Vice-President Annie Robinson called the November work session of the Board of Education to order at 6:10 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Present: Ms. Michelle Jones, Mr. Waymon Hodges, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman and Mrs. Annie Robinson

Absent: Ms. Carolyn Graves

Communications
Trustee Jones read a thank you card from Trustee Robinson and family that expressed sincere appreciation for the thoughtfulness in the death of her son Warren P. Brown.

Recognitions
Recognition was given to BHHS students Teilah Smith and Michael Razor as the 1999-2000 student Board members.

Central Administration
Superintendent Williams reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve salary increases for members of the management team who are not in new administrative positions for the 1999-2000 school year.

Mr. Paul Bergan, Berrien County Intermediate School District, Director of Career Tech Education, presented a proposed Berrien County Career Technical Education Program. The proposed countywide program is a unique partnership between the K-12 school districts and Lake Michigan College. The partnership would result in new and expanded career technical programs for students with the ability to obtain college credit before graduating from high school. Students would be trained for high skill jobs or entry into a post-secondary program. If endorsed by K-12 districts, the ISD would propose a countywide career/tech millage.

Superintendent Williams reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the proposed Career Technical Education Program in Berrien County and to endorse the county-wide effort to secure adequate funding, as proposed by the Berrien County Intermediate School District.

Business and Finance
Assistant Superintendent Mark Giffels reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the restructuring of five existing leases for copier equipment with Danka (a.k.a. Eastman Kodak, EKCC.) The restructuring effort would result in one "cost per copy" agreement for a 60 month term.

Operations and Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the awarding of snow removal contract bids for the 1999/2000 school year.

Mr. Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the purchase of fifteen vacant parcels from the City of Benton Harbor. These parcels will be held for future expansion of facilities and improving staff/parent-parking areas.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Assistant Superintendent Nora Jefferson reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the following action items:

• Professional Staff Requesting Leave of Absence
• Professional Teaching Staff Resigning
• Recommendation for Salary Increases for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees

Other
Trustee Peeples-Burks requested that Board action be given at the regular meeting to approve a Technology Committee. She also suggested that the Policy Committee schedule a meeting.

Trustee Hodges stated that to assist in the higher educational learning process, students should receive a textbook for each class. To ensure equal instructional deliverance in all buildings, a presentation was requested from the curriculum department.

Superintendent's Update
Superintendent Williams gave praise to the Freedom Program for its wonderful success that is attributed to the excellent student volunteers.

• Teacher Record Day - Friday, November 5 - early dismissal for students
• Parent/Teacher Conferences - November 10^th - 11^th - early dismissal for students

Board Comments
Trustee Woltman suggested that the HOSTS program be piloted in all school buildings. Richard Garrison responded that the district was waiting to hear from Whirlpool Corporation to see if they would be interested in providing additional mentor volunteers for that program. Mr. Woltman also questioned when the Community & Public Relations Committee is scheduled to meet. Trustee Jones responded that she has stepped down as PR Chairperson and asked for another trustee to be appointed to that position.

Student Board member Michael Razor stated that certain BHHS classes do not offer "bring home" textbooks, but textbooks are available for use during class time. Mr. Razor also gave praise to the Freedom Program, as he is a volunteer.

There being no further business, the November work session was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.