President J. Allene Smith called the August work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:06 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Trustee Peeples-Burks questioned why the Public Participation for Agenda Items was left off the agenda.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the implementation of GASB Statement Number 34 beginning with the fiscal year 2002-2003. According to the new rules of accounting policies for school districts, the Board of Education must approve a capitalization threshold for assets with an expected life of more than one year. In consultation with the District’s auditing firm, Plante & Moran, the business office has determined the threshold to be $5,000.00.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the Participating Resolution for the Michigan School Readiness Program grant. BHAS is applying for a Michigan School Readiness Program grant to fund the District’s four-year-old preschool program and the Boynton Montessori Preschool program. The amount of the grant is $818,400 from the Michigan Department of Education to provide preschool instruction for up to 248 students for the 2002-2003 school year.

Assistant Superintendent Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Twin City Beauty College contract renewal. There is a need to continue offering a cosmetology course for the Benton Harbor High School juniors and seniors who have an interest in this important career pathway offering. Twin City Beauty College has proposed to extend its operating agreement with the District to provide licensed cosmetology training at its Lincoln Township campus beginning the fall term of the 2002-2003 school year.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the Health Clinic Grant Resolution. Funding for the BHHS Teen Health Clinic expires as of September 30, 2002. The Health Clinic provides services to the District’s students, with special emphasis upon our high school population, and is operated in partnership with the Berrien County Health Department. The Michigan Department of Education has made competitive grant monies available for the continued operation of the Center. The Berrien County Health Department is writing a grant for Teen Health Clinic funding on behalf of the District. The grant requires the District to be the applying entity and that the District’s Board of Education adopt a formal Resolution. Berrien County Health Department Director of Program Planning, John Nelson, was present to discuss the proposed resolution and the future of the Health Clinic.

As an added item, Head Varsity Football Coach Larry Featherstone addressed the Board of Education seeking approval and funding for the Varsity Football Team’s attendance at Camp Wagner in Cassopolis, Michigan, scheduled for August 8-10, 2002. The two-day camp is intended to lay a solid foundation for the team’s performance this season at a cost of $5,000. Assistant Superintendent Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve and fund the Varsity Football Team’s attendance at Camp Wagner.

• Professional Staff Retiring
• Professional Staff Resigning
• Hiring of Professional Staff
• Ratification of Various Contracts

Trustee packets of information for the Board of Education work sessions and regular meetings will be delivered one week in advance of each meeting to allow time for review.

Teacher content knowledge is most important to student achievement, which requires professional development. During the last eighteen months (1/01– 6/02) the Goals 2000 Grant, in partnership with the Berrien County Intermediate School District, focused on mathematics for professional development, which increased content knowledge and showed significant gains between pre/post scores 72-76%.

The BHAS operating budget for the fiscal year 2001-2002 officially closed on July 19 and the annual audit is targeted for August 26, 2002.

BHAS summer school attendance was 140 secondary students at Fair Plain Middle School and 430 elementary students at MLK.

DaVinci Sails has scheduled a Tiger Cub Regatta for 11:00 a.m. August 8, 2002, at Carronde Park.

• Principals & Staff Return - August 12, 2002
• New Teacher Orientation – August 19, 2002
• Freshman Orientation – August 20, 2002
• Opening Day For All Staff – August 21, 2002
• Opening Day For All Students – August 26, 2002

Ms. Marian Shannon-Oliver addressed the Board of Education thanking the school staff for the earlier notification of the school calendar and freshman orientation. Ms. Shannon-Oliver commended the District’s Newspaper in Education program and encouraged District participation with the Benton Spirit.

Mr. Isiah Newson addressed the Board of Education welcoming Paula M. Dawning as Superintendent of Schools and questioned if Board minutes could be posted on the District’s web site. He also encouraged the District to participate in the Council for World-Class Communities project.

Ms. Princella Tobias addressed the Board of Education encouraging the District to support the Benton Spirit and questioned the Project Tiger contract.

Trustee Henry commented on a featured article in the Benton Spirit regarding a full scholarship being awarded to Alexandra Shannon a Benton Harbor student.

Trustee Mitchell discussed Governor Engler’s recent veto on revenue sharing with cities and municipalities and the drastic effect it would have on counties and the School District. Benton Harbor City Officials are traveling to Lansing on August 13, to oppose this veto.

Trustee Peeples-Burks discussed a rally in support of community residents registering to vote and the value of teaching youngsters the significance of elections and the voting process.