MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
AUGUST 3, 2004

Vice-President J. Allene Smith called the August work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:09 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks and Mr. Dan McGinnis

Absent:  Mr. Ken Woltman, Dr. Perry Davis and Mr. Robert L. Bowman

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a resolution designating depositories and authorized agents for various funds and authority to make investments.  New RFP's were sent to local banks for the best interest rates and fees.  Horizon Bank offered the best deposit interest.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the renewal of Project Tiger for the 2004-2005 school year.  For the past several years the District has been participating in a partnership with The Herald-Palladium in a "Newspaper in Education" program that promotes student literacy and will involve students in grades 3-5 in four elementary schools: Fair Plain West, MLK, Sorter and Sterne Brunson.  The approximate cost for participation in this partnership literacy program will be $8,158.50, and will be funded through Title I.  The Herald Palladium Newspaper in Education Coordinator Traci Smith was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the On Location program in March and April 2005.  The Career and Technical Department of Benton Harbor Area Schools proposed that the currently implemented On Location program be moved from the summer to the school year.  Sixth grade students from all BHAS middle schools will participate in the program during March and April of 2005.  Students spend four hours each morning in the assigned businesses working alongside employees.  The last one-half hour will be spent in journal writing.  At that time, the students will reflect on what they have done that day, what they have learned and how the activities connect to academic studies in school.  Director of Career/Technical Education Carole Fetke was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the defibrillator grant resolution.  The Emergency Medical Systems Company is seeking approval to install an Emergency Medical Station in the elementary, middle and high school buildings at no cost to the District.  The Emergency Medical Stations are designed so that on top of providing their customers with a fully compliant PAD (Public Address Defibrillation) program, an emergency medical assistance and 911 notification system, the Emergency Medical Station is equipped with a 17" LCD screen, which plays a ten minute program 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The schools' obligation is:

  1. To sign a 60-month School Commercial Lease Agreement, which covers the placement of each Emergency Medical Station.
  2. To provide, standard 110-volt service.

The Emergency Medical Systems Company will be paying the District $900 a year for each unit.  Health Services Coordinator Veronica Spencer and Emergency Medical Systems Representative John Bethea were present to demonstrate the Emergency Medical Station and to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Helping One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) program contracts renewal for the 2004-2005 school year.  The HOSTS program is operational in three elementary schools: Fair Plain Northeast, Fair Plain West and Sorter.  HOSTS is a comprehensive program using research-based strategy to deliver one-on-one instruction and is correlated to the MEAP and MLPP tests.  To cover license and services to be provided by HOSTS, the District agrees to pay $6,000 each for Fair Plain Northeast and Sorter, and $5,900 for Fair Plain West for a total of $17,900 for the 2004-2005 school year.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the cosmetology contract renewal for the 2004-2005 school year.  There is a need to continue offering a cosmetology course for Benton Harbor High School juniors and seniors who have an interest in this important career pathway offering.  Twin Cities Beauty College has proposed to extend its operating agreement with the District to provide licensed cosmetology training at its Lincoln Township campus.  Director of Career/Technical Education Carole Fetke was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the school-based clinic resolution.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools (BHAS) and the Berrien County Health Department (BCHD) have partnered with each other for the provision of adolescent health services at the Benton Harbor High School Teen Health Clinic since 1987.  The mutual goal of the BCHD and the BHAS is to promote good health and prevent disease, disabilities or other health barriers that interfere with school attendance and so interrupt the successful completion of the student's education.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools is committed to the continuation of the adolescent health services, provided with parental consent on the campus of Benton Harbor High School.  Berrien County Health Department Representative June Moore was present to answer any questions.

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

Potential candidates for the BHHS Principalship and Assistant Principalship, Mr. Dimitric Roseboro and Mr. Lynn Lang, respectively, were present.

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

Other
Following the work session the Board of Education will recess into closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal council personnel issues and litigations.

Board Comments
Trustee Peeples-Burks discussed her attendance at the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority National Convention in Las Vegas.

Trustee McGinnis requested, for informational purposes and clarity, that any future company presentations should also include their company's operational statistics and bio.

Trustee Henry stated that education today is different than before in terms of mandates and reporting requirements.  Financial support is an issue across the nation, and it is imperative to analyze proposals to ensure the District receives the best options for their dollars.

The Board recessed to closed session at 8:04 p.m.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks and Mr. Dan McGinnis

Absent:  Mr. Ken Woltman, Dr. Perry Davis and Mr. Robert L. Bowman

Also Present:  Dr. Paula Dawning and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

Superintendent Dawning discussed with Board trustees and legal council personnel issues and litigations.

There being no further business, the August work session was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.