The November regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Carolyn Graves at 6:12 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present: Mr. Dwight P. Mitchell (6:33), Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mr. Ken Woltman and Ms. Carolyn Graves

Absent: Mrs. Annie Robinson and Ms. Michelle Jones

Minutes
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman that the Minutes of the work session of October 3, 2000 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 3, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the regular meeting of October 10, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the special meeting of October 17, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the special meeting of October 26, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith that the Minutes of the special meeting of October 27, 2000 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that vendor payments in the amount of $1,722,764.86 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Central Administration
Staff Report #1
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially approve and adopt the resolution confirming the District's participation in said suit(s) as a named party seeking relief for the State's failure to meet its funding responsibilities under the Michigan Constitution and that the attorney, Dennis R. Pollard of Pollard & Albertson, P.C., be authorized to serve as the School District's attorney in said suit(s).

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Board policies:

BC School Board Meetings
GAE Complaints and Grievances

be hereby adopted as policy of the school District and that any previous policy as listed be hereby rescinded.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

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

Tuesday, November 14, 2000 before and/or following
The regular meeting of the Board of Education on that date, and

Tuesday, December 5, 2000 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.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially vote to accept the option agreement on approximately 138 acres of land and instruct the Superintendent to execute the contract as submitted by the District's legal counsel.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mr. Mitchell and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education renew the District's snow plowing contract with Don Meeks Construction of Benton Harbor for the 2000-2001 snow removal season.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education acknowledge the generosity of the Community Partnership for Lifelong Learning, a division of Cornerstone Alliance, the United Way of Southwestern Michigan, and the Whirlpool Foundation for their grants and financial assistance in the amount of $65,800 to subsidize the initial franchising fees for new HOSTS Learning Centers at Sorter and Fair Plain Northeast Elementary Schools.

The Board of Education further gratefully recognizes and acknowledges the outstanding support and assistance the District has received from the Whirlpool Corporation and the Community Partnership for Lifelong Learning in the recruitment of mentors for all three of the District's HOSTS programs and for their continuing commitment to promoting student literacy in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges the generous donation of a catamaran sailboat, outboard motor and trailer with an assessed value of $17,600 to the Benton Harbor Area Schools Inner-City Sail Club by Mr. Lawrence Dalson of Buchanan, Michigan.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Board of Education gratefully acknowledges the grant in the amount of $5,100 to the Benton Harbor Area Schools' DaVinci Players from the Berrien Community Foundation to be used for equipment acquisition.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Darren P. Stemm effective September 30, 2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Mr. Marc Hunter be placed on Second Year Probation effective January 12, 2001.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Ms. Irene Crenshaw and Ms. Virginia Collins be placed on Third Year Probation effective December 1 and December 15, 2000, respectively.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Ms. Melissa McNelley be granted Tenure effective October 2, 2000.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Ms. Kim Missman be granted Tenure effective January 13, 2001.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Other
Trustee Smith asked that the Superintendent's contract extension be added to the November regular meeting agenda, due to the contract extension not being voted upon during the Superintendent's annual evaluation at a special meeting held in May 2000. Trustee Woltman expressed his concerns if the current superintendent's contract is not extended stating that it would cause a lack of leadership and continuity at the executive level, which is already short-staffed. He questioned President Graves' plan if that occurred. President Graves replied that she did not have a replacement and that she had planned to address the Superintendent's contract extension at the December Board meeting. Dr. Peeples-Burks questioned President Graves as to her notion for BHAS and complimented Superintendent Williams for her ability to lead the District citing an improvement in educational instruction. Trustee Mitchell stated that he has reviewed the Superintendent's 1999-2000 evaluation. He suggested that since he was not a Board trustee during that time the Superintendent's contract extension be tabled until February 2001.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education extend the employment contract for Superintendent Renee' R. Williams to expire on May 29, 2002.

The motion failed on the following vote:

Superintendent Williams questioned the failed motion seeking clarity that her employment contract has not been renewed. It was determined that the Superintendent's contract renewal would be addressed in February 2001.

Following the regular meeting the Board of Education will recess into closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel possible student expulsions.

Public Participation
Mrs. Mickey Sipress addressed the Board of Education with questions regarding the land purchase agreement. Mrs. Sipress asked for the purchase price, any District financial obligations, the building of future roads and the MDOT plans for the US 31 bypass.

Mr. Mike Poluhanycz addressed the Board of Education with questions regarding the land purchase agreement and the legal issues for Benton Township. He stated that this issue was never presented at a Benton Township Board meeting, and questioned the zoning of the area and the loss of tax dollars.

BHHS student, Michael Blanks, addressed the Board of Education with concerns regarding the recent Black College Tour and the lack of teen recreation in Benton Harbor.

Board Comments
Trustees Smith and Dr. Peeples-Burks discussed their attendance at the recent Michigan Association of School Boards Annual Fall Leadership Conference.

Trustee Woltman questioned the appointment of student Board members for the 2000-2001 school year.

Trustee Mitchell gave thanks and appreciation to the BHAS technology department for the technology booklet stating that it was an excellent source of information. Mr. Mitchell also commended the cosmetology program for a smooth start and cited the program as being an excellent opportunity for students.

President Graves gave a reminder of the President's Speak forum at Lake Michigan College scheduled for Thursday, November 16.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Board of Education recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel possible student expulsions.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Board of Education recessed to closed session at 7:29 p.m.

Absent: Mrs. Annie Robinson and Ms. Michelle Jones

Also Present:  Ms. Renee Williams, Mr. Richard Garrison, Ms. Ruth Watson, Mr. Cullen Walton and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

Mrs. Carson McMutuary requested a closed hearing regarding the expulsion recommendation of her son Cordelroe McMutuary.

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

THAT Cordelroe McMutuary be permanently expelled from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for a violation of Section 1311 (2) of the Michigan Revised School Code and the Uniform Code of Discipline. The conditions of the expulsion will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

No parent or student representation was present for the expulsion recommendation for James Sicurello.

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

THAT James Sicurello be permanently expelled from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for a violation of Section 1311 (2) of the Michigan Revised School Code and the Uniform Code of Discipline. The conditions of the expulsion will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

No parent or student representation was present for the expulsion recommendation for Shenedra Joseph.

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

THAT Shenedra Joseph be expelled for the remainder of the 2000-2001 school year from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for a violation of Section 1310 of the Michigan Revised School Code and the Uniform Code of Discipline. The conditions of the expulsion 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.