President J. Allene Smith called the October work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:05 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Trustee Peeples-Burks read a letter from Joyce and Dick Benefiel that applauded BHAS for an informational meeting for BHHS students who received a scholarship to Michigan State University.

Ms. Dawning read a letter from a neighbor of the Fair Plain West Elementary School that praised the students who participated in a 9/11 tribute by singing through the streets.

Praise and recognition was extended to the 2002 BHHS Homecoming Queen Talitha Yarbrough, and 2002 Homecoming King Gabriel Bridgman.

Congratulations to Morton teacher, Carla Smith-Howe, for being chosen as Teacher of the Month by Forever Books.

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to officially adopt the BHAS student dress and grooming standards. Guidelines have been set forth for student dress based upon safety and health considerations and a concern for promoting the educational activities within the school. School attire must not be disruptive to classroom instruction or school-connected activities. It is the District's intent to have a uniform standard of dress designated for all students attending the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Ms. Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to officially adopt the 2002-2003 BHAS District Board goals. On July 27, 2002, the Board of Education established the following goals:

Establishment of an alternative program.

Improve student achievement by 15%.

Decrease student dropout rate by 10%.

Consistency in the administration of the Uniform Code of Discipline and Students’ Rights and Responsibilities.

Establish a dress standard for students and staff.

Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the contractual agreement between BHAS and Lake Michigan College for contracted instructors. The purpose of the agreement is to ensure certified instructors at the BHAS Career Technical Center for the Cisco Networking Academy, Certified Webmaster and one section of the Teacher Cadet Academy. Total cost is $67,541 and will be paid out of the instructional funds. The term of the agreement is August 2002 through June 2003.

In an effort to ensure Trustee visibility at all buildings, Superintendent Dawning discussed and disseminated to the Board of Education the 2002-2003 building assignments.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to accept and acknowledge a donation of 17 adjustable stools for use in the BHHS art room from Bibco, Inc., valued at $170.00.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to accept and acknowledge a grant from the Fredrick S. Upton Foundation to the Creative Arts Academy in the amount of $6,500 for the Visiting Artist and Artists-In-Residence Program.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to accept and acknowledge a grant from the Fredrick S. Upton Foundation in the amount of $1,500 to provide enrichment field trip activities for Morton School kindergarten students.

• Hiring of Professional Staff
• Tenure of Professional Staff
• Ratification of BHAS Administrators Association Labor Agreement
• Other

Superintendent Dawning reported that each month a BHAS school building would be presenting to the Board of Education the good things that are happening in their respective buildings.

Former principal, Virginia Maxwell and staff presented highlights of Henry C. Morton Elementary School, which included information on their Continuous Progress and Accelerated Readers programs, community partnerships and that 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students have read 2076 books to date. This year an extended day program is available to 4^th and 5^th grade students. Henry C. Morton's web page is now accessible on the District's web site.

As an informational item, Middle Cities Education Association, Executive Director, Ray Telman, presented information on the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was imposed at the federal level and implemented into law January 2002. Since 1965, federal legislation has focused on 3 main areas: accountability, adequate yearly progress (AYP) and qualified teachers. Michigan's current method of determining AYP requires schools to show that at least 75 percent of students taking the MEAP ranked in the proficient category in all four subject areas of the assessment.

Failure to meet the 75 percent benchmark in one category means failure to make AYP. According to NCLB, schools that fail to make AYP for at least two years in a row face sanctions.

Districts that receive Title I funds must notify parents that they may request information regarding the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. The District will provide parents with information on request and in a timely manner.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools District website is up and running, which includes building information, Board minutes and polices, the Department of Education, news and events, employment opportunities, parent and student information and an alumni section.

BHAS Creative Learning Center opened today at the Workforce Skills Development Center with 29 of 49 students enrolled in attendance.

The BHAS 2001-2002 year-end audit will be concluded this week.

The recently held Governor's Educational Summit primarily focused on the No Child Left Behind Act.

The Michigan Association School Administrators (MASA) fall conference focused on early childhood, key indicators of social economic factors and high-risk children.

According to the NCLB Act, School Districts are no longer required to spend a specified amount of money on bilingual education. Districts may select any method they deem best for teaching limited English proficient students (LEP), but existing programs must emphasize the teaching of English to LEP students.

Michigan tobacco legislation will impact education.

Governor Engler has imposed legislation for the consolidation of administration with local municipalities.

North Central Accreditation has contacted the District and identified Henry C. Morton Elementary School as a high technology school.

The implementation of GASB Statement Number 34 will be implemented for the fiscal year 2002-2003. According to the new rules of accounting policies for school districts, the Board of Education must approve a capitalization threshold for assets with an expected life of more than one year. In consultation with the District’s auditing firm, Plante & Moran, the business office has determined the threshold to be $5,000.00.

Superintendent Dawning discussed the Take The MEAP Test implemented by the Department of Education, which is designed for community residents or interested parties to experience what the students face in taking the MEAP.

Mrs. Etta Harper addressed the Board of Education commending the District for their support in the Hull Park celebration.

Ms. Anita Turner addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns that the BHHS Spanish class is not providing textbooks to the students.

Trustee Henry commended the official opening day of the BHAS Creative Learning Center.

Trustee Mitchell stated his appreciation for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) informational update.

Trustee Peeples-Burks expressed her amazement at the recent Benton Township voter turnout and voiced her concerns with the community not passing the additional police millage.