Present: Mrs. Annie Robinson, Ms. Michelle Jones, Mr. Waymon Hodges, Dr. Gladys Peeples-Burks, Mrs. J. Allene Smith, Mr. Ken Woltman and student Board member Michael Razor

Absent: Ms. Carolyn Graves

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

Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks that the Minutes of the work session of November 2, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Hodges that the Minutes of the special meeting of November 2, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Hodges that the Minutes of the regular meeting of November 9, 1999 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 November 16, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Hodges that the Minutes of the special meeting of November 18, 1999 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Dr. Peeples-Burks and supported by Mr. Woltman that vendor payments in the amount of $1,781,846.71 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
BHAS and Michigan Works have applied for a Youth Opportunity grant. As an aid in securing the grant, student Board member Michael Razor performed a youth skit for Department of Labor representatives.

Two BHHS graduates Eddy Walton and Angel Taylor were given praise for their outstanding academic achievement while attending Michigan Technological University.

New radio spots promoting the good things happening in BHAS have been recorded and can be heard on WSJM during the hours of 6-9 a.m. each month.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the establishment of a BHAS Bond Issue Steering Committee.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
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, December 14, 1999 before and/or following
the regular meeting of the Board of Education on
that date, and

Tuesday, January 4, 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.

Business/Finance
Staff Report #3
A motion was made by Mr. Hodges and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the 2000 Michigan School Business Officials-Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation Aggregated Bus Purchasing Program resolution.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

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.

1. This Board of Education, pursuant to 1976 PA 451, as amended, hereby invokes for 2000 its previously adopted ongoing resolution imposing a summer property tax levy of all of 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 2000 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, 2000.
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.

Instruction
Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Close Up program/trip to Washington, D.C., from May 7-13, 2000 for BHHS students and chaperones and the requested $300 per student funding.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of the donation of World Book Encyclopedias and Yearbooks to Fair Plain West Elementary School, valued at $1,500, from Ms. Delores Gunn.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of the donation of a refrigerator and stove to Calvin Britain Elementary, valued at $984, from the Whirlpool Foundation.

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 officially approve and acknowledge the generosity of the donation of a 15 ft. hydrocraft jet boat to the Inner City Sail Club, valued at $3,800, from Sinbad.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Board of Education officially accept and acknowledge the generosity of a monetary donation of $100 to the BHHS swim team from Mr. and Mrs. Alan Messinger.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #10
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Dr. Peeples-Burks:

THAT Ms. Susanne Carpenter be employed as an elementary teacher by the Benton Harbor Area Schools effective September 2, 1999.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Rita Gohl be granted a Leave of Absence, in accordance with Article XIII, Sections G&I, of the Teachers' Master Labor Agreement, effective November 19, 1999, for a period not to exceed twelve calendar weeks.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Ericka Harris be granted a Leave of Absence, in accordance with Article V, Section 7, and Article VI, Section 7, of the Administrators' Master Labor Agreement, effective December 1, 1999, for a period not to exceed twelve calendar weeks.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Mary Singer's resignation be accepted and a letter be sent to her thanking her for her services to the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT Ms. Behlens' retirement be acknowledged and accepted and that a letter from the District be sent to her thanking her for her services to the students of the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Superintendent's Update
BHAS is participating with the City of Benton Harbor and the Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census, to ensure accuracy in the U.S. Census 2000. Each Benton Harbor community resident will receive a lengthy census questionnaire. In 1990, only 38% of the BH population completed the census survey and returned it. Census 2000 information benefits communities by, 1) determining political representation among states, 2) helping to receive financial assistance for roads, hospitals, schools, etc., 3) aiding in the planning for child care, education, health services, recreation and the future. It is crucial to the BH community that each resident is counted accurately. BHAS employees are encouraged to volunteer to serve on a census committee and to assist with the process. The District will be a testing site for Census 2000 employment positions. All Census positions are temporary and short-term and will be available to qualified applicants for 4-6 weeks beginning in January 2000.

Michigan State Representative Ron Jelinek will be visiting BHAS before representatives reconvene from holiday break.

Public Participation
Miss Markita Vincent addressed the Board with her concerns of being a transfer student from Memphis, Tennessee and unable to register at BHHS until second semester. She stated that BHHS would not accept her Memphis high school credits that are needed to graduate in June 2000.

Ms. Myra Baker addressed the Board petitioning to keep the Pipestone Pre-School Parent Infant Toddler class from being cancelled. Assistant Superintendent Richard Garrison responded that there has been a miscommunication and that the class is not being cancelled.

Board Comments
Trustee Peeples-Burks stated that BHAS Board of Education must follow Roberts Rules of Order when conducting business and asked that fellow trustees be mindful of proper motions and supports.

Trustee Hodges said that in 1990 he held an employment position as a numerator for the US Census Department.

Trustee Jones gave praise and appreciation to the Boys and Girls Club of America as she is currently employed at the Boys and Girls Club in Kalamazoo, Michigan.