. He also denied being related to newly elected Trustee Michelle Jones, as was suggested in a recent article in The Herald Palladium's "Letters to the Editor."

Mr. James Lowery addressed the Board and inquired if the buildings under construction will be ready for the start of school. He questioned the 1999/2000 administrative staff contracts and salaries, and expressed his concern that the Service Employees Group have been working without a contract and that they are experiencing difficulty in ratifying a labor agreement.

Mr. James Bell addressed the Board and asked why the district custodians are not being utilized to service the administrative offices. He also inquired if BHAS had any land for acquisition.

Mr. Reinaldo Tripplett addressed the Board expressing his concerns with the 1999/2000 administrative staff changes. He stated that many community residents, staff and students are upset with these decisions.

Ms. Lea Cochran addressed the Board and questioned the right of a building administrator to suggest that a student be locked-up in a juvenile facility.

Board Comments
Trustee Hodges commented on the building renovations substantial progress and also gave a reminder to make sure that the equipment is secured at night.

Trustee Peeples-Burks stated that the deadline for the selection of an architectural firm proposal is coming soon and she asked Trustees to keep in mind competency when choosing an architect.

The Board of Education recessed to closed session at 7:35 p.m. for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel a grade change appeal, litigations and negotiations.

The Board of Education reconvened at 8:35 p.m.

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

THAT the Board of Education rescind the student grade change resolution adopted by Board action on June 29, 1999.

The motion passed on the following vote: