The October regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Dwight P. Mitchell at 6:05 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the work session of September 4, 2001 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the regular meeting of September 18, 2001 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Mrs. Robinson and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of September 22, 2001 be approved as printed.

THAT the Board of Education, Benton Harbor Area Schools, meet in closed session on the following dates:

Tuesday, October 9, 2001 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on

that date, and
Tuesday, November 6, 2001 before and/or following
the work session of the Board of Education on that date,

at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area, 870 Colfax Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan, in said District for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel litigations, negotiations and possible expulsions.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accepts and acknowledges the generosity of a grant in the amount of $1,500.00 from the Fredrick S. Upton Foundation to the Henry C. Morton Elementary School.

THAT Lieutenant Colonel Robert McIlhargie's retirement be acknowledged and accepted and a letter be sent to him thanking him for the services he provided to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

THAT the following individuals be employed as professional teaching staff by the Benton Harbor Area Schools:

THAT the following individuals be granted tenure:

Recognition was extended to the BHHS athletes and marching band members for their excellent performance during the homecoming game.

An endowment fund has been established with the Berrien Community Foundation for BH students and a start-up committee has been put in place to solicit alumni.

Ms. Cheryl Melvin addressed the Board offering her support and assistance with the District employee bargaining units.

Mr. Corey Hampton addressed the Board expressing his concerns regarding the recent employee lay-offs in the District.

Mr. Johnny Edwards addressed the Board expressing his concerns regarding the District's financial condition.

Mr. Chester Henry addressed the Board stating that the community would pass bond to build new schools if parents felt that their children were receiving a quality education.

Mr. Jeff Johnson addressed the Board and asked members of the audience to stand who pay district taxes and to remain standing if they want a 10% increase in their taxes for the purpose of building new schools - resulting in half of the audience sitting down.

Mr. Willie Morrow addressed the Board expressing transportation issues and the unsettled District service employees' contract.

Mr. Ernest Booth addressed the Board encouraging all District employees whose children attend BHAS to enroll their children elsewhere if they lose their jobs.

Mr. Michael Blanks addressed the Board requesting information on District income and expenditures and expressed his concerns as a student at BHHS.

Trustee Peeples-Burks stated that she attended the Indianapolis Circle City Classic band concert on Saturday and praised the BHHS Tiger Marching Band for their excellent performance. Dr. Peeples-Burks discussed the District's financial cuts, which were asked for by the Board of Education as a result of the community-vetoing previous program and building consolidation attempts and the bond issue to build new schools.

Trustee Smith praised the BHHS Tigers football team for an outstanding performance in Friday night's football game and encouraged the community to come together to pass a needed bond to build new school buildings.

Trustee Henry explained that the Michigan Department of Education has cut public school funding across the state, which has resulted in 6% financial cuts in BHAS.

Trustee Mitchell commended the BHHS athletes for their excellent game played on Friday night. Mr. Mitchell explained that student enrollment is on an upswing but budget restrains still remain and the State of Michigan will not allow any Districts to operate with a deficit, which results in budget cuts.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel possible student expulsions.

Neither student nor parent was present.

THAT Cornell Morris be expelled for the remainder of the first semester of the 2001-2002 school year from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for violations of the Uniform Code of Discipline. The conditions of the expulsion will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

BHHS student Nickolas Powell and his parent, Sheila Powell, were present and requested a closed hearing.

THAT the expulsion recommendation for Nickolas Powell be rescinded, per contract conditions. Any contract violations will warrant in an expulsion for the remainder of the first semester.

BHHS student Deandre' Travis and his parent, Janet Travis, were present and requested an open hearing.

THAT the expulsion recommendation for Deandre' Travis be rescinded, per contract conditions. Any contract violations will warrant in an expulsion for the remainder of the first semester.

Neither student nor parent was present.

THAT Cory Johnson be permanently expelled from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for a period of not less than 180 school days for a violation of the Uniform Code of Discipline. The conditions of the expulsion will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

BHHS student Domanika Sims and her parent, Linda Stewart, were present and requested an open hearing.

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Domanika Sims be permanently expelled from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for a period of not less than 180 school days for violations of the Uniform Code of Discipline and Section 1311(a) of the Michigan Revised School Code. The conditions of the expulsion will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.