Benton Harbor Area Schools

President Dan McGinnis called the December Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:03 p.m. in the Benton Harbor High School, Student Commons.

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

Absent:  Mrs. Carolyn Fort

Also Present: Student Board Members Abraham Chopin and Candice Walker

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

Recognitions
Praise and recognition were extended to third grade Creative Arts/Gifted & Talented student, Diamone Williams and sixth grade Boynton Montessori student, Kaliyah Drake for their artwork being chosen as holiday cards by the State of Michigan.

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the 2007 summer tax resolution for imposing a summer property tax levy for all school property taxes, including a debt service.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve an electronic message board for the Benton Harbor High School.  The Operations and Facilities Committee has recommended that the District explore acquiring an outdoor message board.  On October 11, 2006, six potential suppliers were solicited and four proposals were received.  Funding for this project has been identified in this year’s sinking fund.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the SciMaTech tournament trip to Flint, Michigan scheduled for December 15-16, 2006.  The SciMaTech Team “Lightning Bots” from Hull Middle School has been selected for the regional competition to participate in the Flint Championship Tournament First Lego League - Nanoquest.  Nine team members and four chaperones would attend the competition, at an estimated cost of $1,200.00.  Hull Middle School SciMaTech Coordinator, Marian Prince was present to answer any questions.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources/Labor Relations Nora Jefferson reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the following:

• Instructional Staff Resigning
• Administrative Staff Resigning
• Employment of Instructional Staff

Consent Board action will be requested at the regular meeting to accept the following donations/grants to the Benton Harbor Area Schools:

• $500 Donation to CAA/G&T from Pri-Mar Petroleum/Exxon Mobil for Student Activities

Following the work session the Board of Education will recess into closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal council contract negotiations and personnel issues.

Superintendent’s Update
The negotiations with Consumers Investment Company for the Central Administration Center purchase have reached an impasse, as their sale price is over the appraised value.  The District will pursue other options for the Central Administration Center location.

Horizon Bank will sponsor the Drive For Success program for the 2006-2007 school year.

Many District holiday concerts, and programs are scheduled for the month of December and each trustee will receive a schedule.

Public Participation
Mr. Renaldo Tripplett addressed the Board of Education congratulating the SciMaTech students and expressing his concerns with sixth grade students, who last attended Boynton Montessori, not returning to the District.  He gave thanks to Board President McGinnis for his email that asked for staff input regarding the selection of a new Superintendent of Schools.  Mr. Tripplett encouraged the Board of Education to seek a superintendent who will continue the BHAS dream and the good things already in place.

Mrs. Virginia Maxwell addressed the Board of Education asking for support in the Silver Beach Carousel Society and the inclusion of a Benton Harbor Area Schools Tiger on the carousel.  Other local school districts will be participating and the BHAS Alumni have agreed to raise the $25,000 needed to take part.

Mrs. Marian Tripplett addressed the Board of Education questioning the consideration for an electronic message board and asked for an update on the current and/or future building renovations.  She stated that while an electronic message board would be nice, so would dry ceiling tiles and working electrical outlets.

Board Comments
Trustee Henry requested that the ceiling tile artwork of high school students be displayed and questioned the Chartwells Food Service staff complaints.

Trustee Smith commended the student artwork displayed on the windows of the Whirlpool building located on Main Street, Benton Harbor.

Trustee McGinnis gave praise to the Hull Middle School SciMaTech students for their qualification in the Lego competition.

The Board recessed to closed session at 6:55 p.m. to discuss with legal council contract negotiations and personnel issues.

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. J. Leonard Wright, Mrs. Virginia Maxwell, Ms. Nora Jefferson, Ms. Sheletha Bobo, Mr. Bill Kaeding, Mr. Don Frobel and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

There being no further business, the December work session was adjourned at 7:50p.m.

This page was last modified : September 11, 2007