MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
NOVEMBER 14, 2006

The November regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Dan McGinnis at 6:04 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

Present:  Mr. Dan McGinnis, Mrs. J. Allene Smith (6:10), Mr. Ken Woltman, Ms. Lue Buchana 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
President McGinnis read a letter from Cornerstone Alliance regarding the proposed Harbor Town Development and that for a limited time housing lots will be offered to Benton Harbor teachers and police officers at no charge.

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

THAT the Minutes of the work session of October 3, 2006 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the regular meeting of October 10, 2006 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the special meeting of October 26, 2006 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana that vendor payments in the amount of $2,485,483.21 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Drive for Success reading initiative won a Michigan’s Best Award, as established by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB).  Assistant Superintendents’ Virginia Maxwell and J. Leonard Wright were presented with a plaque of recognition and a monetary gift of $1,500 to the District at a recent luncheon in Detroit.

Benton Harbor High School students Candice Walker and Abraham Chopin were welcomed as the 2006-2007 Student Board of Education Members.  Students Trenton Bowens and Natasha Partee were welcomed as special assistants to the Board President.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education officially adopt the resolution that recognizes November 5-11, 2006, as Michigan Safe Schools Week.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the District Board of Education Goals & Objectives for the 2006-2007 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the 30-year lease proposal from Spectrum Holdings II, LLC, an affiliate of Clearwire Corporation, with an up-front payment of $620,000 and $100 monthly rental payments thereafter.  However, the District may not execute the lease until early December to allow Sprint to match the proposal.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Watts:

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

Tuesday, November 14, 2006 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, December 5, 2006 before, during or following
the work session of the Board of Education on that date,

in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons, 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 #5
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education authorize the Superintendent to enter into negotiations with Consumers Investment, LLC, for the purpose of purchasing building B, located at 777 Riverview Drive, Benton Harbor, MI.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education renew the snow removal contract with Don Meeks Construction, LLC, of Benton Harbor, MI for the 2006-2007 school year.  This is the first year of the renewal option.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education renew the waste disposal contract with Best Way Disposal of Watervliet, MI for the 2006-2007 school year.  This is the second year of the renewal option.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mrs. Watts and supported by Ms. Buchana:

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 assisting Henry C. Morton Elementary School with its school improvement efforts as outlined in the contract.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the Michigan School Readiness Program Resolution Amendment for a grant in the amount of $379,500.00 to fund the four-year-old Preschool Program and $115,500.00 for the Parents As Teachers Program for families of children 0-5, for the 2006-2007 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the agreement between the Benton Harbor Area Schools and Johns Hopkins University Talent Development High School for the 2006-2007 school year in the amount of $125,002.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the two out-of-town trips by the BHHS Marching Band for the 2006-2007 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #12

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools accept the resignation notice from Mrs. Stephanie Spivey and that a letter is sent thanking her for the years of service to the students of the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #13
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the retirement notices from Ms. E. Toni Doswell, and Mr. Bill Kaeding and that a letter is sent thanking them for their years of service to the students of the District.

The motion passed on the following vote:

AYES: Mr. Woltman  NAYS: Ms. Buchana
Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Watts
Mr. McGinnis

Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Watts:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education employ May Schultz-Reed, Caryle Bushen, Elizabeth Albrecht and Katrina Davidson as teachers in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #14A
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education enter into a contractual agreement with Lakeland Health Services, Inc. to provide nursing services, effective with the approval of the contract.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Consent
Staff Report #15
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education add the $1500.00 Drive For Success monetary award to the consent agenda.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following grants and donations to the District for the 2006-2007 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Superintendent’s Update
The State of Michigan Special Education Focused Monitoring assessment has been completed and the District will receive the final report after the holidays.

Superintendent Paula Dawning read her letter of resignation, effective June 30, 2007.  Dr. Dawning cited District accomplishments, the high school restructuring initiative and gave thanks to the community, parents and staff for the opportunity to educate children.

The Benton Harbor High School girls’ varsity basketball team was recognized for their high achieving efforts and a great season.

Public Participation
Ms. Cassandra Kelly addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns that her child was recommended to be retained in school.

Mr. Marcus Robinson addressed the Board of Education commending Superintendent Dawning for her four years of hard work and asked trustees to address the system as a whole to maintain a high level of education.

Ms. Deborah Gabriel addressed the Board of Education with her concerns regarding the costs to relocate the Central Administration Center.  She strongly encouraged the trustees not to approve spending due to low student enrollment, lack of supplies and budget cuts.  Ms. Gabriel reminded trustees of previous election recalls and stated that the community is watching, which could affect any future millage proposals.

Mrs. Lisa Peeples-Hurst addressed the Board of Education stating her concerns with the high school academies lacking books and teaching materials.  Mrs. Peeples-Hurst also stated that there are discrepancies in student transcripts, as the transcripts do not reflex all classes that students have taken.

Board Comments
Trustee McGinnis stated that the Board of Education would meet by December 12, 2006, to initiate a plan of action regarding the superintendency and to address forthcoming administration changes.  He thanked Superintendent Dawning for her leadership and welcomed the student Board members.

Student Board member Chopin extended his appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Education.

Trustee Buchana encouraged parents to be engaged with their child’s education and that a parent meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st at Blossom Acres.

Trustee Watts congratulated the new student Board members and expressed her appreciation to Superintendent Dawning for her years of service.

Trustee Woltman welcomed the student Board members and stated that many surrounding Districts were also facing budget deficits.

Trustee Smith discussed her attendance at the Michigan Association of School Boards Fall Conference and the Michigan’s Best Award Ceremony.

The Board recessed to closed session at 7:34 p.m. to discuss with legal council possible student expulsions.

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

Also Present:  Dr. Paula Dawning, Dr. Perry Davis, Ms. Anita Burton, Ms. Pamela Dudley and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

Both the student and parent were present and requested a closed hearing.

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

THAT effective immediately 11-06-01-BHHS-CAB be returned to school.  The conditions of the return will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Both the student and parent were present and requested a closed hearing.

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

THAT effective immediately 11-06-02-BHHS-CAB be returned to school.  The conditions of the return will be outlined in a letter to be written by the Superintendent.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Neither the student nor parent was present.

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

THAT 11-06-03-BHHS-HS be expelled from the Benton Harbor Area Schools for 180 school days for violations of 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 9:15 p.m.