MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
SEPTEMBER 5, 2006

President Dan McGinnis called the September Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present:  Mr. Dan McGinnis, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman, Ms. Lue Buchana and Mrs. Iris Watts

Absent:  Mrs. Carolyn Fort and Mr. Anthony Henry

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Communications
A moment of silence was conducted in honor of John (Jake) Robinson who recently passed away.  Mr. Robinson was a former District employee and husband of past Board of Education Trustee Annie Robinson.

Recognitions
The Benton Harbor High School Academy Deans were recognized for their commitment to student academic excellence.

Recognition and praise was extended to the Boynton Montessori Program and Creative Arts/Gifted & Talented Academy for achieving an “A” on the Education Yes! State Accreditation Report.

Trustee Buchana extended her prayers to former District student Fitzgerald Bobo for safely returning from the country of Kyrgyzstan.

Central Administration
As an informational item, The Alliance for World Class Communities Executive Director, Mark Mitchell presented an update on the Harbor Shores project, which is in its fourth year of planning.  The proposed $500 million dollar project includes a golf course, 2 hotels, an indoor water park, 850 residential homes and 75,000 feet of retail space.  It is projected that over 4,000 jobs would be created over the next four years.  Training for local hiring is now underway with a demand in health care and technology positions.  Most of the financial and environment issues have been addressed, but additional approvals are needed from state and local levels.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools would see an overall tax revenue increase as no tax abatements are proposed in the project.

Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve three student readmissions for the 2006-2007 school year.

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve District policy additions/revisions.  The Policy Committee has made a recommendation to add/revise the following policies:

Dr. Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve two new employment positions: 1) Director of Communications and Public Relations and, 2) Communications and Public Relations Secretary D.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools must maintain active communication with its publics to achieve the goals outlined in its five-year strategic plan.  The most cost effective method includes an internal public relations and communication function.  These communication vehicles are foundational to the strategic plan.  The overarching objective is to communicate Benton Harbor Area Schools messages and goals effectively to target audiences to encourage agreement and support.

Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt a Smoke-Free Indoor Air resolution.  The Smoke-Free Berrien Consortium is a group of interested parties including the Health Department, Lakeland Regional Medical Center who are hoping to initiate a clean air initiative for Berrien County.

Trustees J. Allene Smith and Iris Watts volunteered to be voting delegates at the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) fall conference with Trustee Henry to serve as an alternate.

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a Commercial Card Classic Agreement.  To facilitate the Board’s purchasing policy it is necessary for the school district to enter into an agreement with Chase Bank for Commercial Card services.

Operations/Facilities
 Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to award the bid for Teen Center renovations.  On August 29, 2006, bids were opened for renovation work at the Charles Gray Teen Center.  Pearson Construction Company and Shelton Construction Company were the only two companies that submitted bids.  The scope of the project includes a new pool liner and repairs to the swimming pool, painting of all the interior walls, repairing the two basketball court surfaces and lighting of the basketball courts.  The bid recommendation is for Pearson Construction Company at a cost of $175,000.  Citizens For Progressive Change (CPC) Executive Director, Marcus Robinson was present and presented the District with a donation in the amount of $70,000, to help fund the Charles Gray Teen Center renovations.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the grant resolution for the Michigan School Readiness Program.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools is applying for a Michigan School Readiness Program grant to fund Early Childhood Programs including the four-year-old preschool program.  The amount of the grant is $495,000 from the Michigan Department of Education to provide half-day preschool sessions for 150 students for the 2006-2007 school year.

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

Consent

Other
Following the work session the Board of Education will recess into closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel personnel issues.

President McGinnis questioned opening the Board meetings with a prayer.  Superintendent Dawning updated the Board of Education on the federal law pertaining to the separation of state and school.

Superintendent’s Update
Today was the first day of school for the 2006-2007 school year, buildings looked great and student attendance was a little higher than 60% of the student population.

A special thank you was extended to the Citizens for Progressive Change Celebrity Greeters for their help greeting students on the first day of school.

State Superintendent Michael Flanagan is scheduled to visit the District on Tuesday, September 19, 2006.

Public Participation
Mrs. Lisa Peeples-Hurst addressed the Board of Education questioning the status of a new curtain for the Kuschel Performing Arts Center.  The Dell Teens held a fundraiser two years ago and raised approximately $1900.00 for a new curtain.  Mrs. Peeples-Hurst asked if general fund monies could be used to make up the difference to purchase a new curtain, which costs approximately $2400.00.

Mrs. Marian Tripplett addressed the Board of Education expressing her appreciation for the Harbor Shores update and questioned if funding could be found in this project for maintenance of District buildings.  Mrs. Tripplett also questioned if this project would be viable for all surrounding school districts.

Mr. Isaiah Newson addressed the Board of Education commending Stephen Mitchell and Michael Brennand for their efforts in the soccer clinic for District students.  Mr. Newson questioned if all District schools were accredited and expressed his concerns with the low MEAP scores.  He stated that the community deserves to hear a response from the secondary leader.

Board Comments
Trustee Buchana discussed her visits to District schools and encouraged administrators to show respect by saying good morning, hello to staff and students.  Ms. Buchana questioned the safety of small children/preschoolers walking to bus stops, stating that they should be picked up in front of their home.

Trustee Watts encouraged parents to form a partnership with the school district to ensure that students are engaged in the learning process.

Trustee Woltman gave praise to the volunteers who landscaped the front of the Creative Arts/Gifted & Talented Academy building.

Trustee Smith discussed her attendance at the Fair Plain Northwest Learning Academy Community Forum and commended the grounds keeper of the high school football field.

Trustee McGinnis extended his gratitude for the audience support at Board meetings and encouraged the community to continue to attend.

The Board recessed to closed session at 7:35 p.m. to discuss with legal counsel personnel issues.

Present:  Mr. Dan McGinnis, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman, Mr. Anthony Henry, Ms. Lue Buchana and Mrs. Iris Watts

Also Present:  Dr. Paula Dawning, Ms. Nora Jefferson and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

There being no further business, the September work session was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.