MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
NOVEMBER 1, 2005

President J. Allene Smith called the November 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, Dr. Perry Davis, Mr. Anthony Henry, 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.

Communications
Trustee Davis read a public invitation to attend a seminar on Saturday, November 5, 2005, at the Richard Hunt Studio in Benton Harbor. 

Trustee Davis read an invitation to attend the Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School Art Dance Program scheduled for Wednesday, November 2, 2005.

Recognitions
Recognition was given to Benton Harbor High School students Samantha Gunter and Trenton Bowens for being chosen as student Board of Education members for the 2005-2006 school year.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be required at the regular meeting to approve District policy revisions.  The Policy Committee has made a recommendation to revise/add the following policies:

• ABCDB – School Board Election Arrangements
• BCBI (also KCA) – Public Participation in School Board Meetings
• GAH – Official Communications – new

After trustee discussion Board policy BCBI (Also KCA) - Public Participation in School Board Meetings was pulled from the agenda to be additionally reviewed by the Policy Committee.

Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be required at the regular meeting to approve the 2005-2006 Board of Education expulsion hearing panel schedule.

On December 14, 2004, the Board of Education approved the establishment of Policy JDE – Student Discipline/Expulsion. The Board of Education reserves to itself the authority to order the expulsion from school of a student guilty of rape, robbery, arson or possession of a dangerous weapon, or any other offense requiring mandatory expulsion of a student.  All other expulsions of a student guilty of a gross misdemeanor or other persistent disobedience, when in its judgment the interest of the school may demand said action, the Board delegates said authority to the Expulsion Hearing Panel.  The Expulsion Hearing Panel shall follow all of the policies of the School District that the Board of Education is compelled to follow when deciding expulsion cases. 

Members of the Expulsion Hearing Panel shall be appointed by the School Board for a monthly term and shall consist of three members of the Board of Education.  The remaining members of the Board of Education shall serve as alternates when a regular member is unavailable to serve.  A member of the Board of Education shall serve as chairperson of the Hearing Panel and conduct the hearings.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to award the District snow removal contract for the 2005-2006 school year.  Two formal bids were received and opened on October 25, 2005 for snow removal from twenty school sites. 

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Michigan Coalition of Essential Schools resolution.  The Michigan Coalition of Essential Schools has been assisting Henry C. Morton Elementary School with its school improvement efforts and requires Board approval for the operating Agreement with the District.  The cost for this program has been fully funded through a grant from the Michigan Department of Education.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve an abstinence based, comprehensive sexuality education series for middle and high school students.  Planned Parenthood Mid-Michigan Alliance would like to conduct sex education classes for the students at Hull Middle School, Fair Plain Renaissance Center and Benton Harbor High School for the 2005-2006 school year.  The abstinence based, comprehensive sexuality education series will strive to educate students on human sexuality and the possible consequences of early and/or uninformed sexual activity.  This instruction will arm students with the necessary tools to successfully remain abstinent and make healthy, responsible decisions in interpersonal relationships.

Planned Parenthood would provide two instructors who would give instruction during regular health classes at no cost to the District.  Coordinator of Health Services Veronica Spencer and Planned Parenthood representative John Keserich were present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Michigan School Readiness Grant resolution.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools applied for a Michigan School Readiness Program grant from the Michigan Department of Education to fund Early Childhood Programs including the four-year-old preschool program.  The amount of the grant is $528,000.00, to provide half-day preschool sessions for 160 students, comprehensive parent involvement and educational programs for all families of children 0-5 years of age.

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

• Resignation of Professional Staff
• Recall of Professional Staff
• Employment 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:

• $3000 Mini-Grant from the National Center for Disease Control
• $1000 Donation from Tim Quinn and Michelle Keith for Scholarship Fund

Other
Trustees Smith, Bowman and Henry discussed their attendance at a recent Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) conference.

Superintendent’s Update
Superintendent Dawning encouraged all to attend the Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School Art Dance Program scheduled for Wednesday, November 2, 2005.

American flags will be flown at ½ mast in honor of Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks who passed away on October 24 at age 92 in Detroit.

The Berrien County Intermediate School District hosted a Legislative Breakfast on October 31, 2005 and District administrators had an opportunity to discuss with State Officials the 18 Legislative Bills recently added to the Michigan Revised School Code.

Due to unsafe conditions for walking students, the District has forwarded a letter to the Berrien County Road Commission requesting that flashing light road signs be posted on Napier Avenue to slow/caution traffic of Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School.

Public Participation
Mrs. Lisa Peeples-Hurst addressed the Board of Education and welcomed the student Board members.  Mrs. Peeples-Hurst requested information regarding teacher vs. layperson coaching criteria, cost of HealthWorks program and a copy of the curriculum for the Abstinence Based, Comprehensive Sexuality Education Series.

Ms. Dyann Chenault addressed the Board of Education extending her appreciation for the resolution of the teacher’s contract.  Ms. Chenault questioned a new requirement by Benton Harbor High School of approval being needed to use library videos as teaching aids.  She expressed her concern of administration interference quoting teacher contract language and asked the Board of Education to look into this matter.

Ms. Stacey Alters addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns with the BHHS administration removing pictures of past principals and students stating that District history is in jeopardy.

Ms. Sherrie Hall addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns with the Stump Academy and asked for trustees to investigate this program.

Board Comments
Student Board member Bowen commended the reinforcement of students wearing uniforms and stated that students’ not being able to take home textbooks is a hindrance to learning.

Student Board member Gunter stated that building administrators are the driving force of student behaviors and a positive environment creates positive student behaviors.  She commended Principal Roseboro for his positive disposition and priority for education.  Miss Gunter expressed her concerns that negative behaviors are overpowering the positive.  She also stated her concerns with the bus transportation.

Trustee Fort welcomed the student Board members, discussed her attendance at the ISD legislative breakfast and expressed her concerns with textbook issues stating that the matter would be investigated.

Trustee Bowman encouraged staff members to work as a team in problem solving and utilize the chain of command before approaching the Board of Education.  Mr. Bowman expressed his concerns with teachers not getting the teaching tools needed to be effective and the lack of textbooks for students to bring home.

Trustee Henry stated that it is imperative for members of the management team to listen to staff concerns for the purpose of improving the learning environment.  Mr. Henry questioned the athletic coaching staff selections and student exposures.

Trustee McGinnis welcomed student Board members and encouraged staff members to utilize the chain of command stating that some comments made tonight were inappropriate.

Trustee Smith greeted student Board members and encouraged the community to send letters to the Berrien County Road Commission in support of establishing flashing light road signs on Napier Avenue to slow traffic around Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School.

 There being no further business, the November work session was adjourned at 8:11 p.m.