President Carolyn Graves 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.

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

Absent: Ms. Michelle Jones

Communications
Expressions of gratitude have been received by the District from the families in remembrance of Mrs. Mary Buesing, Mrs. Joyce Leuty and Miss Lakesha Edwards.

Recognitions
Special recognition was extended to the BHAS students who participated in the Math Mania workshop that was hosted by the Berrien County Intermediate School District along with a special acknowledgment to the members of the DADS organization for their representation.

Central Administration
Superintendent Renee Williams reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a resolution against the voucher proposal. The proposed school voucher ballot initiative would amend the Michigan Constitution to eliminate the ban against providing state funds to support the attendance of any student at private or parochial schools and require a voucher for nonpublic school tuition for parents from a "qualified school district." A packet of information on the voucher proposal was disseminated to trustees.

Superintendent Williams reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the proposed Affirmative Action Policy Resolution, which was tabled at the regular September meeting to allow review by the policy committee. The intent of the proposed resolution was discussed and it was declared that the resolution only affirms, not supercedes, the District's Affirmative Action Policy.

Instruction
As an informational item, Greg Rood, middle school science trainer, BHAS student mentors, Imyn Burton, Aaron James, Shannon Jones and BCISD fine arts consultant, Elizabeth Andrews, presented a summary of the Summer "X" 2000 program and the newly developed Da Vinci Players program. Sixty-nine students attended the Summer "X" program three days a week participating in seven different lab investigations that engaged in math and science instruction. Eight Inner City Sail club members were trained in mentoring skills and were responsible for each "hands-on" lab investigation. Daily journals and debriefing sessions were held each day as to improve the mentor's instruction techniques.

The Da Vinci Players program is a student-mentoring program designed to teach the academic core curriculum through music, drama and dance. The students involved in the Summer "X" program wanted to continue teaching and mentoring fellow students. Thirty-one BHAS students are auditioning for roles designed to teach science curriculum. The five science lessons the players will try to teach while performing are waves theory, celestial bodies, phases of matter, electromagnetic spectrum and Newton's laws of forces. The Da Vinci Players will be performing at eight other Berrien County school districts and will incorporate students from those schools.

Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve and accept a donation to the Inner City Sail Club. Mr. Phillip Whitehead has donated a powerboat, dinghy, motors, trailer and assorted marine equipment, valued at approximately $7,100.

Assistant Superintendent Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2000-2001 Project Tiger. For several years the District has participated in a partnership with The Herald-Palladium that is titled Project Tiger, a Newspaper in Education (NIE) program that promotes student literacy and will involve students in grades 3-6 in four elementary schools: Hull, Sterne Brunson, Sorter and Fair Plain East. The District's cost for participation in this partnership literacy program will be $6,237. Ms. Maria Woolery, NIE Coordinator for The Herald-Palladium, was present to answer any questions.

Mr. Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a BHHS Drivers' Education program proposal with Bing's Driving School. Three proposals were submitted. Proposal A suggests opening a branch campus of Bing's Driving School at the Benton Harbor High School. The District would provide a classroom for instruction and be rebated $20.00 per session by Bing's for room usage. Students would pay the regular tuition rate of $350.00 for the course. Proposal B exactly mirrors proposal A except that the District would pay Bing's another $500.00 per session for rental of the drivers' education vehicle and the student tuition would be $125.00 for the course. The program proposals were presented to the Instruction and Curriculum Committee who endorsed proposal A - the branch campus concept. Following a lengthy discussion the Board of Education chose to endorse proposal A.

Mr. Richard Garrison reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the BHHS Black College Tour. Assistant Principal Edward Woods presented information on the yearly tour for seniors and juniors scheduled for November 6-10, 2000. Students are scheduled to visit Tennessee State University, Fisk University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, Tuskegee University, Alabama State University, Oakwood College and Alabama A & M University. The students will be chaperoned by four adults with a total cost per person of $325.

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

• Resignation of Professional Staff
• Other

Superintendent's Update
Superintendent Williams discussed her attendance and the benefits of meeting other colleagues at the recent Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) conference where all but one Michigan superintendent was present.

The Million Family March is scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C., on Monday, October 16, 2000.

Public Participation
Ms. Mary Jo Ogren addressed the Board of Education with concerns regarding the driver's education program proposal with Bing's Driving School. Ms. Ogren stated that if proposal A is adopted the students' monetary contribution is too high and the District's financial contribution is too low.

Board Comments
Dr. Peeples-Burks commended the students who participated in the Math Mania workshop. She also praised the HOSTS program as an excellent opportunity for mentoring.

Trustee Mitchell commented on his attendance at the recent Benton Harbor/St. Joseph varsity football game.

There being no further business, the October work session was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.