MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
NOVEMBER 8, 2005

The November regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President J. Allene Smith at 6:01 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Perry Davis, Mr. Anthony Henry, Mr. Ken Woltman, Mr. Robert Bowman and Mrs. Carolyn Fort 

Absent:  Mr. Dan McGinnis

Also Present:  Student Board Members Samantha Gunter and Trenton Bowens

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps JROTC offered the Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Communications
Mr. William Mayes, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA), and Mr. Geoffrey Balkam, Region 7 President, were present to announce Superintendent Paula Dawning as Regional Superintendent of the Year and MASA’s 2006 State Superintendent of the Year.  Regional Superintendent of the Year awards are first given to a superintendent in each of MASA’s 10 regions.  Superintendent Dawning was chosen from eight nominees in Region 7.  Of the 10 regional winners, one is chosen as the State Superintendent of the Year.  This award puts Superintendent Dawning in the running for the National Superintendent of the Year award given in February by the American Association of School Administrators.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the work session of October 4, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the regular meeting of October 11, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort that the Minutes of the special meeting of October 18, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the special meeting of October 25, 2005 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mrs. Fort that vendor payments in the amount of $1,857,037.29 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo introduced Certified Public Accountant Jeff Dorn representative of the accounting firm Plante & Moran, who updated the Board of Education on the BHAS Annual Audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2005.  Items of discussion were District revenue, expenditures and the general fund equity.

Recognitions
Recognition was extended to Mr. Dillon Barnes as Employee of the Month for Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School.

Benton Harbor High School student Courtney Webb was recognized for her outstanding sportsmanship on and off the court, as a varsity basketball player.

Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School 8th grade math team was recognized for their excellent representation in the State Math Conference.  Each student received a certificate of participation and a $25 gift card.

Mr. Robert Kesterke was honored for his outstanding maintenance of the Benton Harbor High School football field.

Michigan Homeless Awareness Week – November 13-19, 2005.

Michigan Safe Schools Week – November 6-12, 2005.

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

THAT Board policies:

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

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the 2005-2006 Expulsion Hearing Panel schedule.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

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

Tuesday, November 8, 2005 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, December 6, 2005 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.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education award the snow removal contract to the low bidder, Don Meeks Construction, LLC of Benton Harbor, MI for the 2005-2006 school year.  This is a one-year contract with 2 one-year renewal options.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the resolution confirming the District’s Operating Agreement with the Michigan Coalition of Essential Schools to assist Henry C. Morton Elementary School with its school improvement efforts as outlined in the contract.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially adopt the Michigan School Readiness Program resolution for a grant in the amount of $528,000.00, to fund the four-year-old Preschool Program, Comprehensive Parent Involvement and Education Programs for families of children 0-5, for the 2005-2006 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Abstinence Based, Comprehensive Sexuality Education Series for middle school and high school students for the 2005-2006 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

As an informational item, Athletic Director James Rutter and Benton Harbor High School athletic coaches presented a proposal for the restructuring of the Benton Harbor Area Schools Athletic Program.  The athletic department’s mission is to create and sustain a viable educational program for all student athletes.  Topics of discussion included student eligibility, the clearinghouse process, Varsity Club and proposed fundraisers.  The goal is to create a systematic program not teams, and to help parents and students understand that the District’s main objective is to prepare young men and women for the world beyond high school. 

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the resignation notices of Ms. Nicole Mills, and Mr. Christopher McCann and that a letter is sent thanking them for their years of service to the students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #8A
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education deny the leave of absence requests from Ms. Courtney Zencka and Ms. Lori Brooks.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education return teachers Ms. Dionne Cox and Ms. Allison Marlow to work, effective November 1, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Fort:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education employ Mr. Andrew Phillips, effective October 3, 2005; Ms. Carmen George, effective October 4, 2005; Mr. Robert Toennesssen, effective October 10, 2005; and Mr. Ronald Ricca, effective October 10, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Consent
Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mrs. Fort and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following donations to the District for the 2005-2006 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Superintendent's Update
The Benton Harbor Area Schools food service contract with Aramark Food Service will expire at the end of the 2005-2006 school year.  The food service contract will go out for bid and a committee will be established to review the process.

The Department of Education has announced a new criterion for technology, mandating that 8th grade students be certified in technology standards.

The District has purchased and locked in natural gas at gas prices prior to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, resulting in significant cost savings.

A tragedy has occurred today in a Tennessee high school, resulting in the Principal and Assistant Principal being shot by a high school student.

Faculty members and Board trustees from South Bend Community School Corporation visited the District today to discuss and view student uniforms.

A moment of silence was requested in the honor of Sherry Miller, Superintendent of Lowell Public Schools who has passed away.

Public Participation
Mrs. Angelika MacGowan addressed the Board of Education expressing content and satisfaction, on behalf of the teachers union, in the resolution of the teachers master labor agreement.  She encouraged the Board of Education to ratify the other District labor agreements, stating that all staff work very hard and deserve a pay increase.  Mrs. MacGowan expressed concern with Trustee Henry’s statement recently published in The Herald-Palladium.  

Mrs. Stephanie Gunter addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns with trustees criticizing District parents.  Mrs. Gunter stated that parents are working hard and deserve positive reinforcement.

Mrs. Nicole Garrett addressed the Board of Education extending her appreciation for the written response to her previous concerns and questioned how the high school could schedule 2 required classes simultaneously for students.

Board Comments
The Board of Education extended their condolences to Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources/Labor Relations Nora Jefferson in the death of her brother.

Student Board member Trenton Bowen stated that the LOT program in the middle schools is off to a good start.  He congratulated the Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School math students and wished Principal Roseboro a happy birthday.

Student Board member Samantha Gunter wished Principal Roseboro a happy birthday.

Trustee Fort congratulated the Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School math students and stated that the District is moving forward, as tonight’s meeting was great.

Trustee Bowman congratulated Superintendent Dawning for being awarded Michigan Superintendent of the Year.

Trustee Woltman extended his appreciation for the positive meeting tonight.

Trustee Henry praised the District teachers and Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School math students.  He acknowledged Mrs. MacGowan’s concern and congratulated Superintendent Dawning.

Trustee Smith commended Superintendent Dawning for winning Michigan Superintendent of the Year and wished good luck to the Varsity Girls Basketball Team.

There being no further business, the November regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.