MINUTES OF
THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
OCTOBER 3, 2006
President Dan McGinnis called the October Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.
Present: Mr. Dan McGinnis, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman, Ms. Lue Buchana and Mrs. Iris Watts
Absent: Mrs. Carolyn Fort and Mr. Anthony Henry
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps JROTC offered the Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Recognitions
Trustee Buchana asked the Board of Education to sponsor a “Rising Star” program
for staff and students. Each month staff and students would be recognized for
jobs well done. Recognized tonight for excellent job performance were: Mary
Singer, Lou Harvey, Cullen Walton and George Kesterke.
National School Lunch Week October 9-13, 2006
Central Administration
As an informational item, Cornerstone Alliance
Executive Vice President, Wendy Dant Chesser and Gloria Ender, Owner of Freedom
Finishing gave a presentation to inform voters on the proposed upcoming
Southwest Michigan Regional Airport millage.
The airport contributes more than $14-million dollars to the local economy, according to the latest economic impact report conducted by the Michigan Department of Transportation.
50 people are directly employed at the airport by area businesses for flight operations.
Local employers such as UPS, Lakeland Regional Health System, Cook Nuclear Plant, Modar Inc, Lowe's, Best Buy, Modern Plastics, Fiskars Inc, IPC Print Services, The Herald-Palladium Newspaper, Kalin Construction, and many others use the airport routinely.
Annually, more than 400 companies from all over the U.S. and Canada fly their aircraft into Southwest Michigan Regional Airport. The airport is an essential link to global markets for the 60 privately owned aircraft housed there and several corporate aircraft including the fleet of Whirlpool Corporation.
The 28.9-million dollar planned airport runway safety improvements will bring our airport up to Federal Aviation Administration standards by 2015. The FAA is paying for 95-percent of the costs of that project; the state of Michigan and our airport are splitting the remaining 5-percent. Without the millage, our communities could lose more than $28-million dollars in grants.
Significant Community
Benefits
SW Michigan Regional Airport is the only
all-weather airport in the tri-county region of Berrien, Cass and Van Buren
Counties.
Emergency medical transportation uses the airport for patient transfer and critical re-fueling.
The airport serves as a coordinating location for emergency and rescue personnel engaged in Homeland Security.
The airport enables us to bring national and international business prospects directly to our region.
The airport gives us a competitive edge in the site selection process against other regions and other states for professional service companies and industrial locations.
Just like police and fire protection, the airport is a part of public infrastructure that supports the growth of the community.
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve one student readmission for the 2006-2007 school year.
Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve District policy additions/revisions. The Policy Committee has made a recommendation to add/revise the following policies:
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt a K-16 Initiative resolution in support of Proposal 5. The K-16 Coalition for Michigan’s Future has introduced legislation (Proposal 5) for the 2006 November election for the benefit of the public education community and all public education students in the State of Michigan. Proposal 5 is designed to even state dollars between high and low funded districts.
Superintendent Dawning discussed the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative Proposal 2, which would amend the Michigan Constitution by adding a new Section 25 to Article I that would prohibit state and local government from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to any individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the areas of public employment, public contracting and public education.
President Dan McGinnis volunteered to serve as the Legislative Relations Network (LRN) representative.
President McGinnis reported that at a special Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education meeting held on September 30, 2006, the 2006-2007 Board of Education District Goals were established as follows:
District Board Goals for the 2006-2007 school year:
Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and
Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the
regular meeting to approve an additional 403 (b) Plan Provider. A request has
been received from the Benton Harbor Education Association that Transamerica
Idex Mutual Funds be added as an authorized 403 (b) Plan provider for payroll
deduction.
Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Careful Transit, Inc. Agreement. Careful Transit, Inc. has offered a one-year contract to provide special transportation services for children in various educational programs who are attending schools in the State of Michigan.
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a Northshore Space Group, Inc., lease agreement. The District is in need for additional storage space for extra equipment and furniture from the restructuring of the high school.
Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the purchase of the Point of Sale (POS) System for food service operations. The Accuscan Point of Sale System was installed in the high school and middle schools last year and there is a need to expand this system into the elementary schools at a cost of $42,734.00.
Human Resources/Labor Relations
In the absence of Assistant Superintendent for
Human Resources/Labor Relations Nora Jefferson, Superintendent Paula Dawning
reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve
the following:
President Dan McGinnis publicly announced his apology to the Human Resources Department for his past unfair judgment of that department.
Consent
Board action will be requested at the regular
meeting to accept the following donations/grants to the Benton Harbor Area
Schools:
Superintendent’s Update
The Benton Harbor Area Schools student
enrollment is below the projected student enrollment count.
The District did not receive the Federal Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) grant for the 2006-2007 school year.
The McREL Research Group creates how to achieve higher education data. Research shows that educational achievement is directly tied to parental involvement. The Education Trust Data track many groups, elementary, secondary and curriculum alignment. Four schools in the Benton Harbor Area Schools have partnered with Michigan Coalition of Educational Leadership, Western Michigan University in a Wallace Foundation Project. Benton Harbor, Flint, Grand Rapids and Lansing School Districts are involved in this project designed to improve student achievement through principal leadership in data driven decision-making.
Currently the District has job vacancies for paraprofessionals, bus drivers and sub security guards.
Public Participation
Mr. Tyrone Porter addressed the Board of Education
questioning why he has been relieved of his high school junior varsity football
coaching duties, as a result of a misdemeanor charge.
Student Trenton Bowens addressed the Board of Education expressing his concerns with high school students’ class schedules, stating that high school Deans are unaware of how to handle special education students.
Student Candice Walker addressed the Board of Education stating that the high school Deans and counselors are working very hard and difficulties come when students change their schedules to be with their friends.
Students Mike Lee, Christian Clark and Tyrone Porter addressed the Board of Education in support of Tyrone Porter as the high school junior varsity football coach.
Mr. Leonard Seawood addressed the Board of Education on behalf of the Band of Brothers in Christ, whose mission is to improve the education and economic status of the City of Benton Harbor. The Band of Brothers in Christ would like to work with BH City Commissioners and the Board of Education in support of Benton Harbor youth. The group meets 7:00 a.m. Saturday mornings at 420 Pipestone and encouraged all men to participate.
Board Comments
Trustee Buchana commended the students for the
comments tonight and encouraged parents to stay involved with their children’s
education.
Trustee Watts expressed her excitement with the mission of the Band of Brothers in Christ and suggested Stump Academy as a place they could start working with youth.
Trustee Smith encouraged Board trustees to take CBA classes offered by the Michigan Association of School Boards to educate and update on issues facing school districts.
Trustee McGinnis gave praise to the Band of Brothers in Christ for their efforts. Mr. McGinnis stated that the BHAS Chess Club is seeking volunteers and reminded people to turn off their cell phones during the meeting.
There being no further business, the October work session was adjourned at 7:06 p.m.