MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2006

The September regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Dan McGinnis at 6:05 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present:  Mr. Dan McGinnis, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman (7:05), Mr. Anthony Henry, Ms. Lue Buchana and Mrs. Iris Watts

Absent:  Mrs. Carolyn Fort

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Minutes of the work session of August 1, 2006 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the regular meeting of August 8, 2006 be approved as printed;

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Buchana that vendor payments in the amount of $2,277,773.00 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Mr. Michael McEvilly, Vice President of Operations for GLP Investment Services presented Benton Harbor Area Schools with a $5,000 scholarship and a plaque of recognition in honor of Superintendent Paula Dawning being named Michigan Superintendent of the Year last November.  GLP awards a scholarship each year to the District whose superintendent has been named Superintendent of the Year.

Praise and recognition was given to Boynton Montessori School for their Summer Book Club 2006.  Principal Ericka Robinson showed a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the program.

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

THAT effective immediately 03-05-15-HMS, 07-05-03-FPMS and 06-05-29-BHHS be allowed to return as students in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT Board policies:

be hereby adopted as policy of the School District and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.   

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mrs. Watts:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the establishment of two new employment positions: 1) Director of Communications and Public Relations and, 2) Communications and Public Relations Secretary D.  The salaries and other employee fringe benefits will be in accordance with the Board approved polices and resolutions.

The motion passed on the following vote:

AYES: Ms. Buchana   NAYS: Mr. McGinnis
Mr. Henry
Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Watts

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mrs. Watts:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the Smoke-Free Indoor Air Resolution.

The motion passed on the following vote:

AYES: Ms. Buchana  NAYS: Mr. Henry
Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Watts
Mr. McGinnis

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Buchana:

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

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, October 3, 2006 before, during or following
the work session of the Board of Education on that date,

in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons, 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 #6
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Commercial Card Classic Agreement with Chase Bank.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mrs. Watts:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the contract for renovation work at the Charles Gray Teen Center to Pearson Construction Company of Benton Harbor, MI in the amount of $175,000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mrs. Watts and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially adopt the Michigan School Readiness Program Resolution for a grant in the amount of $495,000.00 to fund the four-year-old Preschool Program for the 2006-2007 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Principal Stephanie Rockette presented the 2006 Elementary Summer School report via a PowerPoint presentation.  The Elementary Summer School was held June 19 – August 2, 2006 for K-5th graders at Calvin Britain Elementary School.

Science Consultant Paul Lee presented the 2006 5th Grade Summer Science Camp report via a PowerPoint presentation and the aide of two summer science students who read aloud what they learned and liked best about the program.  Fifth grade students worked on 8th grade materials and concepts in Life Science, Earth Science and Physical Science.

The 2006 Middle School Summer School Report was pulled from the agenda.

Trustee J. Allene Smith left the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Watts:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accepts the resignation notices from the following teachers and that a letter is sent thanking them for their years of service to the students of the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accepts the retirement notices from Jeralyn Woodworth and Colleen Lundgren and that a letter is sent thanking them for their many years of service to the students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education employ Louretta Cunningham-Powell as Dean of the Freshman Academy for the 2006-2007 school year, effective August 21, 2006.  Her salary will be in accordance with the Benton Harbor Area Schools Administrators’ Master Labor Agreement.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mrs. Watts and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education employ Mary Meeks as Principal of Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School for the 2006-2007 school year, effective September 5, 2006.  Her salary will be in accordance with the Benton Harbor Area Schools Administrators’ Master Labor Agreement.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Ms. Buchana and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education employ Eric Williams as Assistant Principal of Hull Middle School for the 2006-2007 school year, effective September 5, 2006.  His salary will be in accordance with the Benton Harbor Area Schools Administrators’ Master Labor Agreement.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Ms. Buchana and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education employ the following teachers effective August 28, 2006.

  • Greg Barney
  • Denise Brumbelow
  • Mindy Clawson
  • Lyn Earwood
  • Julie Ferstle
  • Eric Finton
  • Brian Gerst
  • Emily Hecht
  • Linda Just
  • Linda Kuieck
  • Kasey Miller-Scaccia
  • Jennifer Nowlen
  • Delane Overton
  • David Pelot
  • Angela Smith
  • Kylee Tamminga
  •  Cassandra Tubbs
  •  Sally Vanderak
  • Mathew Walker

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #15
A motion was made by Mrs. Watts and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT Kelly Lee failed to give Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education notice of intent to discontinue her services at least 60 days before September 2nd of the ensuing school year.  Therefore, Kelly Lee’s resignation is being received and accepted, but without consent of the Board of Education.  Kelly Lee forfeits her rights to continuing tenure previously acquired under the Michigan Teachers’ Tenure Act, Pursuant to Article V, Section 1 of the Act.  MCL 38.111.

The motion failed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #15A
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT Angelique Bell, a health wellness teacher, be laid off effective, September 10, 2006.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Consent
Staff Report #16
A motion was made by Mrs. Watts and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following grants and donations to the District for the 2006-2007 school year:

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Superintendent’s Update
As of September 11, 2006, there are 3790 students enrolled in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Results have been received from a 2006 senior pre-college survey that was given to surrounding school districts, which pertained to career tech programs and educational experiences.

Currently the Benton Harbor High School offers twelve (12) classes for dual enrollment.

As the most cost effective method, the Benton Harbor Area Schools have purchased their own fingerprinting machine.

The District has been selected to participate in State Focused Monitoring for special education students, which is essentially an audit of student records.

Public Participation
Mrs. Irma Walker addressed the Board of Education stating her employment concerns as a Chartwells Food Service employee.

Mr. Isaiah Newson addressed the Board of Education expressing his concerns with the comments made by the previous public participant.

Board Comments
Trustee Buchana encouraged staff and community to support BHAS athletics and asked parents to speak with their children to uphold the District’s Uniform Code of Discipline.

Trustee Woltman questioned why there is no coffee tonight and commented that last week there were no refreshments at all.

Trustee Henry expressed his concerns with District student enrollment of less than 4,000 students and congratulated the new teaching staff.

Trustee McGinnis requested that all Board trustees and management team members be seated at 6:00 p.m. and in the interest of time please keep all school presentations to 7-10 minutes.  Mr. McGinnis stated that staff moral is important and the District has promoted from within.

There being no further business, the September regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.