Benton Harbor Area Schools

President Dan McGinnis called the February 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, Mrs. Carolyn Fort, Mr. Ken Woltman, Mr. Anthony Henry (6:30), Ms. Lue Buchana and Mrs. Iris Watts (6:17)

Also Present: Student Board Member 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.

Communications
Trustee Fort read a letter from Governor Granholm that gave thanks to Michigan Public School Systems and urged Board of Educations to speak out regarding the hard time/financially challenged state budget.

Trustee Fort read a letter from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Alumnae Chapter that invited Board trustees to attend a forum sponsored by the local Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in collaboration with the Council For World Class Communities (CWCC), the Community Partnership for Lifelong Learning (CPLL) and the Southwest Michigan Race Relations Council. The forum is scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2007 from 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Southwest Campus of Western Michigan University (at Lake Michigan College) in the multi-purpose room. It is hoped that this forum would provide the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education with relevant and vital information for integration into the search and selection of the new Superintendent of Schools.

Recognitions
In honor of Principals' Week Superintendent Dawning read a resolution from the State of Michigan, Executive Office of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm proclaiming February 11-17, 2007, as Principals' Week in Michigan.

Central Administration
As an informational item, Dale Schreuder, Regional President, Southwest Michigan, Michigan Leadership Institute was present to discuss the Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent search and how the Michigan Leadership Institute can assist the Board of Education in that process. Topics discussed included fees, timeline, application and interview process and final candidate selection.

Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve District policy revisions. The Policy Committee has made a recommendation to revise the following policies:

• CEA - School Superintendent/Qualifications
• CEB - Duties of the Superintendent
• CEC - School Superintendent/Recruitment
• CG - Administrative Personnel
• CGB - Administrative Personnel Positions

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to adopt the regular school election resolution, which designates what is to be voted upon at the regular school election that is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, 2007. Items to be voted on include filling two Board positions and the operating millage renewal.

Assistant Superintendent Sheletha Bobo reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the agreements for reasonable expenses relating to the collection of the 2007 summer school property taxes. An agreement has been reached with five of the eight taxing units located within the District boundaries to collect summer taxes.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Lake Michigan College contractual agreement for Cisco Level One Networking Academy and Web Design Classes. The District has been contracting with Lake Michigan College to provide an instructor for the Web Design and Cisco Networking courses. Per the agreement, the District agrees to pay LMC an amount not to exceed $66,806.00 for the period September 2006 through June 2007. Mrs. Carole Fetke was present to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Benton Harbor High School Key Club Convention trip. The BHHS Key Club has requested to attend the 2007 Michigan District Key Club Convention in Midland, Michigan scheduled for March 23-25, 2007, for ten students and two chaperones. The cost is $155.00 per person, with stipends available through the Key Club. Mr. Ron Lyness was present to answer any questions.

As an informational item, Mrs. Carole Fetke updated the Board of Education on the Professional Health Service Careers Academy and disseminated the Berrien County Career & Technical Education Handbook - Focus and Plan. Trustees received the Professional Health Careers Academy program overview that included program partners, current enrollment, internships, college data and North County program factoids.

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:

• Retirement of Instructional Staff
• Employment of Instructional Staff
• Recall 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:

• $1220.33 Berrien County Resource Recovery Grant to Sorter School

Other
Following the work session the Board of Education will recess to closed session for the purpose of discussing with legal council litigations.

Public Participation
Mr. Michael Carson addressed the Board of Education extending his appreciation for Superintendent Paula Dawning.

Board Comments
Trustees extended their appreciation to the high school culinary arts students for the breakfast in honor of School Board Recognition Month.

Trustee Buchana extended her sympathy to Isaiah Newson for the death of his mother and expressed her appreciation of Sheletha Bobo for her commitment and hard work.

Trustee Fort gave thanks to the Citizens for Progressive Change (CPC) for the breakfast recognizing Benton Harbor High School honor roll students and their families.

Trustee Smith praised the Benton Spirit newspaper for the centerfold featuring Benton Harbor High School honor roll students attending the breakfast.

Trustee Woltman complimented the Creative Arts/Gifted & Talented Academy for their excellent banquet and program that was well attended by parents.

The Board recessed to closed session at 7:16 p.m. to discuss with legal council litigations, via a conference call.

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

Also Present: Dr. Paula Dawning, Ms. Nora Jefferson, Ms. Sheletha Bobo, and Attorney K. Morris Gavin

There being no further business, the work session was adjourned at 9:45p.m.

This page was last modified : September 11, 2007