MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
NOVEMBER 7, 2006

President Dan McGinnis called the November Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present:  Mr. Dan McGinnis, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman, Ms. Lue Buchana (6:25) and Mrs. Iris Watts

Absent:  Mrs. Carolyn Fort and Mr. Anthony Henry

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 Smith read a letter from Attorney Gary Chamberlin who congratulated Assistant Superintendents’ Virginia Maxwell and J. Leonard Wright for the District’s Drive for Success Program that was recognized in the MASB Headlines as a recipient of the 2006 Michigan’s Best award winner.

Recognitions
Michigan Safe Schools Week is November 5-11, 2006.

The Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School choir performed two songs for the Board of Education.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that two student board members have been chosen for the 2006-2007 school year and will be present at the regular meeting.

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the 2006-2007 Board of Education District Goals and Objectives.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to authorize the Superintendent of Schools to enter into negotiations for the purpose of securing a Central Administration Center location.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools has explored three options: 1) renovation of the Career/Technical Center, 2) purchase of 777 Riverview Drive, Suite B, and 3) build a new building on district owned property.  A public hearing was held on November 2, 2006, to review each option and the costs associated with each.

Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to renew the snow removal contract for the 2006-2007 school year.  Formal bids were received and opened on October 25, 2005, for snow removal from twenty school sites.  Don Meeks Construction of Benton Harbor was awarded the bid for the 2005-2006 school year with two, one-year renewal options.

Mr. Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to renew the waste disposal contract.  Two companies submitted bids for the 2004-2005 school year solid waste removal.  Best Way Disposal was awarded the bid for the 2004-2005 school year with two, one-year renewal options.

As an informational item, Stephen Mitchell reported that nine buses were auctioned netting $26,200.00 on October 30, 2006.

Instruction
As an informational item, Helping One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) representatives Susan Harris, Linda Rigler and Sharon Russell presented an update on the HOSTS program via a PowerPoint presentation.  The data presented was based on the 2005-2006 school year that included:

• 106 students in grades 2-5 participated in HOSTS

• 62% of HOSTS students passed the MEAP

• 79% of students have tested out of the program

• 445 community mentors

• 9,713 hours volunteered

• Value of hours volunteered $175,222.52

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 Agreement for Morton Elementary School.  The Michigan Coalition of Essential Schools has been assisting Henry C. Morton Elementary School with its school improvement efforts.  The Michigan Coalition of Essential Schools requires the Board of Education to adopt a formal resolution confirming its operating agreement with the District.  The cost for this program has been fully funded through a grant by the Michigan Department of Education.

Assistant Superintendent Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Michigan School Readiness Program amendment.  The District applied for a Michigan School Readiness program grant to fund early childhood programs including the four-year-old preschool program.  The amount of the grant is $495,000.00 from the Michigan Department of Education to provide half-day preschool sessions for 150 students, for the 2006-2007 school year.  The amendment is to provide a four-year-old preschool program for 115 students in the amount $379,500.00 and to provide 35 slots to the Parents As Teachers program in the amount of $115,500.00 for a total of $495,000.

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Johns Hopkins University Memorandum of Understanding.  The Memorandum of Understanding between the District and Johns Hopkins University Talent Development High Schools for the 2006-2007 school year must be approved in the amount of $125,002.00.  The staff at BHHS selected Talent Development High Schools as its whole school reform model, and the Center for Social Organization of Schools at Johns Hopkins University has agreed to form a partnership with the District to implement the Talent Development High Schools model at Benton Harbor High School.

Assistant Superintendent J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve two Benton Harbor High School Marching Band trips for the 2006-2007 school year.  The BHHS Marching Band would like to attend two events: 1) Michigan Parade, Lansing, MI, May 12, 2007, and 2) the Mackinaw Memorial Parade, Mackinaw City, Mi, May 25-26, 2007.  The Band Director has indicated that fundraisers would be conducted for needed funding for these trips.

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

• Professional Staff Resigning

• Professional Staff Retiring

• Employment of Professional Staff

• Lakeland Health Services School Health Nurse Service Agreement

Consent
Board action will be requested at the regular meeting to accept the following donations/grants to the Benton Harbor Area Schools:

•  $250 Donation of Dress Shirts/Ties to BHHS Athletics from Janet Crump
•  $500 Donation to the BHAS Chess Club from K. Morris Gavin
•  $4687.22 Donation of Books to Morton School from Michigan Friends of Education
•  $700 Donation to Morton Foster Grandparents Program from SJ/BH Rotary
•  $1500 Donation For Drive For Success Reading Initiative from MASB

Other
Following the work session the Board of Education will recess into closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal council contract negotiations and personnel issues.

Superintendent’s Update
On March 13^th and 14^th the Michigan Merit Exam ACT will be administered to the Benton Harbor High School junior class that includes a writing component, WorkKeys and MEAP social studies and science.

Last week a local radio station notified the District of a community incident involving an alleged gunman.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools does implement safety precautions at all school buildings that includes 1 door open to outsiders to enter, as the exterior doors are secured.

The 1^st marking period of the 2006-2007 school is now over and parent teacher conferences are scheduled for November 8^th and 9^th.

Board Comments
Board trustees commended the Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School choir for their excellent performance tonight.

The Board recessed to closed session at 6:53 p.m. to discuss with legal council contract negotiations and personnel issues.

Present:  Mr. Dan McGinnis, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman, Mr. Anthony Henry (7:20), Ms. Lue Buchana and Mrs. Iris Watts

Also Present:  Dr. Paula Dawning, Ms. Sheletha Bobo, Mr. Bill Kaeding, Mr. Stephen Mitchell and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

There being no further business, the November work session was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.