MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
OCTOBER 4, 2005

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.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Dan McGinnis, Mr. Anthony Henry, Dr. Perry Davis, Mr. Ken Woltman, Mr. Robert L. Bowman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps JROTC offered the Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Recognitions
Two BHAS administrators, Andrew Stansberry and Wilma Arnold, were commended for their participation in a consortium principal leadership-training institute at Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA).  Dr. Mark Rainey, Director of KRESA, presented each participant with a Merchant of Hope prism.

Recognition was given to Benton Harbor Police Officers Bernard Hall and Jared Graves, who are also BHAS School Resource Officers, for receiving a Community Policing Award from the Neighborhood Association of Michigan for their work in District and with city residents.

Central Administration
As an informational item, Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that the District has entered into an agreement with WBHC-LP 96.5 FM for radio broadcast coverage of Benton Harbor High School football and basketball games for the 2005-2006 school year.

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be required at the regular meeting to approve a Careful Transit, Inc. agreement.  Careful Transit, Inc. has offered a one-year contract, August 24, 2005 – June 30, 2006, to provide special transportation services for children in various educational programs who are attending schools in the State of Michigan.

Operations/Facilities
Operations and Facilities Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the sale of Board declared surplus property located at 150 W. Empire, Benton Harbor, MI to Mr. Curtis Young for a purchase price of $800.00.

Operations and Facilities Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the awarding of the 2005 snow removal bid.  On September 21, 2005, the District received three bids from local companies.  After Board discussion it was determined that the request to approve the snow removal bid be removed from the October agenda for the purpose of obtaining additional information.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Instruction J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be required at the regular meeting to approve the Project ALERT Program.  Project ALERT is a drug prevention curriculum for middle school students 11 to 14 years old, which dramatically reduces both the onset of substance abuse and their regular use.  The 2-year, 14 lesson program focuses on the substances that adolescents are most likely to use: alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and inhalants.  Middle grade students are a group vulnerable to social influences, but not yet heavy users of drugs.  The goal of Project ALERT is to reduce the use of those dangerous substances by keeping nonusers from trying them and by preventing nonusers and experimenters from becoming regular users.  There is no charge to the District for this program as offered by the Berrien County Health Department.  Berrien County Health Department representatives Lisa Peeples-Hurst and Shannon Burton were present to discuss the program.

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

• Recall of Professional Staff

• Employment of Professional Staff

• Possible Layoff of Professional Staff

Consent
Board action will be requested at the regular meeting to accept the following donations/grants to the Benton Harbor Area Schools:

• Fifty (50) Supply Filled Book Bags Donation From Mel Hines, Whirlpool Corp. to the Elementary Division

• $85.08 Donation from TARGET Take Charge of Education Program to Fair Plain West Elementary

• $300 Donation from First Congregational Church Mary Martha Circle for Student Uniforms for Hurricane Katrina Victims

• $275 Donation from SJ/BH Rotary for Katrina Relief Fund

• $100 Donation from Jackie and Mike Huie for Katrina Relief Fund

• $25 Donation from Lori and Patrick Marciniak for Katrina Relief Fund

Other
Trustees were reminded to arrive at 5:45 p.m. prior to the regular meeting to tour the newly renovated BHHS boy’s locker room.  Staff and community residents were invited to attend the locker room ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, October 13, 2005.

Parents were encouraged to attend Morton Elementary School’s Donuts for Dads at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 12^th and Muffins for Moms at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, October 13^th.

Superintendent’s Update
During the past 2 weeks the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has received bomb threats geared toward Berrien County school districts.    The Sheriff’s Department is actively working to identify the caller, as the calls have been isolated coming from a cell phone.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will audit the District regarding the emergency evacuation plan.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools District is located between 2 nuclear plants resulting in BHAS buildings being used as emergency shelters in the event of a crisis.

The unaudited 4^th Wednesday student count showed an actual enrollment of 4159 students, which is 226 less students than the projected enrollment of 4385.  The decline of 226 students is approximately $1.5 million loss in state aid revenue.

All is well for Benton Harbor High School Class of 2005 Salutatorian, Audrey Thomas, who is attending the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

District educational concerns are being addressed, books have been ordered and teachers are being interviewed for the BHHS Freshman Academy.

A state grant has been jointly awarded to the Berrien County Health Department and the Riverwood Center to aid in the welfare of Benton Harbor Area Schools youth.

Due to hurricanes Rita and Katrina consumers can expect to see a price increase of 10-15% for the use of electricity and gas.

In an attempt to clarify budget expenses, Superintendent Dawning and Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo presented the District budget costs via a PowerPoint presentation.  The presentation included information on student enrollment, insurance coverage cost increases, retirement cost increases and out-of-pocket employee costs for other districts in providing insurance to employees.

Public Participation
Mr. James Childs addressed the Board of Education questioning the lost and found of District funds and the start of the 2005-06 school year without sufficient books.  Mr. Childs commended the locker room renovation and expressed his concerns with the teachers working without an employment contract. 

Mr. Robert Bruce addressed the Board of Education asking where is the recognition for the teachers who work in the District and asked if the public was going to receive a breakdown of management team salaries and health insurance costs.

Mr. Isaiah Newson addressed the Board of Education expressing his concerns with the District’s leadership and the exhibited body language of various management team members at Board meetings.  Mr. Newson requested a copy of the District’s budget and FEMA plan.

Board Comments
Trustee Henry encouraged all to attend this Friday’s tailgate fundraiser at Bears stadium during St. Joseph’s homecoming football game against Benton Harbor.  Mr. Henry also discussed the importance of accountability in the chain of command.

Trustee McGinnis expressed his support of the teachers and his concerns with District accountability and organization.  The BH Chess Club has partnered with Sunrise Rotary and sign-ups are now available.

There being no further business, the October work session was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.