MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
AUGUST 10, 2004 

The August regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Ken Woltman at 6:02 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

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

Minutes
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the organizational meeting of July 6, 2004 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the work session of July 6, 2004 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the regular meeting of July 13, 2004 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mrs. Smith that vendor payments in the amount of $1,666,788.51 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Henry:

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

Tuesday, August 10, 2004 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, September 7, 2004 before, during 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.

Business/Finance
Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the suggested resolutions for depositories, authorized agents and investment authority.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the District's participation for the 2004-2005 school year in the "Project Tiger" student literacy program in partnership with The Herald-Palladium for four elementary schools at a cost of $8,158.50.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the District's participation in On Location program in March-April 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the contract agreement to install Emergency Medical Stations in all of the schools in the Benton Harbor Area Schools at no cost to the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Helping One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) program agreement for three elementary schools at a cost of $17,900.00 for the 2004-2005 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the renewal of its operating agreement with the Twin Cities Beauty College to provide licensed cosmetology instruction for Benton Harbor High School students beginning the fall term of the 2004-2005 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the resolution confirming the District's commitment, along with the Berrien County Health Department, to the continuation of adolescent health services provided on the campus of Benton Harbor High School for the period of October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the resignation notifications of Carol Swinyar, Sarah Lardner and Beatrice Sisson and that a letter is sent thanking them for their years of service to the students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accepts the retirement notice of Margaret Balyeat and that a letter is sent thanking her for her many years of service to the students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the following recommendations and hire the below referenced administrators effective for the 2004-2005 school year:

Dr. J. Leonard Wright to fill the position of Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education;

Mrs. Virginia Ellen Abbott Maxwell to fill the position of Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education;

Mr. Dimitric M. Roseboro to fill the position of Benton Harbor High School Principal.

It was noted that Mr. Lynn Lang has declined the offer of Benton Harbor High School Assistant Principal.

The motion passed on the following vote:

AYES: Dr. Peeples-Burks  NAYS: Mr. Bowman
Mrs. Smith  Mr. Henry
Mr. McGinnis
Dr. Davis
Mr. Woltman

Consent
Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following grants and donations to the District for the 2004-2005 school year.

Superintendent's Update
Governor Granholm has approved legislation that governs the way the Intermediate School Districts vote.

Superintendent Dawning reviewed Education Yes! Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) scores and composites for the 2003-2004 school year.  Fair Plain and Hull Middle Schools did not make AYP.  Indicators include student attendance, and schools must have 85% student attendance or that school will not make AYP.  Three District schools are in Phase I; one school is in Phase III and one school is in Phase IV.

The District has received enrollment inquiries from Charter School parents who wish to send their children back to Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The recent news of employee layoffs from Bosch Automotive Group will have an impact on District enrollment due to families moving out-of-state.

District building renovations are on schedule and working toward opening day of August 30, 2004.

Dr. J. Leonard Wright has recommended a candidate for the Benton Harbor High School Band Director, and the candidate has passed an interview with former band director, Troy Jones.

Fair Plain and Hull Middle Schools are compiling together a plan of restructuring, and the Benton Harbor High School is also compiling a high school reform plan.

Board Comments
Trustee McGinnis asked to meet with Project Tiger representatives to discuss the student literacy program.

Trustee Bowman requested that any potential employment candidates be voted on separately and that Board policies, which govern hiring practices, should be reviewed.  Mr. Bowman discussed his attendance at the Michigan Association of School Boards summer conference.

Trustee Peeples-Burks questioned the Welcome Back date for staff, and reminded Trustee McGinnis that he is on the instructional committee.

Trustee Davis commended Superintendent Dawning for her efforts stating the District is moving forward despite staff losses.

Trustee Henry expressed his concerns that qualified District employees are not being promoted to administrative positions and suggested seeking internal candidates for vacancies.

Trustee Smith extended her wishes for a great school year, and encouraged all to participate in the Pizza on the Beach scheduled for Thursday, August 12, 2004.

There being no further business, the August regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.