MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
OCTOBER 5, 2004

President Ken Woltman called the October Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mr. Ken Woltman, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Robert L. Bowman and Mr. Dan McGinnis

Absent:  Mr. Anthony Henry and Dr. Perry Davis

Recognitions
Benton Harbor High School seniors Breanna Hill and Matthew Bradley were welcomed as student Board members for the 2004-2005 school year.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to officially adopt the 2004-2005 BHAS District Board Goals.  On September 11, 2004, the Board of Education established the following goals:

  1. Continue increased academic performance at a greater level than the prior year.
  2. Improve student retention.
  3. Continue sound fiscal management and operation improvement.
  4. Increase parental involvement.
  5. Continue emphasis on staff development and professional excellence. 

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve District policy revisions.  A recommendation has been made by the Policy Committee to revise the following policies:

DFL – Investment Earnings Income

DGA – Electronic Transactions of Funds and Automated Clearing House Arrangements

ABCD – School Board Member Method of Election

Dr. Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) Resolution to Determine Adequate Funding.  The Resolution requests the State Board of Education to commission a statewide study on the financial requirements of public education utilizing qualified experts who use methodologies acceptable to the State Board, the Legislature and the Governor.  The study will investigate funding requirements in two distinct areas - from birth up to kindergarten and from kindergarten through grade 12.

Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the readmission of students to school.  Petitions have been made to the Board of Education for readmittance to school.  According to Board Policy JBG, the Petition Review Committee met and recommended that four students be allowed to return as students in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the non-readmission of one student to Benton Harbor Area Schools.  The student may reapply for admittance to school at a later date.

Business and Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the Resolution to Establish a New Regular School Election Date, as prepared by Thrun Law Firm.  Recently enacted legislation requires School Boards to determine a regular election date from dates authorized with the statute.

Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a one-year agreement with Careful Transit to provide special transportation services for children in various education programs in the State of Michigan.

Operations & Facilities
Group Director for Operations & Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the contract renewal for snow plowing with Withrow Excavating.  Withrow was awarded the contract in 2002, with two one-year renewal options.  This is the second year of the renewal option.

Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the lease renewal with Tri-County Council for Child Development (Headstart).  They have leased North Shore School from the District for a number of years.  Tri-County pays $500.00 per month rent, and is responsible for maintenance and repair of the facility.

Group Director Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve entering into a contract with Cornerstone Energy for natural gas purchases at cost savings to the District.  Cornerstone Energy purchases natural gas in bulk and is able to sell it to businesses at a lower purchase price than local gas companies, such as Aquila.  There would be no interruption in services to the District, as the gas would be delivered in the same manner as in the past, with the only difference being a cost reduction.

Group Director for Operations & Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the reduction of the minimum asking price for Fair Plain Northwest School.  The property has been on the market for approximately six months with no offers.  The roof is deteriorating and will need to be replaced soon.  By reducing the price to $130,000.00, and noting that the roof system is failing could help expedite sale of the property.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Instruction Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the resolution to establish the Clinical Guidelines Manual as the BHAS Health Services Department Procedural Manual.  The Health Services Department would be responsible for reviewing and updating the manual annually.  Coordinator of Health Services, Veronica Spencer was present and provided background information on the Clinical Guidelines Manual and answered any questions.

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Instruction J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the contractual agreement between BHAS and Lake Michigan College to provide an instructor for the Allied Health Careers courses being taught at the Career Technical Center.  Director of Career/Technical Education Carole Fetke was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve an agreement with Enthusiastic Software for the use of software to support the K-8 student assessment system and the K-5 report cards.

As an informational item, Fair Plain Middle School will present the Governance Report at the November work session.

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:

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

Other
Vice President Smith reminded everyone that BHHS Homecoming is Friday, October 8, and asked all to come out and support the Tigers.

Trustee Peeples-Burks expressed her concerns regarding the marching band competition next week stating that the BHHS marching band should not be on the field performing under the present circumstances.

Student Board member Breanna Hill commented that the BHHS marching band should be allowed to attend the festival and perform, but not be judged.  Breanna stated that there are approximately 80 students who have worked very hard with the guest band instructor and should be given the opportunity to perform.

A hit and run accident was reported today near Broadway Avenue involving a Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School student and luckily the child was treated and released from the hospital.

Superintendent’s Update
A judgment has been made regarding the issue of discrimination in girl's athletics that ruled in favor of the plaintiff.  The District could be forced into an unfunded expense as the current athletic facilities do not allow for both male and female sports to practice and play at the same time.

The New Edventures Academy at Hull Middle School is experiencing some start-up challenges, and the District and members of ChildNet are working together to help solve those issues.

On September 29, a workshop was held in Muskegon, MI, to provide current information on State Department of Education requirements.

A preliminary interview has been scheduled with a candidate for the band director position who is a Benton Harbor High School graduate and currently holds a band director position in Washington, D.C.  There is a current shortage of band directors who teach the hi-stepping style, such as performed by the BHHS marching band.

The resignation of the CAA/G&T principal is effective October 1, 2004, and an interim principal has been secured for that school.

A special budget committee meeting was held on Wednesday, September 29, to discuss student loss projections.  Several factors were discussed that could affect BHAS attendance such as Schools of Choice, the opening of an additional charter school and Bosch Corporation employee layoffs.  Budget concerns also included proposed increases in employee health benefits for 2004-2005 school year.

Fair Plain Middle School’s ribbon-cutting ceremony showcased the media center and summer renovations that were made possible due to the millage revenue.  An article in the September 29th issue of The Herald Palladium did a nice job highlighting the millage funding accomplishments.

Appreciation was extended to Villa Environmental Consultants, Inc. for providing tickets for BHAS Board trustees to attend the Cornerstone Alliance Annual Steak-Fry outing.

Superintendent Paula Dawning taped an interview for the Bertha King Show that aired 7:00 a.m. Sunday, October 3.

Public Participation
Mrs. Lisa Peeples-Hurst addressed the Board of Education questioning the procedure for those parents who have concerns regarding BHHS staff members. 

Mr. Isaiah Newson addressed the Board of Education welcoming the 2004-2005 student board members and requested copies of the Board goals and policy revisions.

Ms. Karen Banks and Ms. Edwina Taylor addressed the Board of Education presenting a check in the amount of $300.00, on behalf of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Del-Teens, to the Performing Arts Center for stage updates.

Board Comments
Student Board member Matthew Bradley extended his appreciation for being selected as one of the 2004-2005 student Board members and also gave thanks for the hiring of Mr. Roseboro, Principal of Benton Harbor High School.

Trustee McGinnis commended the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for their work with the Del-Teens.

Trustee Bowman welcomed the two student Board members and commended them for their positive attitudes toward the Benton Harbor High School marching band.

Trustee Peeples-Burks welcomed the two student Board members and commended the Del-Teens for their community labors.

Trustee Smith welcomed the student board members and extended praise to Benton Harbor High School Principal Dimitric Roseboro for doing a good job.

There being no further business, the October work session was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.