President Ms. Carolyn Graves called the August work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:30 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

Central Administration
Superintendent Williams reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a revision to the 1999/2000 Uniform Code of Discipline and Students' Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. Recently, Governor Engler signed into law four bills which address school safety and provide schools with new authority and additional responsibilities, including: "snap suspensions" by teachers; mandatory discipline of students for both physical and verbal assaults by students; a reporting network with local law enforcement agencies; and "strict discipline" public school academies (PSA's). The revised school code is effective immediately and school districts must amend applicable policies and procedures before the school year begins. Public Act 104 requires the mandatory expulsion of a student enrolled in grade six or above who physically or verbally assaults a school employee, volunteer or an individual under a contract with the school. This Act also applies to any student making bomb threats. Public Act 102 requires the mandatory expulsion of a student enrolled in grade six or above who physically assaults another student. A physical assault would result in a mandatory 180-day expulsion. A verbal assault would result in an expulsion up to 180 days. Public Act 103 "Snap Suspensions by Teachers" allows classroom teachers to suspend a student for up to one day from a class, subject, or activity, if there is good reason to believe the pupil's presence poses a clear threat to the safety and welfare of others.

Business and Finance
As an informational item, Assistant Superintendent Mark Giffels stated that he has been working on a committee designed to ensure that BHAS is Y2K compliant. District business areas such as child accounting, payroll, accounts receivable, etc., have been tested and are compliant. However, some Windows 95 programs were found to be non-compliant.

Human Resources
Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the following action items:

• Professional Teaching Staff Resigning
• Recommendation for Tenure
• Recommendation for 2^nd Year Probation
• Professional Teaching Staff Retiring

Mr. Garrison stated that next week interviews would be conducted to fill administrative vacancies that include building principalships, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources/Labor Relations and the Accountant position. The District is looking at combining the principalship for the Creative Arts and Gifted & Talented Academies.

Superintendent's Update
Superintendent Williams stated that the Board of Education is considering closing Stump Early Childhood Center. The recommendation is a result of BHAS students enrolling in other school districts, which constitutes a loss in state aid revenue in the amount of $2,756,864. Additionally, BHAS will be losing the 31(a) and Title I compensatory funding for these students as well. Unfortunately, there are still more unknown factors influencing enrollment for next year. The majority of students leaving BHAS are from the elementary division. Stump Early Childhood Center that serves K-3 has been selected to close based on enrollment and the attendance area. Letters have been sent to the parents of Stump school students notifying them of a Public Hearing scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 10, 1999, following the regular Board meeting.

Public Participation
Mrs. Marian Shannon-Oliver addressed the Board questioning if corrections have been made to last month's Minutes concerning her public participation. She asked for a list of District consultants and the persons responsible for BHAS public relations and questioned the freshman orientation agenda. Mrs. Shannon-Oliver questioned the certification of secondary teachers in the four core subjects and their teaching schedules. In regards to "Snap Suspensions," she questioned the student ramifications for missing too much school and how the District planned to educate teachers and students about the changes in the School Code. Mrs. Shannon-Oliver also questioned the proposed closing of Stump School and how the District would handle walkers on Territorial Road with the road construction.

Board Comments
Trustee Peeples-Burks stated that in regards to the combining of principalships at Creative Arts and Gifted & Talented Academies, per Board policy, only the Board of Education could establish new professional positions. Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison responded that combining principalships is not creating a new position but filing a vacancy.

Trustee Michelle Jones' election was featured in the July 30 issue of the MASB Headlines.

President Graves disseminated a folder to trustees containing information on the 1999/2000 Board of Education Standing Committees. A new Technology Board Committee will be established for the 1999/2000 school year.

There being no further business, the August work session was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.