The November regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President J. Allene Smith at 6:06 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Mitchell that the Minutes of the regular meeting of October 8, 2002 be approved as printed.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the special meeting of October 21, 2002 be approved as printed.

Praise and recognition was given to BHHS students Marquan Martin and Alexandra Shannon as outstanding participants in the 2003 National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Athletic Certificates of Participation were disseminated to the BHHS JV Football Team for their outstanding 2002-fall season.

Acknowledgment was given to over 200 BHHS students who have chosen to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

Praise and acknowledgement was given to the Lady Tigers Basketball Team for their Western Division Championship.

A packet of information was disseminated to the Board of Education on the "Take The Test" Program that was held on Monday, November 11, 2002, designed to help Michigan residents understand what children are learning and the purpose of the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP).

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially adopt GA - Nepotism as policy of the School District.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Michigan Coalition of Essential Schools Reform Services Agreement according to the terms of the CSR grant, effective September 1, 2002 - September 30, 2003.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the resolution on Schools of Choice.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools District will accept applications for enrollment from non-resident students residing within the Berrien County ISD, Van Buren ISD, Lewis Cass ISD in accord with Section 105 and 105c of the State School Aid Act.

Enrollment may be available to and applications will be accepted from non-resident pupils for the grades, schools and programs as determined annually.

Enrollment of non-resident pupils for the designated grades(s), school(s) and/or special program(s) shall be limited to the annual determinations in #2.

The District will not provide transportation to those non-resident pupil applications who are granted admission to the District. Qualified pupils with disabilities who enroll in the District will be provided transportation services consistent with their individualized educational plan.

No later than October, the Superintendent or designee shall recommend to the Board those grades, schools, and special programs, as well as the number of pupil openings, which are available for enrollment in the second semester of that school year for non-resident pupils residing in an eligible district under Sections 105 and 105c.

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

Tuesday, November 12, 2002 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, December 3, 2002 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.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education extend for one year the lease agreement with Tri-county Council for Child Development (Head Start) at $.10 (ten cents) per square foot. There is approximately 10,300 square feet of space available.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the purchase of equipment from Posey Plumbing of Kalamazoo, MI, in the amount of $399,246.99, for unit-ventilator replacement at Fair Plain East, Fair Plain Middle and M.L.K. Schools.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept a grant in the amount of $45,000.00 from the Berrien County Health Department for the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Project (TP3).

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Close Up Program fieldtrip excursion to Atlanta, Georgia, for the Benton Harbor High School students and chaperones and the requested $150.00 per student funding.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of a grant in the amount of $150,000.00 to the District along with the Berrien County Health Department for the continuation of adolescent health services provided on the campus of Benton Harbor High School.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of a donation of $300.00 from the Sex Can Wait Program for the purchase of high-level self esteem books.

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of donations valued at $445.00 to the HOSTS Program at Fair Plain West Elementary School.

THAT the following teachers named below be employed by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective as listed:

• Alisa Hankin effective September 23, 2002
• Veda Johny effective August 21, 2002
• Mildred Moore effective August 21, 2002

THAT Ms. Alberta Merchant be granted Tenure effective August 23, 2002.

THAT Mr. Robert Farmer's resignation be accepted and a letter be sent to him thanking him for the 28 years of services he provided to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education extended their appreciation to Mr. Farmer for his wealth of information and dedication to the children of the District.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources/Labor Relations Nora Jefferson provided Board trustees with information on forfeiture of Teacher Tenure Rights, which addressed tenure teachers who fail to comply with the Teachers Tenure Act in notifying the Board of his/her intent to resign.

Members of the Board of Education and Superintendent Dawning will be attending the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) Conference scheduled for November 13-17.

The District has been awarded a $10,000 Drive For Success literacy grant from the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Rotary.

Sorter, Fair Plain East and Fair Plain West Elementary Schools have been awarded exemplary status for the HOSTS program.

The State School Board has delayed the issue of report card grading until February 2003.

Mrs. Lottie Pugh addressed the Board of Education advising of a flu shot clinic being offered 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, November 13, at the Sammie Smith Family Investment Center.

Mrs. Rosia Martin addressed the Board of Education requesting a copy of the National Achievement Scholarship Program acknowledgment.

Trustee Davis extended his appreciation to those students who were recognized tonight for their outstanding successes.

Trustee Bennett commended Superintendent Dawning and the Management Team for grants received in the District.

Trustee Peeples-Burks acknowledged the new reporters from The Herald-Palladium and WHFB Radio.

Trustee Smith gave a reminder of the Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 26 for the purpose of declaring District property surplus.

Student Board member Brittney Hurst questioned employment requirements of tenured teachers.

Student Board member Brett Closson questioned why The Trane Company offered a discount to the District if the equipment was purchased by a certain date.