The October regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Carolyn Graves at 6:12 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

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

Absent: Mrs. Annie Robinson and Ms. Michelle Jones

Minutes
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the work session of September 5, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the regular meeting of September 12, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of September 15, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith that vendor payments in the amount of $1,881,303.35 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Activity of the General Fund was reviewed and accepted as presented.

Recognitions
Members of the BHHS Marching Band were commended for winning 2^nd place in the Circle City of Bands competition held in Indianapolis on October 7, 2000.

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially declares its opposition to the proposed initiative on school vouchers.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially re-present the tabled the Resolution confirming the District's affirmation to the Affirmative Action Policy.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially approve and adopt the amended Resolution confirming the District's affirmation to the Affirmative Action Policy.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

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

Tuesday, October 10, 2000 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on that date, and

Tuesday, November 7, 2000 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.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of the donation of boats, motors and assorted marine equipment, valued at approximately $7,100, to the Inner City Sail Club by Mr. Phillip Whitehead of Stevensville, Michigan.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the District's participation for the 2000-2001 school year in the "Project Tiger" student literacy program in partnership with The Herald-Palladium for four elementary schools at a cost of $6,237.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education authorize its Superintendent or her designee to enter into an Agreement with Bing's Driving School of St. Joseph, Michigan, to offer drivers' education training on the campus of Benton Harbor High School for the 2000-2001 school year at no cost to the District. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be reviewed and approved by the Board's general legal counsel.

The motion passed on the following vote:

Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially approve and sanction this year's Black College Tour sponsored by Benton Harbor High School from November 6 through November 10, 2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT Ms. Jennifer Altman's employment be terminated effective immediately.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Board Comments
Trustee Mitchell expressed his enthusiasm that the drivers' education program would be offered to BHAS students and suggested that the parent State reimbursement letter be sent directly to the student's home. He also questioned the status of a building use request at Fair Plain Junior High School.

Trustee Dr. Peeples-Burks made reference to an article as published in the current addition of the School Law Notes regarding closed meetings.

Trustee Woltman stated that the District should stand firm against employee misconduct or inappropriate behavior.

There being no further business, the October regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.