MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
SEPTEMBER 13, 2005

The September regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President J. Allene Smith at 6:13 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Anthony Henry, Mr. Robert Bowman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Absent:  Mr. Dan McGinnis, Dr. Perry Davis and Mr. Ken Woltman

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the work session of August 2, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman that the Minutes of the regular meeting of August 9, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the special meeting of August 25, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the special meeting of August 27, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman that vendor payments in the amount of $2,567,604.59 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Science consultant Paul Lee and teacher Bob Lawrence presented the 2005 Fifth Grade Summer Science Enrichment Camp report.  Thirty-five fifth grade students registered for the Science Camp and 28 students completed the program.  The camp covered specific standards and benchmarks from Life and Physical Science, most of the time was spent on Physical Science.  A very large portion of the material used for the activities was donated by the Society of Automotive Engineers and their program “A Work in Motion.”  The activities were inquiry based with the students doing a great deal of writing and graphing in order to present their projects and findings to the other students and a Board of Directors (parents).

Elementary teachers were recognized as a division for making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the 2004-2005 school year.  Plaques of recognition were awarded to nine building principals.

The recognition of a BHHS teacher was pulled from the agenda and will be added at a later date.

A moment of silence was conducted and condolences were extended to BHHS teacher/coach Ramsey Nichols in the death of his father.

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

THAT effective immediately 06-04-061-HMS, 07-04-02-HMS, 05-04-044-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 Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. Henry:

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

Tuesday, September 13, 2005 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, October 4, 2005 before, during 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 #3

A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education extend the contract with Skillman Corporation for Phase III of the Strategic Plan for renovation work at Stump School.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
As an informational item, Principal Stephanie Rockette presented the 2005 Elementary Summer School report via a PowerPoint presentation.  One hundred sixty nine students in grades K-4 were enrolled in the 6-week summer school program.  Targeted students for enrollment were those 2 years+ below on the Dibels test.  Various activities, per grade, were performed that included a visit to Curious Kids Museum.  Andrews University students also volunteered as classroom aids.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the out-of-town trips for the high school marching band to (1) Pontiac, Michigan, (2) Normal, Alabama and (3) Oxon Hill, Maryland.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Middle School Summer School and High School Summer School reports were pulled from the agenda and will be presented at the October meeting.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the employment resignations from Inger Taylor, Lyn Earwood, Timothy Robinson, Terra Huffman, Ray Howland, Nora Curtis and Tameka Tyson.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the letters of retirement from Vivian Cardelli and Juanita Williams.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the employment of the following professional staff, effective for the 2005-2006 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Other
The Benton Harbor Area Schools has received a Church or School Objection form from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC).  The letter indicated that the Liquor Control Commission had received an application for a retail liquor license to be located within 500 feet from Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School.  Under the provision of the Commission’s Church or School Hearing Rules, if the District objects to the issuance of this license, the District has 15 days to file a resolution with the Lansing Office of the Commission.  The resolution must be completed by the governing Board and should contain specific reasons for such objections.  The Liquor Commission will make the final decision as to the issuance of a liquor license.  The owner of D&M Supermarket (Ontario Corporation) and his Attorney Brian McMahon were present to discuss this request. 

A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education add the Michigan Liquor Control Commission Church or School Resolution to the agenda.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education vote to deny an application to obtain a new Specially Designated Distributor License (retail liquor license), which was requested by 1153353 Ontario Inc. (An Ontario Corporation), 130 W. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, 49022, St. Joseph Township, Berrien County.

The store is located within 500 feet of the Benton Harbor Area Schools, Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School, located at 120 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

The application was denied by the Board of Education for the following reasons:

1. Lack of community support, as reflected by the large number of individuals in attendance at the regular Board of Education meeting who indicated their disapproval.
2. The schools have experienced unfavorable responses from similar businesses located in close proximity to our schools, i.e., loitering, public intoxications, sexual harassments of older female students, littering, etc.
3. There are adequate number of stores, within a one-mile radius, to serve the needs of those who desire these products (hard liquor).
4. Congregating of individuals who potentially create an uncomfortable environment for adolescents who walk through, especially if they have been already drinking.
5. The possibility of negatively impacting the property values of the residents who live in the vicinity of the store.
6. The exposure of impressionable adolescents to adults who have been drinking and are not fully in control of themselves.
7. The risk of increasing criminal activity in the area.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Superintendent's Update
The Benton Harbor Area Schools will be participating in the Michigan Constitution Day, as September 16^th has been declared Michigan Constitution Day by the State of Michigan.

The State of Michigan budget has been approved with some line items still being negotiated.  The proposed school state aid is $6,875 per child.

The District has a high enrollment of kindergarteners for the 2005-2006 school year and must seek additional space.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Freshman Academy has experienced a large student enrollment, and the issues of additional space and reduction of class sizes are being addressed.  However, the District is experiencing low enrollment of students in other grades and must consolidate smaller classrooms.

District student enrollment is higher than last year at this time, but lower than what was forecasted.  Per the projected enrollment for the 2005-2006 school year, approximately 80% of students have enrolled.

Public Participation
Mrs. Peggy Greer addressed the Board of Education inviting trustees to attend the proposed BHAS Middle School Constitution Day activities and solicited judges for the poster contest. 

Ms. Yuolanda Taylor addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns with overcrowding at the Freshman Academy.

Mr. Matthew Bradley addressed the Board of Education questioning prerequisite classes at the high school and the overcrowding at the Freshman Academy.  Mr. Bradley disseminated archival pictures of the BHHS marching band and asked if anything is being done about the liquor stores that are close in proximity of the high school.

Mrs. Nicole Garrett addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns with the Freshman Academy and stated that the teachers deserve a pay raise.

Mrs. Barbara Jackson addressed the Board of Education encouraging the Board to resolve the Master Teacher contract and to visit classrooms.  Mrs. Jackson stated that teachers are working hard in overcrowded conditions and spending their own money for supplies.

Mrs. Angelika MacGowan addressed that Board of Education stating that the Benton Harbor Education Association/MEA/NEA does accept the recent fact finder results.  Mrs. MacGowan encouraged the Board to settle the teacher contract, which includes resolving the 2005-2006 school calendar and professional development days.

Mr. Charles Pierce addressed that Board of Education stating that $50 was collected for the 1^st place Constitution Day poster contest winner.

Mrs. Helen Mitchell addressed the Board of Education in support of BHAS teachers stating that teachers are providing a great support network for students.

Board Comments
Trustee Bowman expressed his desire to settle the teacher contract and to work together to provide an excellent educational opportunity for students.  Mr. Bowman stated that the community would not support any proposed millage to build new schools if the District is not united.

Trustee Henry acknowledged that being a teacher is not an easy job and the District has both good and bad educators.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) scores are the lowest in every category and that is not acceptable performance.  Mr. Henry expressed his desire for the teacher contract to be settled, but also expects high-test scores and all buildings to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

Trustee Smith discussed her visit to school buildings and expressed her desire to settle the unresolved Master Teacher Labor Agreement.

There being no further business, the September regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 9:03 p.m.