MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS
DECEMBER 14, 2004

The December regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Ken Woltman at 6:03 p.m. at the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons Area.

Present:  Mr. Ken Woltman, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Anthony A. Henry, Dr. Perry Davis, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks and Mr. Robert L. Bowman

Absent:  Mr. Dan McGinnis

Also Present:  Student Board members Breanna Hill and Matthew Bradley

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

Communications
Trustee Henry read a resignation letter written by Trustee Gladys Peeples-Burks that stated effective January 31, 2005, she would be resigning from her position on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education.  Dr. Peeples-Burks stated personal reasons for her decision to resign and that she has enjoyed her eleven and one-half years as a member of the Board of Education.  She will continue to advocate for the children of the District.

Minutes
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the work session of November 2, 2004 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the public hearing of November 9, 2004 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Dr. Davis that the Minutes of the regular meeting of November 9, 2004 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the special meeting of November 16, 2004 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Dr. Davis and supported by Mrs. Smith that vendor payments in the amount of $1,912,646.64 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
The choir from Sorter Elementary School and the Benton Harbor High School Madrigals sang seasonal favorites in spirit of the holiday season.

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

THAT Board policies:

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

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education hereby dissolve the Cooperative Agreement between the Benton Harbor Area Schools and the North Berrien Adult Education Consortium, effective at the end of the 2004-2005 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

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

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 before, during or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, January 4, 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.

Business/Finance
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Henry and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

WHEREAS, this Board of Education by resolution of December 13, 1983, determined to impose a summer property tax levy to collect all of school property taxes, including debt services upon property located within the school district, beginning with 1984 and continuing from year to year until specifically revoked by this Board of Education.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

  1. This Board of Education, pursuant to 1976 PA 451, as amended, hereby invokes for 2005 its previously adopted ongoing resolution imposing a summer property tax levy of all school property taxes, including debt service, beginning with 1984 and continuing from year to year until specifically revoked by this Board of Education, and requests each city and/or township in which this district is located to collect those summer taxes.
  2. The Superintendent or his/her designee is authorized and directed to forward to the governing body of each city and/or township in which this district is located a copy of this Board's resolution imposing a summer property tax levy on an ongoing basis, and a copy of this resolution requesting that such city and/or township agree to collect the summer tax levy for 2005 in the amount as specified in this resolution.  Such forwarding of the resolutions and the request to collect the summer tax levy shall be sent so that they are received by the appropriate governing bodies before January 1, 2005.
  3. The Superintendent or his/her designee is authorized and directed to negotiate on behalf of this District with the governing body of each city and/or township in which the District is located for the reasonable expenses for collection of the District's summer property tax levy that the city and/or township may bill under MCLA 380.1611 or MCLA 380.1612.  Any such proposed agreement shall be brought before this Board for its approval or disapproval.
  4. All resolutions and parts of resolutions insofar as they conflict with the provisions of this resolution be and the same are hereby rescinded.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the 2004-2005 Michigan School Business Officials-Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation Aggregate Bus Purchasing program resolution.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education authorize AFLAC to provide supplemental insurance for the Benton Harbor Area Schools staff.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #7
A motion was made by Mr. Bowman and supported by Dr. Davis:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the sale of District property located at 240 Jefferson Street to the Peace Temple United Methodist Church for $1,500.00.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education table staff report #8, Approval of AED Academy for Educational Development Agreement, until a presentation is made by The Academy for Educational Development for the Middle Start Comprehensive School Reform program.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Ms. Barbara Peeples, State Project Coordinator presented a math and science project - Science in Everyday Experiences Program.  The program is designed to train teachers to work with parents in helping their children learn math and science through everyday experiences.  Ms. Peeples demonstrated 5 magic tricks and showed several displays of common everyday sciences available in the home.  Science happens all around us everyday and parents have endless opportunities to invite their children into the wonders of science.  Curiosity is natural to children, but they need help understanding how to make sense of what they see and to relate their observations to their existing ideas and understandings.  When parents encourage children to ask questions, make predictions, offer explanations, and explore in a safe environment, they lend them the kind of support that they need to become successful science students and scientific thinkers.  Ms. Peeples asked for approval to present the Science in Everyday Experiences Program in schools, at parent-teacher conferences, open houses or at the request of principals.  This is an after-school activity and would not take up instructional time.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education add the Science in Everyday Experiences Program request to the agenda.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the request for the Science in Everyday Experiences Program to be endorsed throughout District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #9
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accepts the resignation of Mrs. Tracy Sarno and that a letter is sent thanking her for her services to the students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education hire Mr. James Jones as a music/band teacher, effective January 3, 2005.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Consent
Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Bowman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education gratefully acknowledges and accepts the following grants and donations to the District for the 2004-2005 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Other
Superintendent Dawning requested that the Board of Education appoint 2 Blue Ribbon Teams to review the facilities and finance of the Benton Harbor Area Schools, and to advise the Board of Education of any recommendations.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education add to the agenda the appointment of 2 Blue Ribbon Teams to review the facilities and finance of the Benton Harbor Area Schools, and to advise the Board of Education of any recommendations.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mrs. Smith:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the appointment of 2 Blue Ribbon Teams to review the facilities and finance of the Benton Harbor Area Schools, and to advise the Board of Education of any recommendations.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Public Participation
Ms. Lue Buchana addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns with students' lack of respect for their parents and the parents lacking parental skills.  Ms. Buchana asked the Board to think of how the District could provide help to those parents needing parental skill development.

Board Comments
Trustee Peeples-Burks commended the children from Sorter Elementary School for the excellent choral performance.

Trustee Henry expressed his sadness as Trustee Gladys Peeples-Burks resigns from the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education.  Mr. Henry invited parents and the community to attend the 2nd Community Forum scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 15th, at the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 245 Pipestone Street, Benton Harbor.

Trustee Smith discussed her attendance at the Global Greenery demonstration and the Fair Plain Middle School holiday program.  Mrs. Smith stated that excellent information was shared on the high school restructuring at a recent Parents As Partners meeting.

There being no further business, the December regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.