President Carolyn Graves called the September work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:20 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Present: Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Ken Woltman and Ms. Carolyn Graves

Absent: Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell and Ms. Michelle Jones

Recognitions
Superintendent Renee' Williams welcomed back and personally thanked staff and students for a smooth opening day.

Central Administration
Superintendent Williams reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the amendments to the Superintendent's evaluation instrument. An ad-hoc committee was appointed at a special Board meeting in May 2000, to review and make necessary revisions to the evaluation instrument.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a bus donation to the Benton Harbor Drill Team. Staff has determined that the District does have a retired school bus for donation consideration.

Mr. Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a two-year lease extension to the Tri-County Head Start for use of North Shore and Spinks Corners School buildings.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison disseminated a copy of the BHAS enrollment totals taken the day after the Labor Day holiday by school and grade. Statistics show that the District is ahead comparatively to last year by 36 enrolled students. These totals reflect only preliminary statistics, the actual being the fourth Wednesday count that will be conducted in a few weeks.

Elementary and secondary summer school reports were presented by both Mrs. Stephanie Rockette, elementary summer school principal and Mrs. Kathy Atcher-Brooks, secondary summer school principal. Language arts was the focus of the K-6^th grade summer school program. A variety of instructional methodologies were used in the classrooms. Teacher, student, and computer presentations, combined with hands on materials, helped to actively engage students in their own learning. The computer labs supplemented the language arts and math curriculum. To date this six-week session had the largest student enrollment.

The purposes of the senior high summer school program were to offer credit for those students needing graduation credit and to give students an opportunity to make up classes. Subjects taught were based on student-selected courses that included US history, US government, geography, English 9-12, math and science. The junior high program was designed to facilitate learning for those students who were found to be experiencing academic difficulty during the regular school year.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the amendments to the 2000-2001 Uniform Code of Discipline Students' Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. The new State Aid Bill signed by Governor Engler has mandated changes in the Michigan Revised School Code regarding mandatory student expulsions effective immediately.

Assistant Superintendent Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Lake Michigan College CISCO Networking Academy contract. The District is seeking to contract with Lake Michigan College to provide an instructor for the CISCO Networking Academy career/tech course.

Mr. Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Michigan School Readiness Program grant. BHAS is applying for a grant to fund the four-year-old preschool program to provide half-day preschool sessions for 192 students.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve and accept a gift to the career/tech program. Mr. Scott Brown has donated software designed to allow electronics students to pursue a Certified Digital Technician designation. The software is a MindBuilder Webcademy multi-media training course with a market value of approximately $35,000. The BHAS Career/Technical Center has been designated as a pilot site for this software. Ms. Carole Fetke, Director of the Career/Technical Center, and Mr. Frank Gonzalez, electronics teacher, were present to answer any questions.

Trustee Woltman questioned the amount of District dollars being spent out of the general operating budget to pay for desegregation attorney fees. He also stressed the importance of the CISCO Networking Academy and the impact it could have on BHHS students after graduation.

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

• Employment of Professional Teaching Staff
• Resignation of Professional Staff
• Professional Teaching Staff Retiring
• Recommendation for Second Year Probation
• Recommendation for Third Year Probation
• Recommendation for Fourth Year Probation
• Other

Other
Following the work session the Board of Education will recess into closed session for the purpose of receiving an update regarding possible property acquisition.

Mr. Stephen Mitchell addressed the Board of Education reporting that Trustee Mitchell had created a resolution consistent with the current Affirmative Action Policy of the Benton Harbor Area Schools that states the Board's affirmation to this policy. The resolution acknowledges that all local, minority owned contractors would have full opportunity to bid on and participate in all contracts awarded by the Benton Harbor Area Schools in compliance with Michigan School Code Section 380.1267. Mr. Mitchell asked that the resolution be added to the agenda and a copy would be included in the Board's Friday packet.

• Sunday, September 3 - The Herald-Palladium featured an in-depth coverage of the BHAS bond proposal
• Thursday, September 7 - Get The Facts Rally - BHHS Kuschel Performing Arts Center
• Saturday, September 9 - VOTE - Bond Election Day
• Wednesday, September 6 - BHHS Open House

Board Comments
Trustee Smith extended congratulations to Trustee Jones for her academic achievement in making the Western Michigan University Dean's List. Mrs. Smith also expressed her concerns regarding a locker room incident following the girls' basketball game recently held in Saginaw.

Trustee Graves encouraged Benton Harbor residents to endorse the BHAS bond millage to rebuild District schools and vote on Saturday, September 9, 2000.

Trustees extended their condolences to the family of Mrs. Joyce Leuty, BHAS Board of Education Secretary, who passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2000.

The Board of Education recessed to closed session at 7:40 p.m.

There being no further business, the September work session was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.