Benton Harbor Area Schools

President Dan McGinnis called the June Work Session of the Board of Education to order at 6:00 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, Ms. Lue Buchana and Mrs. Iris Watts

Also Present: Student Board Member Candace Walker

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Recognitions
Student Board members were presented with certificates of appreciation for serving on the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education during the 2006-2007 school year.

Benton Harbor High School Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society Students (MITES) and instructors were recognized for competition in the MITES Regional Competition. Machine manufacturing entries that placed during competition included dumbbells, a gavel and pool cue.

Benton Harbor Area Schools Rocket Club students displayed their rocket, which took First Place in a recent competition in Muskegon for creativity and design.

Praise and recognition was extended to the 2007 D.E.L.T.A. Doll and court.

Food service employees with 25 years of service will be recognized at the regular meeting.

Central Administration
Superintendent Paula Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to establish the 2007-2008 Board of Education organizational meeting date. The proposed date is 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at the Benton Harbor High School Student Commons Area, 870 Colfax Avenue, Benton Harbor.

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:

• JCABA - Electronic Communication Devices
• JHA - Athletics Participation Fee

Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Excelsior Pinnacle Plus Software. The District's instructional and technology divisions have proposed the purchase of Excelsior Pinnacle Plus Software from T-N-T Educational Consulting, Inc., Olivet, Michigan. The proposal is for a two-year period beginning with the 2007-2008 school year at a total cost of $136,930.00. The software program would be implemented at the secondary level during the first year and at the elementary level the following school year. Bill Kaeding and Laura Montey were present to answer any questions.

Business/Finance
In the absence of Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Sheletha Bobo, Superintendent Dawning reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the establishment of school lunch prices for the 2007-2008 school year. There has not been an increase to the school lunch program for many years and due to increased program costs there is a need to increase elementary meals by .25 cents and secondary meals by .35 cents.

Operations/Facilities
Group Director for Operations and Facilities Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the Tri-County Head Start lease agreement modification. Tri-County Council for Child Development (Head Start) has leased the North Shore School building for a number of years for their program. They have requested that an addendum be added to the current lease that extends the lease agreement to 2012 and provides for a twelve (12) month notice from the District to terminate the lease, or thirty (30) days notice in case of an emergency.

Group Director Stephen Mitchell reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve a Charles Gray Teen Center Agreement. The District has been working towards a partnership with the Y.W.C.A. and the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor for the utilization of the Charles Gray Teen Center. An operating agreement has been finalized that includes programming and budget.

Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education J. Leonard Wright reported that Board action would be requested at the regular meeting to approve the 2007-2008 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) resolution. The District must adopt an annual resolution to allow Benton Harbor High School, Fair Plain Renaissance Middle School and Hull Middle School to participate in MHSAA tournaments.

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
• Resignation of Administrative Staff
• Retirement of Instructional Staff
• Approval of 2007-2008 School Calendar
• Special Education Director Recommendation
• Head Football Coach Appointment

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

• AV Equipment Donation from Whirlpool Corporation to BHHS Kuschel Performing Arts Center

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

President McGinnis discussed his recent attendance at a Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) Legislative Conference designed to inform school districts on proposed state budget cuts.

Superintendent's Update
The last day of school for the 2006-2007 school year was Friday, June 1, 2007.

The Benton Harbor High School Class of 2007 Commencement Exercise was held on Friday, June 1, 2007.

The projected Freshman Academy enrollment for the 2007-2008 school year has increased to 400 students and the District is looking at the Career/Technical Center for additional space.

Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Virginia Maxwell is out on Family Medical Leave, due to the illness of a family member.

Public Participation
Mr. Ronnie Brown addressed the Board of Education expressing his concerns with the rumored outsourcing of Benton Harbor Area Schools' service employees. He stated if the District implements the outsourcing the school system will be at risk, the local economy will be impacted and families will be destroyed. Mr. Brown encouraged the Board of Education to look at all alternatives before making this decision.

Mrs. Marian Tripplett addressed the Board of Education commending the student presentations tonight and questioned if there was a change in ownership of the Charles Gray Teen Center, due to the consortium agreement. Mrs. Tripplett questioned if the student uniforms had any impact on academic achievement and also if there was any reciprocation by the District for the anonymous monetary donation.

Four Benton Harbor Area Schools staff and two community residents addressed the Board of Education expressing their concerns with the possibility of outsourcing the District service employees.

Ms. Felicia Smith addressed the Board of Education questioning the additional space needed for the Freshman Academy and if the District can ensure that adequate space is available.

Mr. Chester Henry addressed the Board of Education questioning the justification to purchase an administration building and then outsource the service employees group to save money.

Miss Tadra Smith addressed the Board of Education stating that the physical conditions of Benton Harbor High School are deplorable.

Mr. Charles Harris addressed the Board of Education asking why the District has not blocked My Space on the Internet.

Board Comments
Trustees Buchana and Watts praised all the student presentations and encouraged continued community dialog.

Trustees Henry and Fort stated that the Board of Education has not reviewed the outsourcing proposal and encouraged continued community dialog. The Board of Education is facing hard issues and student achievement will continue to be the District's primary focus.

Trustee Woltman expressed his sadness that there is only community input when the District is facing difficult decisions, as last month the students from the Benton Harbor High School MITES program displayed their machine manufacturing entries at M-Tech and there was very little community support.

Trustee Smith encouraged the community to contact Michigan legislators in Lansing to stop cutting from the state's educational budget.

Trustee McGinnis stated that the District's 2007-2008 operating budget is facing a deficit and creative ways must be established to maintain balance.

There being no further business, the June work session was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

This page was last modified : September 11, 2007