The November regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Carolyn Graves at 6:13 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area.

Present: Mrs. Annie Robinson, Ms. Michelle Jones, Mr. Waymon Hodges, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman and Ms. Carolyn Graves

Absent: Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks

President Graves welcomed everyone and explained that items discussed at the work session are voted on at the regular meeting.

Communications
Trustee Jones read an invitation to attend an Open House at the Harbor Point Senior Citizens Housing Complex, 5-7 p.m. November 11, 1999.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the work session of October 5, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of October 5, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Ms. Jones and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the special meeting of October 6, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed on the following vote:

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Jones that the Minutes of the regular meeting of October 12, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith that vendor payments in the amount of $1,662,525.38 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Special recognition was given to the all the BHHS juniors and seniors attending the Black College Tour.

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the following Management Team members be given a three percent (3%) salary increase retroactive from July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000. Management Team employees eligible for an increase include:

Mr. Richard Garrison, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction
Mr. Emmerson Payne, Group Director, Secondary Education
Mr. Stephen Mitchell, Group Director, Operations and Facilities

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education endorse the proposed concept for Career Technical delivery in Berrien County, and further endorse the countywide effort to secure adequate funding.

The motion passed on the following vote:

Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the establishment of a BHAS Technology Committee as governed by Board policy BBC.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Jones:

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

Tuesday, November 9, 1999 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, December 7, 1999 before and/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 #5
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools enter into a "Cost per Copy" agreement for 60 months with Danka Financial Services to replace existing agreements with Eastman Kodak (as a lease re-restructuring) pending the approval of District Counsel.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Board of Education award the snow removal contract to Don Meeks Construction of Benton Harbor for the 1999/2000 school year. This contract will be for one year with two - one year renewal options.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Board of Education acquire the proposed fifteen lots from the City of Benton Harbor at the appraised value of $20,427.00 and further direct the District Counsel to complete the land transaction on behalf of the Board of Education.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Elisabeth Giegerich be granted a Leave of Absence, in accordance with Article XIII, Sections G & I, of the Teachers' Master Labor Agreement, effective October 25, 1999, for a period not to exceed twelve calendar weeks.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Mrs. Susan Harris be granted a Leave of Absence, in accordance with Article XIII, Sections G & I, of the Teachers' Master Labor Agreement, effective October 27, 1999, for a period not to exceed twelve calendar weeks.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Mrs. Paula Horton be granted a Leave of Absence, in accordance with Article XIII, Sections G & I, of the Teachers' Master Labor Agreement, effective October 11, 1999, for a period not to exceed twelve calendar weeks.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the resignations from Special Education Teacher Robert Nulf and Health Wellness Teacher Carmella Hull be accepted and a letter be sent to them thanking them for their services to the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Hodges:

THAT the employees in the following positions be given a three percent (3%) salary increase effective July 1, 1999 - June 30, 2000:

• Athletic Trainer Intranet/Internet Specialist
• Attendance Officers LAN/WAN Specialist
• Bus Dispatchers Laundry/Athletic Equipment Manger
• Bus Monitors Office Applications Trainer
• Computer Systems Operator/Analyst Pool Manager/Lifeguard
• Coordinator, Placement & Follow-up Preschool Montessori Parent/Staff Trainer
• Educational Instructor Assistants Students Advocates
• Executive Secretaries Student Reassignment Monitor
• Gym Monitor Warehouse Supervisor
• Home School Volunteer Leader

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Jones:

THAT the Board of Education ratify the Tentative Agreement reached between the Benton Harbor Paraprofessional Association and the Board of Education effective July 1, 1999 - June 30, 2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Superintendent's Update
November 5, 1999 - End of 1^st Marking Period

Community Partnership for Lifelong Learning has featured an article on BHAS and other surrounding school districts in a recent issue of Actionline published by Cornerstone Alliance.

The GEAR-UP Program, funded by a Lake Michigan College grant, has been implemented at Fair Plain Jr. High and a Director selection process is underway for this 5-year program.

Board Comments
Trustee Smith commended Superintendent Williams for the BHAS articles in The Herald-Palladium's special addition The Century. The featured ads were excellent and have promoted enormous district recognition.

A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Board of Education recessed to closed session at 7:00 p.m.

Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Hodges:

THAT David Bell be expelled for 180 days from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for a violation of the Uniform Code of Discipline. The conditions of the expulsion and possible readmission to school will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

There being no further business, the November regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.