Benton Harbor Area Schools

The March regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President Dan McGinnis at 6:02 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 (6:15), Ms. Lue Buchana (6:10) and Mrs. Iris Watts

Also Present: Student Board Member Abraham Chopin

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

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

THAT the Minutes of the special meeting of February 9, 2007 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the work session of February 13, 2007 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the public hearing of February 13, 2007 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the regular meeting of February 20, 2007 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the special meeting of February 22, 2007 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the special meeting of February 27, 2007 be approved as printed;

THAT the Minutes of the special meeting of February 28, 2007 be approved as printed.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Vendor Payments
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mrs. Smith that vendor payments in the amount of $1,540,638.24 be approved for payment.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

Recognitions
Praise and recognition was given to the District winners of the “Eat Learn Live” Student Essay Contest. Chartwells Food Service Director David Rose presented prizes to the following students and also donated two sets of Dr. Seuss books to the District.

• Soledad Martinez - McCord - Bike & Helmet
• Tamisha Hill - Fair Plain Northeast - Bike & Helmet
• Keith William - McCord - Scooter & Helmet
• Yantrell McDowell - McCord - Scooter & Helmet
• Brandon Mimes - BHHS - $25 Gift Card
• Shanta Wilkins - BHHS - $25 Gift Card

Recognition was given to Morton Elementary School for receiving A Best Practice Award from HOSTS Learning, for their outstanding Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) Program. Mrs. Sharon Russell was present to accept the certificate of achievement.

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 contract with the Michigan Association of School Boards, Lansing MI for the purpose of selecting a new District superintendent.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #2
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT effective immediately 03-05-14-HMS and 11-05-09-SA be allowed to return as students in the Benton Harbor Area Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

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

Tuesday, March 13, 2007 before, during or following the regular meeting of the Board of Education on that date, and

Tuesday, April 10, 2007 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.

Business/Finance
Staff Report #4
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the borrowing resolution, as prepared by Thrun Law Firm.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #5
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education adopt the bond authorizing resolution to finance the renovations at Stump and MLK Schools.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Operations/Facilities
Staff Report #6
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education declare the Technical Center as surplus property. Further, that a minimum bid price of $200,000.00 be placed on the property. The remaining industrial equipment is priced at $50,000.00. Bidders may bid on each separately or as a package.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Instruction
As an informational item, Johns Hopkins University Representatives Irdeen Britt and Doug Elmer presented an update on the Smaller Learning Communities, Freshman Academy. Key points discussed included Key Components of the Talent Development High Schools Model, Evidence of Success, Characteristics of Freshman Academy and Freshman Grade Point Averages. Six Freshman Academy students and two parents gave their testimonials on the impact of the Freshman Academy in preparing them for high school and the positive learning environment.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Sorter Elementary School fifth grade trip to Mackinac Island scheduled for May 14-17, 2007.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #8
A motion was made by Mrs. Smith and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Middle School Summer School Program for the 2006-2007 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Benton Harbor High School Summer School Program for the 2006-2007 school year.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the Tour of Black Colleges trip scheduled for March 24-31, 2007.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #11
A motion was made by Ms. Buchana and supported by Mr. Henry:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the BHHS Construction Trades trip to Slidell, Louisiana, scheduled for April 1-8, 2007.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Human Resources/Labor Relations
Staff Report #12
A motion was made by Mr. Woltman and supported by Ms. Buchana:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education vote to accept the retirement of Diane Grzesick, effective at the end of the 2006-2007 school year and that a letter is sent thanking her for 27 years of service to the students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

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

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education accept the resignation notice of Ms. Alexandra Davis and that a letter is sent thanking her for her service to the students and the District.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Staff Report #14
A motion was made by Ms. Buchana and supported by Mr. Woltman:

THAT the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education approve the following revisions to the 2006-2007 School Calendar:

1. Friday, November 3, 2006 - Change form _ day Students to _ day Professional Development.
2. Friday, April 27, 2007 - Change from _ day Students, _ day Professional Development to Full Day Students.

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Consent
Staff Report #15
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.

• $1600.00 Donation from Steven & Katherine Bratschie to BHAS Girls Volleyball Program

The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Superintendent's Update
An Elementary Science Olympiad was held today.

The Herald-Palladium featured a nice article regarding the M.L.K. Freshman Academy in Sunday's paper.

This week the District is administering the MEAP/Merit Exams, unfortunately the State Department shortchanged the District on testing materials and those materials were not received until this morning. Tenth grade students were placed at the Fair Plain Northwest Learning Academy to allow for quiet time at the high school.

The 2006-2007 school year will be extended due to the numerous snow days.

The Varsity Mens Basketball team won the District Championship and will be playing tonight competing in the Regionals.

Public Participation
Ms. Roxanne Jones addressed the Board of Education promoting a Benton Harbor High School Tiger Marching Band raffle and car wash fundraiser.

Mr. Darrell Pargo addressed the Board of Education questioning the protocol for District employees who have criminal convictions.

Mr. Dennis Cooper addressed the Board of Education commending Ruth Watson and Stephen Mitchell for their efforts with Bosch student scholarships and questioned the troubles of the District.

Ms. Lorraine Garland addressed the Board of Education discussing a summer internship at WBHC-96.5 Radio Station for students interested in broadcasting.

Mr. Trenton Bowens addressed the Board of Education commending those trustees who participated in today's student forum.

Board Comments
Student Board member Abraham Chopin extended his apologies to those trustees who attended the BHHS student forum for those students who lack in communication skills and their inappropriate comments.

Trustee Buchana encouraged parents to stay involved in their children's education and to enforce students wearing uniforms.

Trustees Watts, Henry and McGinnis commended the Freshman Academy for their positive learning environment.

Trustee Woltman extended his appreciation to the Creative Arts/Gifted & Talented Academy for their excellent performance at Exchange Club today.

Trustee Fort expressed her enjoyment participating in the Read Across America with Dr. Seuss at Morton Elementary School.

Trustee Smith commended Dr. J. Leonard Wright for his leadership in changing the atmosphere at Hull Middle School.

There being no further business, the March regular meeting of the Board of Education was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

This page was last modified : September 11, 2007