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

Present: Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Ken Woltman, Ms. Michelle Jones and Ms. Carolyn Graves

Absent: Mrs. J. Allene Smith

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Robinson that the Minutes of the work session of August 1, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the regular meeting of August 8, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Mitchell that the Minutes of the special meeting of August 24, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Robinson that vendor payments in the amount of $5,225,081.76 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Superintendent Williams saluted co-chairpersons Darrel Allen and Robert L. Bowman, Jr. for their efforts and volunteer commitment to the Benton Harbor Area Schools YES! Committee.

Central Administration
Due to the defeated bond proposal, staff reports 1 and 2 were removed from the agenda.

Staff Report #3
Trustee Peeples-Burks questioned the acceptance of the Affirmative Action Resolution and suggested that the Board Policy Committee review the BHAS Affirmative Action Policy. She alleged that the resolution was not properly discussed or officially added to the agenda at the work session and recommended that the resolution be tabled. Trustee Woltman added that while it is good business practice, the resolution is redundant of the District policy already in place and therefore not needed. Trustee Mitchell acknowledged responsibility for the initiation of the proposed Affirmative Action Resolution.

A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT staff report #3 be tabled until the October Board of Education meeting to allow the Board Policy Committee to review the BHAS Affirmative Action Policy.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4
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, September 12, 2000 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education
on that date, and

Tuesday, October 3, 2000 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.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Robinson:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education donate bus #75 to the Benton Harbor/Benton Township Drill Team.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the lease extension for North Shore and Spinks Corners Schools to Tri-County Head Start Board for two years according to the lease agreements drawn up by District counsel.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the revisions to the Uniform Code of Discipline and Students' Rights and Responsibilities handbook as they appear on pages 36 and 37 and further adopts the Uniform Code as printed for the 2000-2001 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the one-year contractual agreement with Lake Michigan College to provide an instructor for the District's CISCO Networking Academy.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially adopt the Preschool Participating Resolution for a grant in the amount of $633,600 to fund the four-year-old Preschool Program for the 2000-2001 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Mitchell:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of a MindBuilder Webcademy multi-media training course software donation to the career/tech program, valued at approximately $35,000 from Mr. Scott Brown.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Reports #11-15
A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the following be employed as professional teaching staff by the Benton Harbor Area Schools:

 The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Reports #16-28
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT the following professional staff resignations be accepted and a letter be sent to them thanking them for their services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools:

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #29
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mrs. Robinson:

THAT Mrs. Valerie Elliott's retirement be acknowledged and accepted and that a letter from the District be sent to her thanking her for her services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Reports #30-31
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Mitchell:

THAT the following teachers be placed on Second Year Probation as a requirement of the Michigan Teachers' Tenure Act:

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Reports #32-34
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Mitchell:

THAT the following teachers be placed on Third Year Probation as a requirement of the Michigan Teachers' Tenure Act:

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #35
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Mitchell:

THAT Steven Edwards be placed on Fourth Year Probation as a requirement of the Michigan Teachers' Tenure Act.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Other
Following the regular meeting the Board of Education will recess into closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel possible student expulsions and the Superintendent's evaluation instrument revisions.

Superintendent's Update
Superintendent Williams encouraged parents and trustees to attend the many open houses at school buildings and also praised the JROTC students for assisting with a special event at Fair Plain West Elementary School.

Public Participation
Mr. James Turner addressed the Board of Education expressing his support of District efforts. He stated that the Million Family March would be assembling in Washington, D.C., on October 16, 2000 and discussed the "walking bus" a safety program in Chicago where parents walk in front and in back of students who are in route to and from school.

Mr. Dave Mohr addressed the Board of Education stating that the elimination of the drivers' education program is a mistake. Mr. Mohr stated that any future funds spent on the District bond endeavor is a waste of taxpayer money and should be spent on educating students.

Mr. Curtis Murphy addressed the Board of Education suggesting that the bond failure was due to incorrect campaign promotion to District parents. He stated that there is a need for civic information to be taught in government classes regarding the importance of voting in local, county and state elections.

BHHS student, Michael Blanks, addressed the Board of Education seeking information on District per pupil funding and budgets.

Mrs. Stephanie Gunter addressed the Board of Education concerning the reputation of King Junior High School. She stressed the importance of continuous support for staff and students and holding students accountable for their own actions.

Board Comments
Trustee Peeples-Burks expressed the significance of the Uniform Code of Discipline pertaining to both staff and students citing the recent incident at Indiana University. She also read an article concerning the history of the Morton House Museum.

Trustee Robinson questioned the Lake Michigan College CISCO Networking Academy contract regarding student slots.

Trustee Graves gave a reminder of the upcoming Michigan Association of School Boards Annual Fall Leadership Conference scheduled for November 9-12.

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

THAT the Board of Education recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel possible student expulsions and the Superintendent's evaluation instrument revisions.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Board of Education recessed to closed session at 7:30 p.m.

Present: Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Ken Woltman and Ms. Carolyn Graves

Absent: Mrs. J. Allene Smith and Ms. Michelle Jones

Also Present: Ms. Renee Williams, Mr. Richard Garrison, Mr. Stephen Mitchell, Dr. Leo Cloman and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

Mr. Stephen Mitchell, Group Director for Operations and Facilities, updated the Board of Education regarding possible land acquisition.

Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Tenisha Johnson be permanently expelled from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for a violation of the Uniform Code of Discipline. The conditions of the expulsion and possible readmission to school will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the revised Superintendent's evaluation instrument.

The motion passed on the following vote: