Benton Harbor Area Schools

President Dan McGinnis called the April 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 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.

Recognitions
The winner of the Parent Essay Contest will be recognized at the regular Board of Education meeting.

In honor of Month of the Young Child the preschoolers sang songs for the Board trustees and a certificate of appreciation was given to Director of Student Assessment Sharon Hatfield for her outstanding dedication to the district.

Central Administration
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 policy: IDD - Curriculum Design/Special Programs

Business/Finance
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo reported that the Michigan Department of Education has requested that the General Fund Budgetary Control Report be reviewed by the Board of Education each month. Any discussion regarding the report is to take place at the regular school board meeting. The report shows the budget, actual and projection of the District's revenues and expenditures.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the renewal of the Food Service Management Contract. On July 18, 2006, the Board of Education awarded a one-year contract to Chartwells School Dining to manage the food service for the District. The contract calls for a possible extension up to four additional years.

Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2007 Summer Lunch Program. The District has sponsored the program for a number of years, which provides nutritious meals to children who might not otherwise have meals available. The program also provides summer jobs for District residents and is reimbursed 100% by the USDA.

As an informational item, Group Director Mitchell reported that the Operations and Facilities Committee met and authorized the District to negotiate an offer to Galien Public Schools for equipment that was purchased by them, but was never used. Items include unit ventilators, rooftop units, fan coil units, exhaust fans, valves, doors and frames.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Virginia Maxwell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2007 Elementary Summer School program. An Elementary Summer School program has been planned for approximately 150 students currently enrolled in grades 2-5. The program will be located at Fair Plain West Elementary School and is funded by Title I. The Summer Book Club - a part of the summer school program will be hosted at Boynton Montessori School. Mr. Paul Lee was available to answer any questions.

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve an honorary high school diploma. A longtime community resident in her early 70's has been trying to obtain her high school diploma for several years. After the BHAS Adult Education Program closed, she continued to obtain a Michigan GED certificate, passing four out of five sections of the test. Due to serious health problems and the nature of the situation the Board of Education is asked to issue an honorary high school diploma.

Assistant Superintendent J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a Freshman Academy Student Council trip to New York City. The historical field trip is scheduled for May 6-10, 2007, to visit such sites as The Apollo Theatre, Madison Square Garden, Ground Zero, NBC Studios and the United Nations building. The trip is proposed for 45-50 students and at least seven chaperones at a cost of $280.00 per student.

Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve an agreement with the Community Partnership for Lifelong Learning (CPLL) organization to provide a High School Completion Program for adults. The CPLL would administer classes and provide certified teachers for instruction. Students would receive a BHAS diploma and participate in Benton Harbor High School graduation ceremonies. The program is targeted to begin summer 2007.

Assistant Superintendent J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Benton Harbor Rocket Team trip to Muskegon, Michigan to compete in an Aerospace Challenge scheduled for April 27 - 28, 2007. Six students from the Benton Harbor High School Science & Engineering Academy and three teacher chaperones would attend the event. Mr. Paul Schuyler was present to answer any questions.

Dr. J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Freshman Academy Social Studies Olympiad competition in Romulus, Michigan scheduled for April 21, 2007. The proposed competition includes 25 students and three teacher chaperones. A PowerPoint presentation was shown on the Michigan Social Studies Olympiad XXI competition.

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:

• Resignation of Instructional Staff
• Possible Non-Renewal of Contracts
• 2006-2007 Salary Treatment for Non-Union Employees
• Layoff 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:

• $77,519.00 Safe and Drug Free Schools Grant
• $500.00 Donation From Second Baptist Church to Assist District Family Victims of Fire
• $300.00 Donation From Second Baptist Church to Assist in Transportation Costs for Habitat for Humanity Project in Louisiana
• $200.00 Donation From Southwestern Michigan Ministerial Alliance to Assist in Transportation Costs for Habitat for Humanity Project in Louisiana
• 685 Books Donated (292 hardbacks & 393 paperbacks) from Whirlpool African American Network to BHHS Library

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

Superintendent's Update
Education YES! is Michigan's system of school accreditation. The system includes components for student achievement, measuring both status and change, and a measurement of Indicators of School Performance. This year's information has been completed and the information has been submitted to the Department of Education.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent's Scholarship Banquet is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2007.

Public Participation
Ms. Alicia Norman addressed the Board of Education expressing her concerns for her two daughters' education.

Mr. Larry Streeter addressed the Board of Education to discuss the Science Olympiad competition that will be held at Lake Michigan College.

Ms. Pamela Miller addressed the Board of Education to discuss the efforts of the Citizens for Progressive Change steering committee, Citizens for Better Schools initiative.

Mr. Troy Rolland addressed the Board of Education announcing his candidacy in the upcoming Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education election as a write-in candidate.

The Board recessed to closed session at 6:50 p.m. to discuss with legal council personnel issues.

There being no further business, the April work session was adjourned at 9:27p.m.

This page was last modified : September 11, 2007