MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
AUGUST 14, 2001

The August regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by Vice President Annie Robinson at 6:10 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present: Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mr. Anthony Henry, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Ken Woltman and Ms. Michelle Jones

Absent: Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell

Minutes
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Ms. Jones that the Minutes of the organizational meeting of July 3, 2001 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Ms. Jones and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the work session of July 3, 2001 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Ms. Jones that the Minutes of the public hearing of July 10, 2001 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Ms. Jones  ABSTENTION:  Mrs. Smith
Dr. Peeples-Burks
Mr. Henry
Mrs. Robinson

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Ms. Jones that the Minutes of the regular meeting of July 24, 2001 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Ms. Jones  ABSTENTION:  Mrs. Smith
Dr. Peeples-Burks
Mr. Henry
Mrs. Robinson

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Smith that vendor payments in the amount of $1,896,763.73 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 Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Jones:

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

Tuesday, August 14, 2001 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on

that date, and
Tuesday, September 4, 2001 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.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the resolution to appoint election inspectors for the special election to be held on September 18, 2001, as prepared by Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison requested that the renewal of the cosmetology contract be added to the agenda.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the renewal of the cosmetology contract be added to the agenda.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the 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 this fall term of the 2001-2002 school year. The terms and conditions of the Agreement shall be subject to review and revision by the Board of Education's General Counsel.

The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Ms. Smith  ABSTENTION: Mrs. Jones
Dr. Peeples-Burks
Mr. Henry
Mrs. Robinson

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the retirement of Mrs. Melanie L. McCammon be accepted and a letter be sent thanking her for her years of service to the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the following resignations be accepted and a letter be sent thanking them for their years of service to the District:

Ms. Sandra Atkins Mr. Robin Kniebes
Ms. Krista Bischoff Ms. Kimberly Lowe
Ms. Susan Hannon Ms. Shannon McBride
Ms. Anna Humes Mr. Theodore Potts, Jr.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #5
Staff report #5 was delayed for voting purposes until the Board of Education reconvened from closed session.

Other
Following the regular meeting the Board of Education will recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel litigations.

Superintendent's Update
Several school buildings are in the process of being remodeled and will be ready for opening day of the 2001-2002 school year.

Voter registration deadline for the upcoming millage renewal is Monday, August 20.

The first day of school for Benton Harbor Area Schools students is Monday, August 27, 2001.

Public Participation II
Ms. Marie Hobson addressed the Board of Education and extended her appreciation to the management team for the excellent Pathwise professional staff training opportunity. Ms. Hobson also requested a list of employment positions paid by Title I and general fund monies.

Ms. Marion Shannon-Oliver addressed the Board of Education and asked for a list of acceptable school supplies for BHAS students. Ms. Shannon-Oliver praised the E-Business Club student presentation last week citing that the media has already left resulting in commendable District news not being reported.

Board Comments
Trustee Woltman praised the BHAS cheerleaders for excellent District representation at Hope College.

Trustee Peeples-Burks commended on her attendance at her 55th BHHS class reunion recently held.

Trustee Henry expressed his displeasure with the audience leaving early last week and not observing the E-Business Club student presentation. Mr. Henry encouraged voter support in the upcoming millage renewal election.

The Board of Education recessed to closed session at 6:50 p.m. to discuss with legal council litigations.

Present: Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mr. Anthony Henry, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Ken Woltman and Ms. Michelle Jones

Also Present: Ms. Renee Williams, Ms. Nora Jefferson, Mrs. Virginia Maxwell and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

The Board of Education reconvened to open session at 7:27 pm.

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

THAT Mrs. Brownie Peters be suspended effective immediately and that the Board of Education proceed with tenure charges.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business, the August regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.