MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
OCTOBER 12, 2004

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

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

Also Present:  Student Board members Brianna Hill and Matthew Bradley

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the work session of September 7, 2004 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the Board retreat of September 11, 2004 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman that the Minutes of the regular meeting of September 14, 2004 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. McGinnis and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that vendor payments in the amount of $1,787,132.15 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Praise and recognition was extended to 4th - 8th grade math teachers for completing 2 weeks of summer certification training in a partnership program with the Berrien County Intermediate School District.  Each teacher received a certification of achievement.

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the following District Board Goals for the 2004-2005 school year.

2004-2005 DISTRICT BOARD 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.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Board policies:

DFL - Investment Earnings Income

DGA - Electronic Transactions of funds and Automated Clearing House Arrangements

ABCD - School Board Member Method of Election

be hereby adopted/added as policies of the School District and that any policy as listed be hereby rescinded.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially adopt the Resolution to Determine Adequate Funding, as prepared by the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA).

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT effective immediately 04-04-0022-FPMS, 04-04-0006-BHHS, 04-04-0007-FPMS and 04-04-0010-BHHS, be allowed to return as students in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT 05-04-055 not be allowed to return as a student in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.  The student may apply for readmittance to school at a later date.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mrs. Smith:

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

Tuesday, October 12, 2004 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, November 2, 2004 before, during 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.

Business/Finance
Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the resolution to establish a New Regular School Election Date, as prepared by the Thrun Law Firm.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve a one-year agreement with Careful Transit.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education renew its contract with Withrow Excavating and Construction of Benton Harbor, MI for the 2004-2005 snow removal season.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the one-year lease of North Shore School to Tri-County Council for Child Development (Head Start) for the 2004-2005 school year, according to the lease as prepared by legal counsel.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education authorize the Superintendent of Schools to enter into a one-year commitment with Cornerstone Energy for the purchase of natural gas, after the contract has been reviewed by the District's legal counsel.

The motion passed on the following vote:

AYES: Mr. Bowman  ABSTENTION: Mr. Henry
Dr. Peeples-Burks
Mrs. Smith
Mr. McGinnis
Dr. Davis
Mr. Woltman

Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mr. McGinnis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education amend its minimum asking price to $130,000.00 for the Fair Plain Northwest School, noting that the roof system is failing and in need of replacement.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the resolution establishing the Clinical Guidelines to be used as the School Nurses' Manual for the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Agreement with Lake Michigan College to provide an instructor for the BHAS Allied Health Careers Program.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #15
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Agreement with Enthusiastic Software at a cost of $12,500.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #16
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the resignation of Mr. Bruce Clapp and that a letter be sent to him acknowledging the acceptance of his resignation.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #17
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. McGinnis:

THAT Ms. Anita Burton has failed to give the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education notice of intent to discontinue her services at least 60 days before September 1st of the ensuing school year.  Therefore, Anita Burton's resignation has been received and accepted, but without consent of the Board of Education.  Ms. Burton forfeits her rights to continuing tenure previously acquired under the Michigan Teacher's Tenure Act, pursuant to Article V, Section 1, of the Act MCL §38.111.

The motion passed on the following vote:

AYES: Mr. Bowman  NAYS: Mr. Henry
Dr. Peeples-Burks
Mrs. Smith
Mr. McGinnis
Dr. Davis
Mr. Woltman

Staff Report #18
Staff Report #18 was removed from the agenda.

Staff Report #19
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approves the reduction of eighteen teacher positions and authorizes the "pink slips" notification to the appropriate teachers.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #20
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following grants and donations to the District for the 2004-2005 school year.

An amended motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following grants and donations to the District for the 2004-2005 school year.

The amended motion passed by unanimous vote.

Superintendent's Update
Student enrollment is down and is affecting all surrounding Districts, except Coloma their enrollment is up.  Since student count day BHAS enrollment has increased and the influx could be due to other Districts holding students to be released until after the count day or that families are moving.

Parents and staff were encouraged to be aware of students wearing "sex bracelets" a new inappropriate communication style.  Additional information on sex bracelets can be found on the Internet at website www.sexbracelet.com.

A Public Hearing for the proposal to close Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 19, 2004, at Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School.  A 212-student, more-than-anticipated drop in this fall’s enrollment, coupled with a previously forecast deficit budget, has led to a recommendation that the Benton Harbor Area Schools must reduce expenditures by almost $1.25 million this fiscal year.  Proposed budget cuts include closing Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School and the elimination of 22 teaching and other positions throughout the district.

Public Participation
Mrs. Lisa Peeples-Hurst addressed the Board of Education questioning if the total number of staff lay-off include the 18 positions proposed tonight.

Ms. Debra Burkhard and Ms. Sharon Russell addressed the Board of Education presenting 10 reasons why to keep Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School open.

Board Comments
Trustee Davis stated that the District would look at all possible options before any decisions are made to reduce expenditures.

Student Board member Bradley commended Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School for offering an excellent special education department and a great teaching staff.

Trustee Bowman extended his appreciation to the math teachers for furthering their math knowledge.

Trustee Peeples-Burks encouraged the community to attend the public hearing scheduled for October 19, 2004, and sited the "Do You Remember - 35 years ago" column in the October 11th issue of The Herald-Palladium that remembers Ms. Ann Kennedy, liaison officer, presenting to a BHAS kindergarten class.

Trustee Henry welcomed student Board members and encouraged the staff and community to attend the October 19th public hearing.

Trustee Smith expressed her concerns with the budget deficit stating that budget reductions are difficult decisions.  She commended the staff and students for the wonderful BHAS homecoming event and the math teachers for furthering their skills.

Trustee Woltman stated that student enrollment is down and Fair Plain Northeast Elementary School has the lowest number of enrolled students.  The Board is not picking favorites with any of the buildings and this decision is very difficult, but the bottomline is lack of funding.

There being no further business, the October regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.