This meeting is a meeting of the board of education and public for the purpose of conducting the school district's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. This meeting is an in-person meeting held at 870 Kfax here in Benton Harbor. In addition, a live stream of this meeting is available
at the following link. Questions may be submitted beforehand to Natalie.bhas.org or were presented in person during the public comment section as indicated in the agenda. Board members may be contacted through the emails listed below. Requests for special assistance,
including for persons with disabilities, may be sent to Natalie. Bhas.org. I call this meeting to order officially at 5:32 p.m. We'll begin by reciting the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Secretary Triple King, please call the role. President Robinson, yes. Vice
President Bourne, Secretary Triplet, present. Treasure Bradley, Trustee Rocket Martin, present. Trustee Gavin, present. Trusty Doyle. Madame President, a quorum has been
established. All right. So, next on the agenda, we have approval of the agenda. As a reminder, this special meeting is specifically for our budget hearing. So, our item of business for the 5:30 meeting is the budget hearing um and
presentation, a board question and answer, and then a public Q&A if anyone arrives that would like to ask a question. So, at this time, I ask, is there a motion to approve the agenda? I so move. Is there a second or support?
The motion has been made by Secretary Triplet and supported by Trusty Rocket Martin. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none. Secretary Triplet. President Robinson. Yes. Vice President Bowens. Yes. Secretary Triplet. Yes.
Trusty Rocket Martin. Yes. Trustee Gavin. Yes. Motion carry. All right. Up next on the agenda is the review of our board norms. The board of education norms for Benton Harour Area Schools. We will treat each other with respect. We will listen to learn. We will refrain
from side conversations. We will use our time wisely. starting and ending our meetings on time. We will challenge ideas, not people. We will ask questions when in doubt. There will be no surprise at the board table. We will practice the seven norms of collaboration.
Those are pausing, paraphrasing, posing questions, putting ideas on the table, providing data, paying attention to self and others, and presuming positive intent. All right. Next up on the agenda is public comment on agenda items. Is there anyone present
that would like to make a public comment on an agenda item? Hearing none, we'll proceed. Up next, we have the budget hearing and presentation. It's being led by Dr. Buts with of course assistance from um Brock Carter
as needed and Dr. Buts is going to present to the board. Good afternoon. This afternoon I'll be send be presenting to you the budget proposal for the 2526 school year. This executive summary outlines the proposed budget for
the Benton Harvey area schools for the fiscal year 2526. This the budget prioritizes enhancing educational quality while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Key allocations include investments in curriculum development, teacher training,
technology upgrades, and support modern learning environments. Additionally, provisions have been made for facilities, maintenance, and student support services to ensure a conducive learning atmosphere. The budget propos proposal aims to optimize resources to
meet academic goals while addressing operational needs effectively. Comprehensive financial planning and transparent allocation strategies are integral to achieving our mission of providing a superior educational experience for all students at Ben Harour Area Schools.
The vision of Ben Harour Area Schools is committed to be the best in academics, athletics, and the arts. We believe that we are responsible for providing quality education. Education is a lifelong process for students, parents, and guardians. We value
diversity, equity, and inclusion by understanding, respecting, and believing in the worth of every person. Ben Har schools employs teachers, parents, caregivers, and students to to be the best.
Let me read that again. Ben Har schools always strive to have employees, teachers, parents, students, caregivers to strive to be their best. Sorry about that. We want to ensure that the student education and learning will infect will reflect integrity and ethics. We strive
to make a relevant educational progress process that reflects the work ethic necessary to prepare students to become productive in a 21st century global society. The purpose of this plan is to be fiscally responsible and to be able
to maximize each dollar to support the achievement of our student staff. This plan reflects the programmatic goals set by the superintendent and the board of education. Our budget hearing goals will be to comply with uniform budgeting act budgeting and accounting act provide a
summary on proposed budget and receive input from the board of education and public on budgets. Currently, the district faces challenges related to declining enrollment and the ending of the elementary and secondary emergency fund relief, also known as
ESRE grants. So, the board approves each function by function code. The basic accounting identifier for expenditure, it it describes the activity for which a service or material is acquired. I'm sorry. I didn't know. Next. Next.
Okay. I'm sorry. So, uh, the the presentation is behind you all. I think I need to turn this podium on around so I can keep up. So, on your slides you have in front of you and the one that's on the board, what I was talking about are the function codes. These are how we
identify the areas of where the funds come from by the different function codes. The basic functional category operated by most districts are instructional, pupil support, instructional staff support, general administration, business service
operations, maintenance, transportation, central services, community services, and facilities acquisition. Budgets are presented by fund. So the first one will be the general fine. So if you look at yours, the budget
goals are to increase academic performance, increase culture and climate for students and staff, and increase community family engagement opportunities. General fund primary operating fund and organizational unit. We're going to review the revenues, expend, the
expenses, and the fund balance. The revenue source, as you can see, our local expendit expected revenue sources are $7,498,000. State revenue sources are that we expect
to receive is $1,84. Excuse me. 11,84,220. Federal funds expected to be received are 5,483,000. Incoming transfers and other funds that are expected to re be received equals up
to $419,000. for the total revenues expected for the 2526 school year 24,484,220 expenditures by object. So as you will see on this slide personnel salary and benefits amount to
$20 million46 20,463. This is without doing any cuts. This is everyone in the district's salary expenses. Capital expenditures are those expenditures on our projects and other uh capital projects we're doing such as
the roof, finishing out the boilers, the track, etc. We expect to be $1.5 million. Other expenditures $60,56 purchase services $9,88
my excuse me 9,88,484 supplies those are total supplies throughout the school district 1 million235,753 our total expenses for next year are projected to be 31 million $884
7 30 million 31,884,756. Yes, sir. So I I'm looking here at the school personnel. Yes, sir. And so I guess I've been asking this question for some time now. when we talk
about uh um there are are the general fund and certain positions uh it is the responsibility of the district that they must come out of the general fund. So I
don't see that number here. So when you present like this to the public um the 20 what is it 20 million? Yes sir. 463 24,484,000.
No, it says personnel salary and benefit. Okay. You're saying that's $20 million goal for personnel salary and benefit. Yes, sir. So question is this all of these when when you look at the
the personnel all of the salary these salary all of these salaries do not come out of the general fund. Is that correct? they come out of the general fund at the end of the day. So what the general fund is broken up into different pots of money. So you have your your we have our
title one funds and other grant funds that all go into the general funds and then they they are then dispersed to different accounts throughout that that's what I want that that that's where the clarification because I keep getting the same thing that everything goes into everything is looked upon as
the general fund but these are different sources. Well, when we talk about if if if if I look at this the what percentage or what is the amount I don't need that now these are just questions for myself. No. Okay.
What is the amount of personnel that comes out of the actual general fund? not title, not any other uh uh uh position or any other sources of funding
out of the general fund. What would be the number is a question that I would ask and try to get some clarification on. That's number one when we breaking it down like that. Okay. Okay. And because when we present
this, it looked like our total expenses uh supersedes what we have. They could turn that off. We having a discussion. Yeah, we can turn that off for this for this year tonight, please. Thank you. So, um yeah. So, I just need
clarification on on that. I' I've been asking and I I have an idea of what it is. And so the responses that I'm getting is not matching with what I I guess I'm going to say what I think I know. Okay. So if you go back to the
function codes, that's how we decipher out where those funds come from. So it to the general public, they wouldn't know that. So you have access to the function codes. If you go back a few slides where we where I was talking about function codes familiar with it. So the local, state,
federal and so when you start talking about the different uh expenditures they have different codes to them. So with that within that that's where you get the grant money. So when I talk about title one some salaries is paid out of title one but a person cannot be fully
funded out of title one. Okay. 31A which is for security. 31A is for special ed. So we can put some of those salaries in there but not the the entire salary in there. So some of it is is grant funded and the other half is general fund. General funding. So I and I'm familiar with supplanting and when you're talking
about those types of things that you cannot supplant. That's correct. And that those things must be used the way in which they were designed to be used. Yes, sir. But there is a hardcore group of people uh when it comes to the general fund funding itself, there's a
hard core that says this must come directly out of the general fund. Correct. Okay. So if if if I been asked this question, you might be able to answer it. When a district is identified as having a deficit. Yes, sir. Is that
based on the general fund that they've overgrown have gone beyond the general fund or is that all of the other function code included in that as well? So you can have two different types of deficits.
You can have a general fund deficit, a fun a a general fund balance deficit, which means we don't have enough to start the school year, or we can have a structural deficit, which is what we're looking at now. A general fund balance, meaning we don't have enough, means we have to borrow money from the treasury
because we have no money in the bank. We have no fund balance. Ben Harbor has a huge fund balance. We have money in the bank. We have a structural imbalance which means our expenditures exceed our revenues
at this present time. At this present time, there can be some revisions to the budget under your new incoming administration to correct those or to adjust or to adjust. Yes, sir. Because there are a lot of variables that happen because you know it might be
an overabundant a flood of new student coming. Correct. school of choice has a big plays a big part of this. Yes, sir. Thank you so much. You're welcome. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you. Can you all hear me?
Okay. Um my question is about the revenue sources local. Can you go a Is that just local taxes? Is that everything that we get? Like
what is that? So yes. Yes, ma'am. That those are the local taxes that we receive um from from our tax collections. Okay. So all of that is taxes. All of that is taxes. Okay. When you say income transfers and others, Yes
ma'am. that means money balance brought over. So income so income incoming transfers and others. that's if another a student comes to our district. So a lot of times we think that when we have a number right at the beginning of the
school year that that's the finality. But no, if a student comes say in December, the state has a formula to figure out. So we may not get the full uh FTE, which is $10,000, but we'll get a large portion of that because they came at a certain time. So what we do is
make a projection of what we expect, and that's for uh private school as well. And that's where we get the incoming funds. So it could be it could be for private school or it could be students transferring in etc. Okay. Thank you. So this is our revenue sources. Yes ma'am.
Right. Is there anything else in the form of revenues that we get that may not be reported here like that $500,000 in the Hobart funds, education foundations, donations,
other grants, you know what I mean? like right is there another source of revenue that may not be uh shown on this page. So those are revenues that we have access to but we can't count them as our revenue because we they are coming from
a different source. So they're they're not a one-time source. So for example, the Benhar Education Foundation, we can they are set so that we can make our different ask. They're set up for the Ben Harour area schools. So there says we can make make different ask and they can pay for certain things that they
vote to pay for but we can't count that as our recurring revenue because we don't know what they'll actually pay for. It's the it's the independent board. They make the vote. So we we don't know what they'll actually vote for. Right. Okay. So when we look at this this additional funds that we have
that's not shown on this paper, is that like just the additional money that's sitting in the bank? I I guess what I'm wondering is how could one see the additional funds that we have that are
not necessarily shown on this graph? So go can't hear you. You can Did anybody know what was happening tonight? Okay. I wanted to just speak on that. um any funds that any um it
wouldn't be considered revenue u if it's funds that we already have. Those will be our assets. So that's why it wouldn't be shown on the incoming revenue source because once we've received the revenue and we bank it, it it's now an
asset. It's no longer revenue. Thank you for that. So I guess what I'm wondering is is there where would we look to see on the monthly reports that I share every month with the board?
Right. Okay. So it's not in here. No, it's not a part of our budget. Our budget is just to outline our revenue and expenses. Is it something that in the future if we wanted to have that as an added uh piece
of information to know the assets that we have access to? Actually, in the next meeting, we'll go over the monthly reports and it'll be there. It's there every month and and you can see it anytime. Okay. Just as a FYI, do you
know the assets that we have access to in addition to our revenues? Um, I will have to pull up the report, but I have the dollar amount. Yes. Okay. Thank you. He's got a mic. Any other questions before I move on? You can keep that,
Miss. Yeah, Madam President. I just asked a quick technology know we were having a a meeting tonight. Okay. Thank you. With the Miss uh Trustee Gavin's mic has been I understand, Miss uh Rocket Martin. I do understand, but I'm
just saying for the last four or five meetings, Trustee Gather's microphone has not been in operation. Yeah. Thank you. So, if you flip to the next slide and
look at general fund balance, on this side, you'll see um general fund balance for the beginning of the 25 26 school years. is projected to be 24 million24.8 million. The defined net assets or raining day funds MDE requires uh
recommends that at least 5% of state revenue as remains in net assets at the end of the year and they uh MDE and Treasury also requires a school district to maintain a healthy fund balance. So this one right here is a a
chart that where you see from historically um from 1415 to 23 24 up to the 2526 school year the growth that Ben Harbor has made and that's exceptional. That is exceptional growth. Exceptional.
Yes ma'am. Quick question. Yes ma'am. MDE recommends that we're at a 5%. Can uh can you or director Rock Carter tell us what our percentage is of state revenue uh remains?
And that'll include the fund balance too. So we are or what it would be with this uh recommended budget. Should give it to you in just a second. And just for the record, I would normally be chairing at this particular
time, but I think the meeting will be a little more fluid, allowing Dr. Bus to call for questions. I would just ask that you all do uh be mindful and respectful of each other's question time and not overt talk each other. But you can Okay.
Andrew, take 4 million from the 24 million and then do the percentage of that because that's what we typically start off with. Last year we start off with 4 million. So, I'll go from last year's budget. 5% of 20 million is $1,40,000.
So, we're over 5%. Right. But I'm wondering what is our percentage? That's my question. Cuz if 5% is their recommendation, my question is what is our percentage? Just a second. I'll I'll get it for you.
Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. So when we do the division, we should be at 60% of fund balance. Okay. Thank you. So the state recommends 5% and we're at
60%. Yes, ma'am. Thank you so much. Sorry it took me so long. You got me with that. I didn't have a calculator. So on the next slide. On the next slide. Thank you. Uh the summer general fund the beginning fund balance again for the 2526 school year
is projected to be 24 million 24.8 million. The revenue estimate which is money coming in is estimate estimated to be 24.4 million. Estimated expenses 31.8
million. An ending balance of 17.4 4 million at the end of the school year. But the net change to the fund balance, which is a net change to the 24.8 million that we have, will be a negative $7.4 million change bal uh change in
fund balance. That's that's that's minusing from the from the fund from the fund balance that we have. Now, can can we we got to be clear because a lot of people get confused. We are not
at a deficit. We are not in debt. We are not $7 million in debt. We are spending more than we did before. We had more money and we have 17.4
million in our fund balance. That's on the plus side in the green. It's still on the plus side, but it's we're spending seven. you will have a change, a net change or a minus a deduction
of 7.4 million. You will still have 17.4 million total in your fund balance. So no, no, not that Ben Har will not be in a deficit. They will not have $24 million. They will have $17 million. No
deficit. If they do what? We have to we have to be clear on that. And we need to be clear. If we were on the same trajectory, it would be 17 million. If desire to make changes, that number could go well back up. If there are more
students who transfer in, that number could go exceedingly high. Yeah. So, and I just want to make sure because I know we all clearly understand what that means, but I don't want you all to be shocked. We know how um we know that
that there has to be public reporting from the media as it relates to our potential budget. And so I don't know if you all saw a recent article pertaining to Lakeshore public schools being 1.4 million in the red. There would be a similar article potentially. I would not
be shocked indicating that we're 7. I can't hear you. Can you speak a little louder? So, I just I was saying with even with us understanding that clarification, I just want to make sure that people understand that you may see media reports that indicate that we're 7.4 million in the red, similarly to how
they did recently with Lakeshore Public Schools. So, that narrative will be out there, but like you all said, it's important for the public to to understand that that just means that we are taking that 7.4 formed from general fund and essentially spending more than
we're receiving in that in that particular year. But it does not mean that we are broke. Madame President, yes. Um had had an amazing meeting with the director of finance. And I guess what we're trying
to project to the public for clarification purposes, the way in which it went out was like Ben Harvard was $8 million um the $16 million. Now you're down. You're going to your go to your $24 million that you have um for rainy day
or what that you have there. And right now we're at 16 million. That's not true. Okay. These right here were just projections that if we continue at this rate, if students do not move, if if students do
not come, if we don't go through and really rehash um how it is that we're going to be moving if we don't take these vacant positions off the book. This right here is just but but for clarification purposes, that is not the
case. We have $24 million that we have not had to d we will not have to dip into. We have not had to dip into and it has not been touched and our current budget we are not over in any wise and
that's what we need to get in layman's term to our public. So there are some discussions and loads of ways in which we'll be able to do things because we as board members have to take it upon ourselves and I would I would encourage anybody who has not met
with a director of finance to really take that time because I got a lot of clarification today and I thank you for that um director Carter I appreciate that. Thank you Mr. Triplet. On the next slide
you will see summary budget by function. So we have three columns here. We have the audited column that we had in 2324, the actual year-to date as of 53125, and then the budget, the projected
budget for the 2526 school year. So local revenues audited in 2324 was 9,91,224. Actual year to date revenues 8,448,390
as of 53125. The budgeted amount for the fiscal year 2526 from local funds 7,498,000 from state audited 2324
11,71,477 actual year to date 8,55,782 and for the budgeted for the 2526 school year 11,84,220. Federal revenues audited for the 2324 year 23,528,159.
Actual year to date 11,531, excuse me, 11,531,446 budgeted for 2526 federal revenues is $5,483,000. Incoming and transfers audited for the
2324 year school year was $527,360. actual year to date $566,512 and budgeted for the 2526 school year of incoming and transfers and others $419,000. So total revenues which were audited for
2324 were 44 million218,220 actual year to date as of 53125 total revenues that Benton Harour has 29 million52,131 budgeted for the 2526 school year $24,484,220.
Mr. Tri, so um I guess while he's asking his question, I'm sorry. Which page are you on with what you were just reading? Summary budget by the summary. Okay. Okay. Thank you. I want is it okay for me to ask for clarification from our finance?
So when we say um audited because when you look at 23 24 that was still some esser funding and what have you. When you say audited, when you say uh year-to- date actual and then what's budgeted for the 2025
26 school year, can you break that down and tell me what is audited? What is audited? What is year to date and then what's budgeted? Because I I I'm clear on the fact that we're budgeting and we're lowballing just in case we don't make it there. So, I do understand
that that technique. So that's that that's amazing to be able to look at it. But can you explain that to me? Each category when we say audited. Yes. Actual. Yeah. Yeah. The first column that says physical year 23 24 audited that is the financial statements
that were created by our auditors after they went through and audited our entire school year and all of our transactions and everything we've done for the year. Um that those were the final numbers from our audit reports. Um you should
all have a copy of it, right? That the gentleman came and went over with us. Those numbers came from that report. And the second column is the year-to-day actual. that is based on the actual transactions that have gone through our
accounting system and that have posted to our accounts through our accounting system at from July 1st, 2024 to May 31st, 2025. And then the physical year 2526 budget
column is our projections for next school year. Great. Go ahead, Miss Gavin. Okay. So, thank you for that. With there being a sizable difference between the audited
and the actual, does that difference mean that it's carried over? No. The audited is from a year ago uh 23 24 school year. The actual is for 24 25 school years. So
they're two different years. Right. Right. I What I'm saying is the audited that means what we had. Right. Right. Okay. And that that contributed to our $24.8 million fund balance.
Right. So I guess my question is the audited is 44 million plus the actual is 29 million plus the difference of that. Well, did any of that have to go back or
No, if you look at if you look at net revenue at the bottom after expenses that 6 million uh 420,978 that is the portion of the revenue that went into our fund balance
and the other portion excuse me look I think I know exactly what you're And so for the 400 the 44,218,220 that was the total revenue for the 2324
school year that was with ESRE funds in it. So when you look all the way down so before I go down but when I go across what we have in the bank today as a five well what we have in the bank as a 531 thank you so much was 29 million52,131.
So when you look at the bottom and we look at total expenses under the under the 23 24 year the total expenses for that year was 37,797,242 but that was because we had ESA funds too and we had some onetime expenditures
within that year. So the actual year to date as of 531 May 31 of 2025 and our reserves we had 28 million 379,172. So what I'm saying is prior to that we
never we we've never gone into a deficit because we had enough money to cover those expenditures with the ESSA funds. I I get that. I get that. Thank you. I'm just asking about the difference to the difference. Is it a portion goes back if we don't spend it? It goes into
assets. It goes into our It's a carryover. So, it's just carried over. Carried over. We can we can carry over a certain amount every year. Okay. Thank you. But for clarification purposes, when we look at this year-to- date actual, that does not mean what we had in the account. That means exactly what
we have spent up to this point. No, no. Expenditures. Yes. But revenues is what we have in the account. Right. No. Revenue is what we have received in deposits, right? So it's not what we have, it's what we received because this right here is still moving. Because when
you fluid Yeah. Yeah. When you report to us, you say sometimes that we we've only dealt with 40% of what it is that has actually been in there. And I think the board has to be clear on that. So right up to date right now if we look at the
top the 29 million is what our finance director has has cleared through all of our accounts and that's what has been spent through all of our accounts to date. That's what has been received in revenue in okay yeah total expenses is what we
have spent. Okay. Okay. Yeah. But the difference is just year you know 23 24 versus 2425 the difference in the revenue is just based on the income that we receive right you know so if you know
I don't want to use the term carryover because it's not quite a carryover because it's the start of a new year and the net at the bottom the revenue the income after expenses that net revenue revenue is really what
we're banking. Does that make sense? It does. On top of the 24 million. Well, that that was 2324. So, that is included in the 24 million. So, if you look at the bottom, we started 2324 year we had $18 million in
our fund balance. Right. At the end of 2324, now we have 24 million because we gained the 6 million that went in. Correct. That's it. Okay, cool. So at the bottom you'll see at the very the net revenue total expenditures
and the net revenue the net uh the actual revenues after we've paid our expenditures from that 2324 and actual year to date of this year $672,959 as I just said with our beginning fund balance on the slide
before and our expected revenue and expenditures, there's a net difference of a negative $7 million. That but that's not saying that we're going in debt. That's just a change in revenue and expenditures.
question is and that's where we need to get clarification that when we look at these basic programs what's been budgeted for the 2526 school year
based on what's happening right now because when we look at even what we what was presented to us as it relates to jobs being cut um positions being uh removed and wiped off. There were
eight to nine positions on there that were already vacant, but you still had that down on Okay, you still had that down on the books. So if those if those positions are vacant, even though those numbers
are there, when we report out like that, we you know that's that that's a lot of money that if they're vacant, they just need to be moved off the book. But the way that it presents and then it goes into where it shows that there's a possibility of a $7 million, $8 million
deficit, that's not the case. There weren't 31 jobs that were wiped out or that when we went through and counted, there were nine to 10 positions that were vacant. No one was in those positions anyhow. And so, it's a discussion. It is it it is a
conversation to say we don't need an assistant uh superintendent of instruction. We don't have that position anymore. We don't have uh an assistant in human resources. So, that's all. We haven't spent any money. we haven't lost any money because we've never it was
never there. And so those are the things that I think that has to be tightened up when we're presenting to the public and even when we're presenting to this board of education because I believe that there's no there there's not one
question that is wrong if you don't know the answer and and and it's okay to ask. But when we put that stuff out there, the way in which it came out, the news media took it, they going to lose 31 jobs. Oh my god. And everybody went to
March and how and it's a $8 million. That's not true. This this this is a living this budget is alive. This budget is up for discussion. This budget is not finished and
finalized. And so the fear tactic and those types of things, what it what it what it did to the community, hopefully in the future, these types of things will not happen. They definitely will not happen
and we will be when it's presented to us, this type of stuff will not go out. This is no reflection on anybody. But this right here has that playbook is closed. That playbook is over. You know, you got $20 million, $24 million sitting over here. Yeah, we got a $7 million
deficit. Make it make sense. That that was a thing that went out in this community. That's what I want clarification on as it relates to this budget hearing. So to give some clarity on that, until the board desires, until the new administration comes in and
takes it a good evaluation and looks at the positions, if those positions remain, you'll be at a negative $7 million out of the 24 million. Maybe. Maybe. I said if notice I said if I'm I'm being very careful with the wording.
If the administ new incoming administration and the board does not make the necessary changes, you possibly were looking at a net change, right, of a negative 7 million to the to the 24 million. That's what and that's what
that's what I'm saying the clarification and that if you know there's some things that need to be worked on and negotiated and there's a possibility that it can't be but just to say you know that's not those are the things that we you know because I think the board is working
extremely hard um as it relates to what it is the image that's going out and and and so our president who stood firm in her resolve and support said listen I'll stand alone on this and So whatever backlash that I get, we're standing with
this and and and thank God it wasn't an overabundance of backlash, but she should never have to put herself in that position. Neither one of us should have to ever put ourselves in that position when that is not the case. It's not specifically the case. It could be, but
it's not specifically. And I'm so excited about, you know, as you close out and the things that you guys have talked about and where you are and what you worked on as you exit. I really appreciate that because now we have a clearer picture of how we can function and move forward responsibly if you
will. Thank you. Okay. So on the next side, can I add a comment? I'm sorry. I have permission to speak. Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. Chair but in this moment. Um, and and just to go along with what Secretary Triplet is
trying to convey, the board is aware that there is work that is needed as it relates to our budget. However, the law requires that we approve a budget as of June 30th. Currently, where we stand with projections, this is what is anticipated. However, the board is fully
aware and has agreed in previous meetings that it will continue to work with administration and looking at the budget and making adjustments. And so we are going to be pursuing approval of the budget later this evening with the
understanding that there will be future amendments and future adjustments to the budget that will reflect a different um net balance. So, while this is where we stand currently, there is much work to be done and the board of education and
the district are committed to obtaining a more structurally sound budget for 2025 2026. Thank you, Madam President, for your clarification. You're welcome. We'll see if they they probably won't quote that sound bite, though. Yeah, right. But you have there's only search
board that get that stuff within the paper. just said, "Thank you so much, Madam President." I don't know what they don't say anything I say. They don't say anything the president say. I don't know what's going on. I've been watching. So, on the next slide, you'll see the
2425 fiscal year in budget revision. Basically, it says updating revenue and expenditure accounts, utility and other maintenance account adjustments and other adjustments. So, that's speaking to uh what President Robinson just said. There are some revisions updating of revenue that will be forthcoming. Thank
you. On the next slide, the approved 25 millillage rates, state levy are six mills, operating millage 18 mills, sinking fund 2 mills, total K through 12 26 millals. There are no change in the mills uh from the local federal state
taxes. On the next one, next slide, it just has the the annual we do. Can you go back to that local meals thing? Do you know?
Sorry. Do you know how many dollars dollars that our district? So, I know people can fill out an application and get exempt from the millillage. Do you know how many in our tax base a
number-wise of how many people are doing that? And how much money is that costing the district by them doing exempt? So when they do that, they have to be a property owner. So if they're renting, they're not eligible to exempt. Correct. So for the ones that actually own property and do the exemption, I'm not
sure at this moment, but I can get you that number. Thank you. Do our director of finance have that? No, that will be something we will have to get from the different municipalities. Yes. In which we get property taxes from. They don't report that to us when we they do report they
do send us a notice when someone has applied for an exemption and they received they get approval for the exemption. Yes. Um they do send us those annually but like I would need to know like year to date from pre you know all together. Have you received I guess have
you received a whole bunch of those notices or anything like that? No. No. Thank you. What constitutes an exemption? Can you make sure you speak in the mic, Miss Constitutes an exemption? Typically, your income constitutes the exemption. So, you fall into a certain income bracket or
disability, etc. So, it it's income, disability, and I think sometime age. Yeah. Age, veteran status as well. And thank you. Yeah. Senior No ideas at the table, please. So, I think they do hardship as well, which is
related to the income and it it is really a beneficial um exemption for our community members that are struggling because it prevents them from facing things such as, you know, takeover of their home or foreclosure if they're unable to pay their property
taxes. So, we are grateful for the the opportunity that our constituents have that in place, but it is essentially that was a good question. It is essentially revenue that we're missing out on. On the slide we have currently is syncing fund allowable expenses. So this
just goes through the different expenses that are allowable through the syncing fund and that's an annual slide that we put up. And Mr. Chairman um superintendent but how many money do you are we setting that with syncing fund
next slide? Yep. On the next side. a good slide. So we have the 17 to 2017 syncing fund balance. So the beginning balance uh for this year was 7.14 million dollars. Is that for this year? Is that
what we're going to start with next year? That's what we're going to start with for next year. That's what I'm saying. Not not this past year. It in 25 256 you would be starting with 7.1 in our scing fund. That's correct. Thank
you. The estimated revenue to that syncing fund is 1.95 million. What does that mean? The the money that you expect to get from tax collection. Okay. The estimated expenses from that from our one-time projects, boilers,
track, roof, uh finishing out gym floor, etc. other capital projects. The estimated expense out of that is 5.90 million. Question. those some of those projects and those
things were from last year. Yes. One time it was it was so the beginning fund balance of last year was what $10 million. It was that's what I'm saying. We got to be clear on that because some of that come from that that it should
have come from that because that those decisions were made under that piece. So, it's not like we going to go through and we're going to lose $5 million or any that's not the way that it is. And if you're not clear on that, then you will assume and then everybody will
start getting nervous about, oh, our syncing fund is low and low because our syncing fund sit there for years as you can see with dilapidated buildings and everything that was never used properly. So, I'm not asking you for that number. You don't have to go off off track like
that. um um director praarter but but I'm saying that let's make it clear that those project was from last year which I'm thinking was like 10 million or even more. Is that not correct? That's correct. And when we get to the final
2425 budget that we'll be reviewing in the next meeting, you'll be able to see the beginning syncing fund balance. what happened during 2425 and what how we came to the beginning balance of the seven thank you
yes miss Gavin thank you um this number is not including the possibility of receiving the reimbursement from the er funds is is that correct correct so if we do receive
the reimbursement from esser funds What would be the um ending fund balance for syncing funds? Just estimated. Well, that would probably go to the general fund. If we receive that reimbursement, it wouldn't go to the syncing fund. Okay.
It would and it would be 3 million extra 3 million. Right. Right now, our request is at 1.9 million. Um we do have the potential for 3 million, but we'll have to ask for another another reimbursement. The last reimbursement that we asked for was only up to 1
point. You know, we have to spend it first. We can't ask for it before we spend it. So, that's where we were at with our spending. So, that's what we were able to request. Is there a deadline on when we can request the other portion? Well, we'll
have to hear from our consultant at MDE when that window is going to open again. They opened the window for a short period of time and we were able to submit our documents for additional reimbursement. If they do open it again, we will definitely go for whatever else
we've spent since then. Thank you. Thank you. Well, so the expense to that 7.1 more 7.14 million is estimated to be 5.90 million
with an ending fund uh ending balance of 3.19 million in the syncing fund and net change of 3.95 million. Great. Great. Uh on the next slide, food service allowable expenses. So as
you know last year we did a lot of the board approved a lot of uh food service changes. We bought new equipment, we bought new furniture, we bought a lot of things through the food service. So these allowable expenses were some of the things that we spent on um through
our food service program from last year. So you can take a look at that. Got a question in that. Yes, sir. So tear is not supplying. They're just supplying their food. They're not supplying none of their
cleaning. So we get a certain amount that goes into their budget. So we get a food service amount and it goes to their budget and they spend from there. So it's not like it just comes to us. That money is specific for food service. So
it goes into their budget for them to spend. I do know that they they I do know that they have their own um utensils and things that they provide like their own special knives and things like that because I used Yeah, I used the facility
once and they were very clear on me not touching the equipment that they have. So there are some things that I know that they brought in some minor things that they needed for themselves. very madam president and it's very minor the thing that they bring in and this is the thing because they are not the only food
service that's been that that that we that we partnerships with and the thing about it this stuff the majority of the stuff in there belongs to Ben Harbor area schools they come in they don't they ain't buy one stole or anything so they you know they a lot of times I
think people get confused on what it is because that stuff belongs to the taxpayers of Ben Harvard area I get I just you know I'm wondering about do they don't supply their knives all of that knives and stuff stay here and then I can go on bid.com and bid on
it when we're done with it. Right. Yeah. All right. On the food service fund as you'll see on the next slide. Their budget is quite limited. Their beginning fund balance is $280,000.
So it's it's reported as 28 million but it's $280,000. The revenue estimated coming into the food service uh fund for next year is 1.10 million. The estimated expense 1.28
million with the ending fund balance of 10,000 100,000. Excuse me. 100,000. 100,000. 100,000. Sorry about that. 100,000. You're making us nervous. I'm telling you, but I see it when it when it came out like oh uh sorry about that.
100,000. We got to call the church kitchens. There's a net change of $180,000. So, it's still on the positives, right? Still positive. It's there's a net
change, but it's still a positive. If it doesn't have brackets around it, it's positive. Student activity fund. This one. Okay. Okay. So with the student activity fund there basically no change it balance out. So at the end at the ending
fund balance and the beginning fund balance is 115,500. Now that sorry I So for me this right here has always been it's like it's a ghost account. Um, how do we when we talk about student
activity fund, the function of the student activity fund, everything that we do should be for our students. How do we still have this money in here, year after year, and we
don't spend it doesn't go to our students? What is this sitting there for? I don't I I I don't have an understanding of what it is because one thing that I'm I'm for me where I were I've seen the principal go
buy shirts for the whole school and pass those shirts out for for for for student sections and and and homecoming and they have I have so much paraphernalia and things from the school from their budgets and people are
calling from out of town and asking, "Can I find one Ben Harour Tiger t-shirt?" This is a student activity fund. What is this? That is not our student activity funds are normally
funds that the students have raised and then the expenses are normally the expenses that go out for the money that they've raised. And we have a balance in our student activity fund because we have various
clubs, groups, class of whatever year all of those different accounts are in the student activity fund. So it has, you know, it has gained interest, it has accumulated income over
the years. So we have a balance. But the student activity fund is normally from money that students have raised and then they normally have something that they want to buy with those funds and then that's where the expense comes in. So for example the prom the prom committee
the seniors the juniors traditionally I don't know people have have just squandered our traditions um but the juniors usually sponsor the prom for the senior class. Okay. So the junior class, you know, we hear we hear people the
advisors begging for money outside on the street on Facebook. Um the band begging for money for this and that and the other and and and it's just it's it's it's it's not right. Or you know, we have we have I know our class left uh
uh $5,000 and then we came back to get it and years later it was gone. So, I mean, this fund right here, this fund right here is weird to me. I don't I need some understanding of what this is, and we don't have to do it tonight, but that's
something that I I'm I mean, how are they raising money? And every year they're begging for money. And I would just like to put it on the record that that's one of my major pet peeves. Yes. I, you know, I'm all for the community supporting and giving us money and
things like that, but I guess what the clarification that we need and like Secretary Triplet said today, we don't necessarily need it today, but right, we don't have a full understanding of what things are allowable to be purchased with those funds and and what things
can't. Like he said, there's always uh requests for donations and things for them to go on trips or help us get money to feed the kids and things like that. And so just kind of want to have a better understanding of how we have $150,000
balance, but then we'll get on Facebook tomorrow and see the football team. Make me not want, you know, there's no request coming to our office for funds before they I I don't I don't know if they just assume that there's no money be because there's there we've had
GoFundMes and I've seen I've seen them too. And just like with the prom, you know, I I met the prom committee was wonderful. We met on a regular basis. You know, whatever they didn't raise, I made it clear that there were student
activity funds available to cover whatever's left after they, you know, spend the money that they raised. you know, the prime the previous year was paid fully from student activity funds because that class, you know, happened
to not do any fundraisers. So, you know, there's I don't know if it's just an assumption because if we get the request in our office, we fund it. So that's why I say I I I haven't been asked for funds
and said no and so I'm not sure. I wish I could be have that for you. So as a followup to that for the future for the upcoming school year that may need to be some clarity provided to our coaches because we do most often when I see it's never the
head coaches it's the the assistants or the other volunteers. I've seen teachers asking for things like for fashion club and things like that. And I know I asked you about that before. Yeah. And so just making sure they're aware that those systems are in place and they can
request what they need. We don't we don't need to beg for anything. No, we don't. And I like I say, I don't know if it's just not that I don't want the donations or appreciate them because they help us to save money, but it makes the fun like we our kids are out here begging, you know, like, you know, just
when I got to here, I was getting ready to eat and I just didn't feel like eating anymore because this right here is free. I feel like I'm eating off of their funds and stuff and I don't, you know, get with you. But yeah, seriously though, seriously, thank you so much. our our clubs, our teams, especially our
athletic teams, they do not have to do any of that. Okay. So, why Trusty Doyle has had a finger up for a minute? Cuz my question was for the athletes, they got they ain't even got
no tents and these uniforms that they run around in is absolutely crazy. It's hot as heck and they got these thick hot uniforms on. Um, I'm not understanding why. Yeah, we have brand new tents. Brand new, beautiful tents. I know you
know we had them last year for the back to school bashes when we bought bought them. I don't know if you have had a chance to stop by, but we have beautiful tents. We have brand new ones asked for them. It's a disconnect because I think it was coach Gillespie and coach and
coach Jennings in that last meeting what he clarified is that he inherited so much coming in that they have not they've been so f and knowing that things like the track cost money and things like that. I remember coach Gillespie saying there are certain things that they have not asked for and
they've tried to make it work with what they have. But I think that that's a culture that has been developed historically because we've been struggling financially and so it's carried forward. So we just have to do a better job at relaying the message to
our staff that that funding is here just submitted or requested and I think uh Trusty Bowens had a Vice President Bowens has a comment. So I guess Madame President maybe a directive to you. You don't normally get orders from us, but maybe a directive needs to be that
every club gets a mandate that is told that they have this because even if you look at like the robotic club or different clubs, we're being told different things. So, if it's a standardized memo that there is a student activity fund and there is maybe
we need to put a Well, what we do is each each like for athletics, we share a spreadsheet with the coach and the athletic director. And on the spreadsheet shows your beginning balance, any revenue you've received, any expenses, and your ending balance.
We started that right after um Mr. Jennings started and we shared that and it's by team. So there's a sheet for the track team so they know what they have and their student activity account, the cheerleaders, you know, we keep track of them at the business office. They're
shared Google Sheets so everyone has access to their balance, what's going on with their monies, and if they need to request anything, they know the balance and and so how to contact. I guess my question is, is that student activity fund just for the sports? If I was a No,
there's also robot that spreadsheet, you know, whatever class of whatever. Carter, can you send the memo? The the memo he's referencing. Yes. But the the issue is going to be well not really an issue a task at hand
is getting it not just to the athletic director but ensuring that those not just the head coach get it but those other coaches get it um as well because like I said it's never the head coach that I see posting. They don't they're not asking for the donations. to some of
the volunteers. They may not even be paid by, you know, the paid. They volunteers sometimes go out and try to and we're hoping to be more transparent, more um just have more information out there. So, not only do they know the balance,
what's the process to request the funds, you know, how far in advance should we be requesting things before it's needed, you know, all of these things, we're trying to kind of put a manual together to share with all of the the departments like we have a formal process in place,
everyone is aware of it, and then we can start making that a regular practice. Miss Rocket Martin has been waiting for a while. Um, so before so I'll let before we proceed, I just want to make sure it's noted. Um, it is 6:40 p.m. Our second special meeting should have
started at 6:30. However, I just want to let the public know that that meeting, we're still, it's all one inclusive meeting, two meetings back to back. We will start that second meeting after this meeting is adjourned and we've had an opportunity to have a brief recess. So, I apologize for the delay um in our
next meeting and then you can go to Rock. I can remember that all of our the student activity funds that in that included all of the dis all of the buildings and the activities if we raise money we will put it in our student
activity fund. It was up to us as principles to keep a keep in touch of what yeah a ledger of what we had and so you request your funds couldn't be for everything. It had to be a student centered activity and if
you did not spend it, it carried over the following year. So there may be funds in here from schools that were even closed. Yes. That are not that have not been spent. When I closed McCord, I made sure I spent every penny on the
kids because I wanted them to get that benefit. But I'm sure there is money in here from probably Boon, Bard, Fairplane, East, Sorder, every school because they did not probably spend all of the money that they raised. That's
correct. I think that I I'll close out with this. I coached cheerleading for 28 years and the budget, you know, I knew exactly what was in my budget. I had to request if I was going to buy, you know, varsity cheerleaders, new uniforms. The
varsity uniforms, old uniforms went down to junior varsity. The junior varsity uniform went down to the freshman. The freshman uniforms went down to our middle school. And I think, you know, for our kids, I felt so bad for our our
track, our our girls track, our track team that went to state. I felt I and I I had an opportunity. It was my responsibility as we closed out to go and represent my school, okay, as in an administrative role to go there and be the administrator on duty to to report
back and to see the things that those kids had. Those kids were up the night before. Those kids had great hotel accommodations. We're in the 11th hour asking for our kids, can they get a
hotel room? asking can our kids get transportation at that is that is unacceptable and it is negligence and that is the responsibility of when the athletic director the inter athletic director comes and have to ask us you
have to have a special meeting for stuff like that to me this is just moving forward so when you look at this budget and people have these type of concerns because it is also an administrator the principal of that building who's responsible for all of that as it relates to their students. That's the
role. And so we we we can no longer sit here and and and and and be silent because we're complicit. So yeah, I I I'm good with the with the 115 activity fund. Um the only other thing that I will mention as well is that
embarrassing. I think that the funding that we invest into our student athletes or any all of our student activities, it's also important and relevant to their identities as individuals. Yes, because we are relaying to them what we think of them and what their worth is.
And so imagine going to a school like St. Joseph or Bearing Springs and they have on brand new uniforms and come in with bags and things like that. And then we have, for example, like our our middle school kids, they just come in and little regular Gilden T-shirts and
and bottoms and things like that. And and and what they have is functional and it works. But I just want to make sure that our kids know that they are equivalent to any other kid, any other athlete, any other activity from any other district, you know, in the
surrounding areas. And so I think the it starts with us cuz you say it starts at home, but we're their home. And so we're building their selfidentity as individuals. and and I think how what we invest in even the extracurricular activities that they're
doing that they don't have to do says a lot and it's all I would just like to add that the girls track team has been the state for the last three years
three years and and and same four girls no recognition they got St. Joe Baron Springs, all of them got pictures of all their teams up around the field and things like that. I really think it's important that we let these kids know
that we're proud of the hard work they're doing. And not only did they go to state for the last three years, they did it without a track. That's that part. took me to church because they people
say, you know, a lot of times in society we say people should pull themselves up by their bootstraps. And so the response to that, well, what if you don't have boots? And so that's how our students have been. Yeah. They haven't had the boots. They haven't had a track and they still um are excelling. So that's a
that's an amazing point to add. And of course, we've kind of gotten this is in relation to the budget hearing that we've kind of gotten into a a conversation that we've had before that's that's um you know, serious to us. And so, of course, none of this impacts whether we choose to approve the budget
or anything of that nature, but it's just something that we want to make sure is a a pin is put in so that when we come back next year and look at the budget, we can see that we have um utilized a lot of those funds. That's a
good one. Yeah. Okay. I think Trusty Gavin had a question or a comment. Thank you. Ditto what everybody said. I have a problem with an art teacher requesting funds for color pencils or
crayons or anything in our district. And I'm hoping that whatever our process is, this is not a blaming anyone, but whatever the process is, we streamline it so that um the boots on the ground
can get what they need as quickly as they need to service our students. And I just want to just raise like before we leave if I can get that asset. Uh if I can get that uh what are our
assets? It's on the monthly reports. This is the budget hearing. I know. I was just you said that you would get that for us during this. If you look at the next agenda for the next meeting, it's already linked. And do you have the number? That's what I was asking. Oh,
the number. Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you. I can pull it up. Thank you. And while she pulls that up, uh the next step will be board approval. I think we've gone through the questions, comments, and concerns. So when when
Miss B Carter finds that answer, that will be my conclusion of the budget hearing for the 2526 school year. Thank you, Dr. Okay. So I'll proceed while Oh, Miss B, you ready, Miss Barkard? All right.
It's actually on page 28 of the monthly reports. The total assets for the district. You want the whole total of all of our assets? Yes, please. $45,69,000. I'm sorry. 45 million69,81. Thank you so much. You're welcome. Okay. So, if there's no other questions
or comments from the board at this particular time, very insightful conversation. Next on the agenda is public Q&A. So, are there any members of the public today that have a comment or a question related to the budget hearing?
All right. Hearing none, we'll proceed. Up next is open public comment. Is there anyone present that would like to make an open public comment? All right. Hearing. Okay. And you're I know that you're familiar with the public comment statement. You don't need me to read
that today. Can we pause and get her a mic, please? Oh, Lord. No, no, not you. You have to district. and Bur Oak
um teacher in the district also union president but I caused the I just came up here today with UNISER director and you know we listen to the budget and it it's very interesting to hear and it's it's it's a lot of work and I know it's
a lot of work so I just uh commend you all on your good work and I do I would like to say that today marks the 45th th year of the Benton Harbor High School class of 1980s anniversary cuz the
teachers were on strike the year that we graduated. So we graduate we graduated June 26th. Uhhuh. 1980 the best class ever. Thank you. That's all I have to say. Thank you.
Yeah, they were our sophomores being all right. So technically up next we have adjournment. Um we are it is about 6:50. We are going to take um
a quick 10-minute recess um and then come back until our special meeting of the board um that should have started at 6:30. So of course we apologize for the delay but we're still meeting. So we appreciate those that are tuned in
virtually. I do want to let the board know that I do have um in your next meeting packet there's a resolution for our interim superintendent. Um but I do have I was able to get the amend the uh addendum hashed out today. So I'm going
to give everyone a copy of that to to look over um and then we will have that discussion in the special meeting that's that we're about to start at seven. But I just wanted to make sure you all were aware that you have those documents. I
know that we it is the 11th hour, but I had to uh I'll give you all the clarifications regarding that as to why you're getting it in the 11th hour, but I just wanted to make sure that we were able to have it before the table today to meet that 6:30 deadline. So, I am
going to um ask for a motion to adjurnn. I move. Is there a second or support? Support. The motion has been made by Secretary Triplet and supported by VP Bowens. Any questions, comments, or
concerns? Hearing none. Secretary Triplet. President Robinson. Yes. Vice President Bowen. Yes. Secretary Triplet. Yes. Trusty Rocket Martin. Yes. Trusty Doyle. Yes. Trustee Gavin. Yes. Motion carry.
All right. So, our uh this special meeting is adjourned as of 6:51 p.m. Given the additional minute or two that we went over, we'll begin our next meeting around about 7:02 p.m. This meeting is a meeting of the board
of education in public for the purpose of conducting the school district's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. This meeting is an in-person meeting held at 870 KFEX here in Benton Harbor. In addition, live stream of this meeting is available at the following link. Questions may be submitted beforehand to Natalie D.
Singer at BHAS.org or presented in person during the public comment section as indicated in the agenda. Board members may be contacted through the emails listed below. Requests for special assistance, including for persons with disabilities, may be sent to natalie.bhas.org. I called this meeting to order
officially at 7:09 p.m. I would just like to notate for the public that this is our second meeting for the evening. So, please apologize uh please accept our apologies for the 40minut delay in start time. It's only because we just ended our 5:30 meeting. So, at this time
we'll begin by reciting the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Brother, what did you say? Do we have to do all of this again? Yes, we do. It's technically a new meeting, so I have to go through the formalities, but I'll do it quickly. Um, Secretary Tripley, can you please call the role?
President Robinson, present. Vice President Bowens, Secretary Triplet, present. Treasure Bradley. Trustee Rocket Martin, present. Trustee
Gavin, present. Trusty Doyle, present. Form has been established, Madam President. Next, we have approval of the agenda. Is there a motion to approve? I so move. Second. All right. The motion has been made by Secretary Triplet
and supported by uh Trusty Doyle. Questions, comments, or concerns? Uh, President Robinson. Yes, ma'am. Okay. So, forgive me. We did get the agenda a little late. Um, I am wondering why I thought this was just a budget hearing.
I mean, the budget meeting and we have the food service renewal contract on here. I'm wondering why those two, the food service and the workers compensation renewal, is this just for discussion or are we expected to vote on these things? So, the the
hope is that we will vote, if I'm correct, these are items that are timesensitive to the 30th of the month. However, in the event that the board is not ready to proceed with the vote on either item this evening, I'm perfectly
fine with us reconvening on Monday. You mean for another meeting? Yes. That's their deadline. Not interested in that. I'm just wondering if there's um accompanying information in terms of survey responses and things of that
nature. I the food service in particular, I've been surveying students and I really wanted to have some input from other folks before I weighed in on this one. All right. Uh Dr. Bus, can you respond to that question? Yes, Madam
President. Um, Trusty Gavin, that the food service uh contract, it's a yearby year and if we wanted to do that, it has to be approved through MDE first. So, that's when we first got this company, we started so early. So, had I known earlier, I would have RF because it has
to be RFP approved through MDE and then the board takes a vote on it. So uh for next year if it if so so if it if it's the will of the board then you all can certainly go out for another RFP and
and or however you like to proceed. You said you you already went out for the RFP ma'am. Yes, I'm so what I was saying was I have in order to change food service companies, there has to be an RFP and
then it has to go to the state for approval. That that company has to be approved through the state. So if the board so chooses and the new administration so chooses to to get a new food service company has to go through that entire process. Other than that, this contract goes for another
school year. Thank you. I I I do have to say this because I do want this on the record. This is something that we have have had to do repeatedly and we've ended up it has really really um it has it we've
suffered a lot as of this because of this because of this contract should have been discussed two or three months ago and I think that's something that you know hopefully with the next administration
um that when we look at the contract that we do have that we set this is no shade. This is serious business. Um uh yeah, but that you know that they are able I'm quite sure they're probably some of them are watching as well. I um
like some people from Bur Oak probably is watching here. So I'm not going to go hard on you, sir. I thought the same thing. I'm not going to go hard on you. But in all sincerity, you know, in the future, you know, like when we have things from the board of education when
we look at it because we do have some things that we need to do as well. Um, so we should know when we have it's not just your responsibility or the superintendent's responsibility. It should be a part of our board work. Um, because we did have that um piece. Um,
madame president, remember we had the things that which is a standard thing that happens in the state of Michigan for all school board uh, trustee u Gavin like it says like in June this is what y'all should be doing. Y'all should be doing certain projects in May make sure
all of your food service contracting thing. So those are some things that we can definitely look forward to in the near future in the meantime because I do have some concerns and have talked to students and have heard. So, even if we vote for this and and and um it's too
late basically to not vote for, but there are some things that I think that we need to go to the table on behalf of our children when we talk about the vendors because I do remember one of the candidates saying that they would definitely meet with vendors and make sure that they are doing the things that
we expect them to do as we before we go with the partnership as we've gone into partnership. So, thank you. I think you're referring to the MASB calendar. Yes, sir. Yeah, it well not just MASB. No, it's not it's nothing to do with MASB. We have a a calendar um for the
board and what's expected of us for the whole entire year that we approve the board calendar. Our board calendar. So, I just want to remind the board that we're just at approval of the agenda. We still have that section um to get to. So, if there's no other questions or comments regarding the agenda itself,
Secretary Tripley King, please call the vote. President Robinson. Yes. Vice President Bowens, yes. Secretary Triplet, yes. Trusty Rocket Martin, Trusty Gavin, yes. Trusty Doyle, yes. Motion carried. All
right. So, for review of board norms, I just read them about an hour and 10 minutes ago. So, just reminder to the board to be uh respectful of the board of educational norms for Benton Harvard area schools. Um, up next, we have public comment on agenda items. Is there
anyone present that would like to make a public comment on an agenda item? Hearing none, we'll proceed. Protocol as of 9:13 2022, all comments will be limited to two minutes for trustee per topic. Um, under board business, our first item is a superintendent search
update. So, as you all are aware, I'll be doing these updates until we have a contract signed and a superintendent on board. Just want to make sure that the public is informed regardless of what meeting they tune into. So, where we stand, um, as a reminder, there were 26
applications with 23 qualified. In May of 2025, we held community input sessions, um, and a superintendent workg group. June 7, 2025, there were six first round finalists selected. June 14th, 2025,
five first round finalists were interviewed because one found another employer prior to interviews and withdrew. Um, we selected our second round finalist on that date. We also appointed interim superintendent, uh, Dr. Bernick, pending contract
negotiations. June 24th, 2025, we held the public meet and greet presentations and Q&A. Um, between June 14th and July 8th, uh, we are conducting indepth comprehensive background searches. All three
candidates surveyed um have also been surveyed regarding benefits and compensation by HYA. So they have asked them to um as a precursor give them an idea of what amount or base salary and what particular benefits that they would hope for so that once we get to the
point of actually voting on a candidate we have an idea of where they're starting from and we can um have easier negotiations. Um, we also have developed a community survey um that is scheduled to launch as long as you all are in approval of it. Um, my
preference would be that it launches this evening or tomorrow. I do have today. Um, but it could also be tomorrow and it would go through Sunday, July 7th. This will give us an opportunity to get more feedback from the public. And if Miss Singer could do me the honor of opening that, I don't think I have a
tangible copy. So the board can kind of see it and it'll be on the screen behind you. It's not linked. That's because I did it. Hold me one second. I can read it. I don't know if it uh
Miss Booth shared it to me. Okay. And off uh just as a funny side tangent, I just received an email from press about how often they quote me. They're tuned in and listening. Hello Louise. Nice to see you.
She would not hurt me. I would not. Okay. So, I just shared it with Miss Singer and then hopefully she'll be able to pull it up for the board. President Robinson, your call the press system. President of us. Yes.
Can she share it with us too? Yeah, I can share it with the full board. That might make it a little bit easier. There's a light. There's a bit of a glare glare from your end. Okay. Okay. So, I have it pulled up in the meantime.
Okay. So, superintendent search community feedback. If you want, it starts with if you were unable to watch the finalist presentations in person, you can watch the full recording here. I thought it was important that they had access to that link. Whether you joined us in person or watched online, we welcome and value your input. Thank you
for participating in the superintendent search process. So the qu first question is standard. What is your relationship to Benton Harvard area schools? Um how did you engage with the superintendent finalist presentations on June 24, 2025? They'll let us know if they were here in person. They watched them online live or
they did not um attend or watch the presentations and that'll kind of help us gauge whether they were here and have had an opportunity to look at that information. Please rank the superintendent finalists in order of your preference with one being your top choice and three being your least preferred. Um, so they can tell us how
they rank them similar to how they did in person. What feedback would you like to share about Mr. Jeff Dates as a finalist for superintendent? What feedback would you like to share about Dr. Simone Griffin? What feedback would you like to share about Dr. Dallas Lee? And then the last question is, is there anything else you'd like the board of
education to consider during the superintendent selection process? And so I wanted to get you all's thoughts on that. if you thought it was sufficient to go out. The only clarif the only question I have for you all is whether we should require the Google email link. I believe that we've done it
both ways as a district. The benefit of requiring the Google email is that it's able to ensure that we don't have one person giving us multiple responses. The limitation is that if a person doesn't have a Google email account, they can't take the survey. So,
Vice President Bowens, can you go back up on the survey a little bit? Mhm. Okay. I was going to say go down and those are questions. Uhhuh. And the question is what feedback would you like? Yep. So they have an opportunity to rate the candidates and then they can
give us feedback. This is just me. When you're doing surveys, sometimes you can get a campaign to go against all of them. I hear you can get
a campaign to go go against all of them. So, do you want to do one to five? How would you rate this superintendent candidate? Five or four or three? I don't know. Maybe that's just me. I've seen some Well, I think with the way
that it is, they they can't go against all three because they have to rate on the feedback part. Right. But they So, the thing about it and I get what you're saying, but they have to select somebody as number one. Okay. As a number one option.
So, there isn't an option there isn't an option for them to make any recommendation for anybody else. It's based on our three. But if they want to discuss or want to say um in the last question, the last portion of the
survey, they can give us any general feedback, that feedback, you know, um on there. But the the thing is we're asking them to do it. I think that I think that it should go with a Google format where they only have one time triplet the mic
they can't that they'll only have one time to do the survey. Um I don't think that we should participate in the survey. Absolutely. So we should not do it ourselves but if people want to do it because it it it it is um it is
important to have and I think this is something that um Trustee Gavin has always said you know and always pushed and wanted to do was to give the community an opportunity to voice their opinion whether we agree with it or not. the decision. We will have to make the
final decision. But it's good to have that kind of feedback and to start a a very very h a relationship, a genuine relationship with our community and and our alumni and and you know, everybody.
So, it's good and that's I I think that's a great thing. And if it can be done tonight for me, I don't see why we should pause at all um to go forward. And that was that was my I did ask Miss Booth cuz she had a time to go out yesterday and I told her that I wanted
to run it by you all because we had discussed surveys as an option but then we didn't use it in the beginning and I didn't want a random survey to go out before you all had an opportunity um to review it. But I can see do you think that would be something that would
be feasible to shoot that out this evening? Yes ma'am. It's simple. Okay. So, we can have it start um this evening and then it it can end Sunday. Miss Kevin, you have the floor. Thank you. I'm very grateful that we're doing
this. Um and I like the way the survey is designed completely. My only question is if we're only allowing is it only allowing Google emails? What that does then is that
excludes a whole group of people who still, you know, I know I know some smart people, you know, some really smart people still using AOA or something, you know, you know, so that's that's the only concern. And I
know we want to make sure it's valid, but I I don't I'm scared of the idea of excluding a population of people that even though I'm a Google person, excluding that population of people is the I agree with that, Madam President, but I'll take back my Okay. So we can
leave that open just the I would hope that I know that we have a wide range municipality of individuals but I would hope and and I'm asking that our community is integral and does not take the survey multiple times because we
want to tr truly have a reflection of the community's voice. Um, now to be completely transparent, we barely get over 200 responses with the surveys. But I think that if we each use our networks to send it out via text, via social
media because we're not only board members, we're parents, we're alumni, you know, so we have various channels that we can spread that news and really ask people to give us that feedback. And if they don't, it's like I told them at the meeting, this is your opportunity to talk to us. So, you're going to be kind
of falling on death ears if you come back July 9th with complaints because we've given you every opportunity to give us that feedback. And so, that's why I didn't want there to be, you know, some people couldn't make it. Some people were frustrated and didn't want to come. Different people are in different seasons, but I just wanted to
extend an alternative opportunity to give people an opportunity to give that that feedback. Trusty Doyle. Yes. Is there a way that we can possibly get it out to our students as well? Our returning students or past students? Dr.
B, is there internal communication? Uh, we can post it, can't we? Print and post it in the schools and post it. It's through share. So, we can send out either way. So, if we could do this similar to how we've done the masters facility survey. I see the the survey
posted on doors at all of our school buildings and things like that. Um, that way if people are coming in, they can scan a QR code. Um, but I can connect with Miss Booth on that. So, we'll try to get that sent out this evening. So, it'll run through June 26 through July 7th. And I'll tell her no to requiring
the email. Um, and then we will have the outcome of that survey available for the board um on our July 8th meeting so we can see what the public has seen has has communicated to us. And madame president, yes, another thing too, it
the survey is for us to get information. It does not mean because okay 200 people or 150 people felt this way or felt that way that that was because that's a very small percentage of of the population.
And another thing and that's one thing that I hope that we look forward to in the near future. We made major decisions and it it it really traumatized me during the pandemic. We made a major decision to close our schools down and
and and and it was only 39 people that responded to that survey. And that that that has shaken me, you know, from since then, you know, how do we get our, you know, our these surveys out to our
parents, our school community? one role and I ask this again. What role do the principles play in this? You know, they they they have a major role. They should have a network of parents who come and show up for everything for their kids. They should make sure that they get they push it. I have our teachers to call.
This is in the future. Call your students in your your class your classroom. You call those parents and say, "We have a survey out. Can you you know we have we have um all of these positions our that that that's helping with uh I don't know what you call the
positions but their parent liaison and different things in those buildings that should be a part of their checklist of their responsibility to make sure that the parents of of their schools are actively informed and that they are encouraged to participate. So yeah, but
it doesn't mean it's it's it's really it's information for us because many of the the board of education, as I said at the at the previous meeting, I think you guys did a great job, an absolutely amazing job presenting and identifying those persons to bring before this
community. And I was very impressed and I you know to to say the least, you know, I trust you and I trusted you. Um, you all are elected officials and what you said, Madame President and people came and said negative things about what
they thought the board was doing and what they haven't. Well, we do have trustees up here on this board of education who have children who attend these schools, you know, trustee Gavin, her her son attends Ben Harvey area
schools. We have Tiger sitting back in the back in the meeting right now. He hasn't held his head up yet from the phone, but he is one of our students in Ben Harvey area school and and and your two children. You know, Trusty Doyle's daughter, one of our state um finalists
and honores attend Ben Harvey area school. So why would any of my great nieces and my nieces and nephews, my cousin's children and grandchildren attend this school district? And so why would we do something that's going to hurt or harm them? So you guys have done a great job. I think we're doing a
wonderful thing, Madam President. Um, Miss Sinker, he's not very keen on the food service. Oh, he'll take this. Yeah, I'm not shocked by that. Okay. So, I I hear you. Absolutely, Secretary Triplet. Um, so we'll get that sent out today. And then,
um, and you did. Did you let her know not to require the email? Okay. Um, and then up next, July 8th, 2025, we have our superintendent selection pending contract negotiations. Um, so just wanted to make sure the
public was aware of where we are. Um, our next topic of business is the contract of employment amendment. So, I try to get important things like this to the board in a much more timely manner. However, I had to give um Dr. Bus and
Dr. Bernie an opportunity to look at his current duties and determine whether or not he was going to designate them to an alternative staff or whether he was going to maintain those. And so that uh did impact potential um
amounts for the interim contract. So because you all have not had an opportunity to review it, I will kind of go over it. This is public information and I did give Dr. Bernick a heads up that I was going to kind of run through it just so I can be clear making sure
everyone's clear on what we're approving. So what you have is Dr. Bernick's original contract of employment as an administrator um he has been compensated at a rate previously of $105,000.
What I am um suggesting to the board as your president and Dr. Bernick has communicated that this is something that he is also comfortable with is that we compensate him at a rate of 145,000 annually. So we would be making an
increase of $40,000 on an annual basis, but it only breaks down bi-weekly. So I did give you all um the email that I sent to Dr. Bernie, but I'll kind of highlight the duties. I'm going to read through the full
amendment. If we need to have discussion, we can and then we'll proceed. Um, so in in accordance with the action found in June 26, 2025 meeting minutes for the board of education, the Ben Harvard area schools, the district, the board employs Dr. Christopher Bernick, the administrator
as interim superintendent of schools according to par paragraph 14 of the administrator's current employment contract and the terms and conditions of his contract amendment contract amendment which supplements the administrator's employment contract at the as the district director of special education having a term of July 1st to
June 30th 20 um 26 which remains in full effect and just for clarity his actual contract is through June 30th 2025 but when it's not nonrenewed it automatically extends for an additional year. Um, duties
administrators to perform the duties of the position of interim superintendent of schools scheduled and established by the board or as such duties are changed from time to time by the board and as prescribed by the state and federal laws and policies and regulations of the board in a professional and competent manner. In addition, his duties as interim superintendent administrator
will continue to perform his duties as the director of special education as directed by the board. qualifications. The administrator represents that he holds all certificates and other qualifications required by law for his administrative assignment and understands that it is his responsibility to maintain all such
required certificates during the term of this contract amendment or the board's appointment will become null and void. Compensation during the time administrator serves as interim superintendent. administrator will receive a stipen of $153.84 per day in addition to the
administrator's current salary and benefits as director of special education. This amount is subject to deductions required by law. Administrator shall receive no other uh remuneration for services rendered under this contract amendment. So then to reference the email, the daily stipen
amount is prrated based on the total desired salary of 145,000. This amount is based on the difference between his current salary of 105 and the $145,000 divided by his total number of work days under his contract which is 260. So
essentially we're making up for $40,000 annually divided by 260 days. The daily rate breaks down to $15384 additional a day. So that's explanation of that um amount that I'm suggesting.
Tenure administrator agrees that he shall not be deemed to be granted continuing tenure in the position of interim superintendent or any other capacity by virtue of this contract amendment or any employment assignments within the district. Term the parties agree administrator's employment as interim superintendent is of at will nature which means that the assignment is terminable at any time by either
party and without cause. The parties agree the administrator has no expectation of employment as interim superintendent for any fixed duration and that this contract amendment and all obligations here may be cancelled at any time by the board. So that gives us the flexibility once we have our superintendent finalized and contract
signed um that we can mutually end the agreement. Non-renewal to the extent and non-renewal of the administrator as interim superintendent is governed by the provisions of section 1229 of the revised school code. Administrator waves notice of non-renewal of this contract amendment under the enactment to the
extent that such notice may not be waved or is otherwise required to be given. Administrator acknowledges notice of non-renewal of this contract amendment through his signature on this document. It is further agreed and stipulated that no individual administrator, board member or other agent or employee of the
board has the authority to alter or amend this at will employment relationship or the terms of this contract amendment other than by formal action of the board. Administrator agrees his employment is intended to fill the position of superintendent while the board is in the process of selecting an individual to fill the office of superintendent on a permanent
basis. Fringe benefits administrator shall receive the same fringe benefits as providing his employment contract as the director of special ed. amendment. This contract amendment may be amended or mundified only in writing and signed by the parties who have been given express authority by the board. This provision cannot be waved. So, one of
the things that Dr. Bernick did indicate that he's extremely serious about is that in the event that the superintendent selection or finalization of the contract goes longer than expected and we think that we're going to be in this we are going to need him going into the school year. He would
like to revisit this amendment. Um, and it may it may involve redelegating his duties internally, organizationally, so he doesn't have to balance both ways or if we find organizationally that there is no way to readjust um his duties,
then we can determine at that time if we think there's more compensation needed because once school starts his low as director or special ed and superintendent would be quite intensive to manage both. So this gives us the standard flexibility to make an adjustment if we go longer than
expected. Um nine severability. If any provisions of this contract amendment becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, uninforceable or void, this amendment shall continue in full force in effect without said provisions. 10. This contract amendment together with the
administrator's employment contract contains all of the agreements of the parties with respect to any matter covered or mentioned in this contract amendment or the employment contract. No prior agreement, understanding or representation pertaining to any such matter shall be effective for any purpose in witness whereof the parties
have caused this contract amendment to be executed on the date and year noted. So I I'll open the floor. We do have a resolution to read, but I do I did want to get you all thoughts on the the amount as noted if you all think it's sufficient, if there's any concerns
about it. I I think I think that was something that we did with our current superintendent when he stepped into the interim role um as interim superintendent. And I think just also
with um Dr. Bernick keeping his responsibility as a director of special education. Um I think that's a that's a critical piece. I do have a concern about um the concern
that I have is in his office the administrative assistant or whomever the person is uh that assist him in special education division is out and I think that something needs to
happen maybe Dr. Buff can assist us in this u before he leaves or Dr. Bernick can start taking that role of identifying somebody to be in there throughout the summer to do that work until that person returns on an interim
basis. Um the role that that miss that Miss Singer will have will be definitely kind of like on boarding him um taking the information. It's the good thing that Dr. Bernick and Dr. B had a great relationship a good relationship. So,
I'm quite sure there are things that he would transition and help him with along the way um as he close out his tenure here. So, that that that piece right there, it has nothing to do with this, but it has everything to do with this
when he steps in there. Somebody has to be in that role to support him to support. So, if there's someone in Dr. Bernick that you know that have done that a previous clerk or someone that could come in and you won't miss any blowing then I think that we should also
know that that is something that that has to happen and needs to happen and how that look. Thank you Secretary Tripley. I absolutely agree. Any other feedback from the board concerns? Madam President, you have the floor. Um, so
I understand with the um compensation and would it be beneficial for the district to pay as a 1099? I don't know that legally we can do that. He's an employee. Okay. He's not a
contractor. Okay. Any other questions or concerns? I would also I am going to read the resolution but I would also again like to you don't need me to read it. Okay. So I would just like to also take this time to
thank Dr. for burning again, for offering to stand in the gap during this transition. And God works um in amazing ways because when I when I had the once we figured out that he was going to do both, I gave him the conversation. Um we we initiated conversations actually
today about the amount. And so I started with telling him asking him, "What is your idea of the amount that you think is sufficient in your compensation?" He gave me a certain amount and I actually increased it 5,000 because you're doing
two rows. Um, and this is this is also in alignment with what we've done with interims previously. So, I thank you. I mean, and I did joke with him. I said, "You probably thought the negotiation was going to go a little rougher than that, but I thank you." And and I just also um
just want to indicate I think in your email um or at some point you referenced to the board that you know that your specialty is special education but you think that you could be the superintendent. And what I was sharing with Secretary Triplet is that I want to ensure that you don't see that as a
limitation for yourself. Because if you can be trusted by this district to be responsible for the learning environment for those that have learning disabilities, then you are quite capable of ensuring that every child receives sufficient education that they need in
Benton Harbor area schools because of that expertise. And so I just want to make sure that that was something that was reflected for you as well because that's not a disadvantage, that's an advantage. So we thank you. Okay. So what we have um in attachment
with this is the actual resolution which the vice president has said. We don't need to read. No, no, you don't need to read it, but I think we can read it. So everyone, um I'll just give you a quick second to peruse over it. You can read, madame president.
Okay. So, negotiate. This is staff report D1. Um, negotiations approving the amendment of the contract of employment for Dr. Bernick as interim superintendent. Benton Harbor area schools, Bering County, a special meeting of the board of education of the district. The board was held in Benton Harbor High School Library within the
boundaries of the district on the 26th day of June 2025 at 6 at we'll have to adjust that with our start time because it was different than 6:30. So, we'll amend that to the actual time we started. Um, we would notate the time that we
call the meeting to order. The following preamble resolutions, we'll plug those people in. Whereas, the board of education of Ben Harbor area schools has previously appointed Dr. Christopher Burning on June 14th, 2025 to serve as interim superintendent of schools pending contract negotiations. And whereas the board and Dr. Burning have
negotiated an amendment to the existing contract of employment to reflect the terms and conditions of his continued service as interim superintendent. And whereas the board has reviewed and considered the terms of the proposed contract of employment amendment. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education of Benton Harour Area
Schools hereby approves the contract of employment amendment between the board and Dr. Bernick for his service as interim superintendent effective July 1st, 2025. And be it further resolved that the board president and/or the board secretary are hereby authorized and directed to execute the contract of
employment amendment on behalf of the board adopted the 26th day of June 2025 by the board of education of Benton Harvard area schools. At this time I'll ask is there a motion to approve staff report B1? I so move. Is there a second or support? Support. The motion has been made by
Secretary Triplet and supported by Trusty Rocket Martin. I'll ask if there's any additional questions, comments. I'm just grateful, Madame President. Um, and thankful to, you know, just like the the last transition, it was a smooth
transition. It was seamless. And the same thing is happening tonight. I have all the confidence in the world um that Dr. Bernick will help um us in this transition. I think that him being a part being a director and having set up
under um our previous superintendent and having knowledge of things from that perspective from and being a part of that leadership team. I think it'll be a a good piece to you know to move forward. So I I I I appreciate it. I
don't take it lightly myself of you stepping in to do that. Thank you. Any other comments? Dr. Brook down there. Are you saying I'm growing superintendent sir? That is a great compliment. You know, it is definitely it's definitely, you know, I'm I'm I'm giving definance and information to Bur
Oak community who's online watching their new superintendent. All right. Any other comments from the board? And also, one thing that I shared with Secretary Triplet is when I called Dr. Bernick to give him the news, he had tuned in at the end of the meeting, but
I could hear the excitement in your voice, and that was so refreshing. Um, you do your job. you don't beg or ask for attention. You're here. You're dedicated. And so I'm grateful that you're able to assist us in this uh manner, but that we're also able to
honor you in in allowing you to see that we do see your leadership. So, thank you. Um so, if there's no other comments or questions from the board, I would ask um the motion was made by Triplet and supported by Rocket Martin, can you please call the vote for
the um contract of employment for Dr. Bernick is interim superintendent. Give me one minute. The contract of employment amendment staff report B1. President Robinson. Yes. Vice President Bowens. Yes. Secretary Triplet. Yes.
Trusty Rocket Martin. Yes. Trusty Gavin. Yes. Trusty Doyle? Yes. Madame President, the motion carries unanimously. Congratulations. Now, we normally try to be a little more
um respectful of people's dollar and money, but because I did not get a chance to give them the amendment in advance, I wanted to be clear everyone had read it. So, I apologize that we have put all of your financial business on Front Street. You may have a few co-workers, like I
said earlier, you may have a few co-workers asking you for lunch now that we know how long your money will be during this summer. But we we are grateful for you. We appreciate it. Also, I would just ask Dr. Buzz gave me an update today on things they've been doing. So, if you
could just give the board a brief update of the transitions that you all have uh started in making. Um Dr. Dr. Bernick, as you all are aware, is a director. So, he's in cabinet meetings. He's aware and knowledgeable on where all departments are because he's in those meetings. But
there are some other things that they've started as well. Yes, ma'am. I'm trying to figure out where where we start. But uh we will we we've gone over track uh information. We've gone over the uh information on the uh insurance for the
basketball floor, the boiler information. um summer school calendar that the CDA uh there is a whole list on my uh calendar uh on the uh wall in my office that
we've gone over and I'm leaving it there so that he can keep track of by month, you know, and even for the new administration coming in because those are some things that are ongoing and they'll be able to come in and and look and see and make their adjustments as they acclimate themselves to the
district. Um and then they've all we've also um keeping in mind that with Dr. Bus exiting and uh Bernick stepping in temporarily there'll have to be transition of powers as it relates to the accounts and things of that nature which they've been on top of as well. So
I just wanted to make sure the board is aware that the the accounts will Dr. Bus names will no longer be on accounts our contacts things like that. they've also initiated those processes um so that there's a smooth transition and we're able to still function um during this
time that started yesterday ma'am. All right. So um congratulations Dr. Bernick. We'll be in touch significantly over the summer and then you you'll be in the hot
seat come July 8th with us and that's going to be interesting. So, you and I will have a one-on-one over the agenda, making sure it's prepared and things like that. I'll sit down with just with you and Miss Singer, but I'm sure Dr. Bus is giving you an earful about it. So, all right. So, we're going to proceed.
Um, next, I I don't know if you all know how good I feel that that is done. And I even had Dr. Bernick make sure that he's legally qualified and capable. It's no legal guideline that says that he can't do both. and he checked that cuz I told him if they don't if they
don't get us for not having a superintendent, they'll get us for not having a special ed director. So, we did double check those things as well. So, all right, we're going to move along to business and finance the 2024 2025 final budget revision staff report F1 and keeping in mind that we've gone over
these things. So, there may be I do anticipate there may be some a couple clarifications, but I'm hoping we've had the conversations needed. So, you have the floor, director Carter. First up is our
I requesting access. Oh, I'm sorry. Which one is that? The um but the budget revision. We should all have access to these reports. I think Is it something wrong with it because she just gave me I'm thinking something wrong with because I
don't have access either. I'm I'm an editor on a document. Yeah, I emailed her to give me access, but she she did say earlier she had given it to everybody. Yeah, I thought I did. Can you check it now, please? Check. It's there. Yes, there. Okay. Thank you.
Thank you. I apologize for that. I'm sorry. I thought I had did that earlier. uh this happens on on on a regular basis. So I don't know what's happening with the information but documents are sent and we have to request for access. Hopefully that will uh moving forward
that that would not be the place we'll be able to open and go forward. Thank you so much director Ricardo. Thank you. So first we're going to start with the 2425 final budget revision. This is our
final budget for the 2425 school year. The beginning balances on the budget hearing is how those numbers came about. Um, so if there aren't any questions, we can go ahead and go to the staff reporting. The
staff report. Oh, President Linson, you have I do just want to just want to be clear. Were there any cuts um that we need to know about? No. New programs or no positions or any
of that? Nope. Okay. Thank you. And this and this is this year, right? This is year, right? And there was never a discussion for any cuts for the 2425 school year. And there haven't been any further discussions. Okay. For 2526.
Uh yeah, this is the final 2425. 2425. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Staff report F1. Reason reason for bur consideration. Each June, school districts have an opportunity to update their revenue and
expenditure projections for the fiscal year that ends on June 30th. Facts and analysis. The purpose the proposed year-end budget revision reflects updated revenue and expenditure
estimates for the 24 2024 2025 fiscal year. This budget revision includes revisions to the general fund, the food service fund. I'm going to remove that 2007
capital projects fund because there no are no budget revisions to that fund. Okay. The 2020 2017 syncing fund and the student activities fund. The resolution
for adoption of the final 2024 25 budget revision is provided on the attached general appropriations resolution. Policy reference policies 6230 and
policy 6231. Recommended action that the board of education approve as presented the 202425 physical year end budget revision. Is there a motion to approve staff report F1?
I so move. Is there a second or support? I support. The motion has been made by Secretary Triplet and supported by Trustee Rocket Martin. If there's no questions or additional comments from the board
triplet, can you please call the vote? President Robinson, yes. Vice President Bowens, yes. Secretary Triplet, yes. Trusty Rocket Martin, yes. Trusty Gavin, yes. Trusty Doyle, yes. Motion carry.
All right. Next up on the agenda is the 2025 2026 proposed initial budget. Rock Carter, you have the floor. Thank you. Staff report F2. Reason for for consideration Michigan's
Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act requires the governing body of the public of public school districts to approve the upcoming fiscal year's budget before the new fiscal year begins. Facts and analysis. Board policy
number 6230 states, "The final adoption of the proposed annual budget shall be made by the board after the completion of the public budget hearing. The budget hearing was held earlier this evening. The proposed
25 2025 2026 general fund budget assumes a 392 per student increase in the state foundation allowance and a continued reduction in the district's blended student enrollment. The state
legislature has not approved the 2025 2026 state school aid act. Though the state foundation allowance and the 2025 2026 blended membership amounts are
currently unknown. The resolution for adoption of the initial 202526 budget is provided on the attached general appropriations resolution. Policy reference policies 6230 and 6231.
recommended action that the board approve as presented the 2025 2026 budget. Is there a motion to approve staff report F2? Madam President, I make a motion to approve staff report F2. Is there a second or support? I support.
The motion has been made by VP Bruins and supported by Secretary Tripley. Questions, comments, or concerns? Trusty Gavin. Same question. I was actually on the wrong year. My apologies. Are there any cuts to programs or staffing in this present no
projected budget? Okay, thank you for that. And then thank you for noting that we still do not have a um approved budget from the state yet and so this is estimated. I'm certain that you probably
required um or departments within the district to submit their budget projections to you that fed into this? Yes. So if something changes, will they have an opportunity
to make amendments as well if we need to make those amendments when the state gives us their final budget? That's correct. Okay, perfect. Okay, thank you. question. Um when when we were looking at uh like our contracts and what have
you um with um different vendors and what have you in our partnership agreement there were certain things that were specifically there were things that were listed in our partnership agreement and one of those things was very concerned about
was um the threads of hope organization and uh what they bring to a student. I for me I this go around I'm just this is this is a non-negotiable for me when I see our
children when I see what's happening in our community when I see the programming when I see all of the amazing things that have happened even as it relates to our teachers anybody's personal whatever that is I I I'm that can happen
to our children um And so I just wanted to know in this budget that is still an opportunity. Is that not correct? That's correct. All right. Thank you, Vice President Balls. So I I guess I'm
Secretary Tripler said that's still an opportunity. They're still a vendor, correct? They're Yes, they are still a vendor. They have submitted their proposals for the next school year. So, we'll be reviewing those contracts and going forward from
there. Okay. Thank you. All right. Any other questions from the board? I did one more. I'm sorry. M point of clarity. I just didn't hear the last word. You said you're given the contracts and we'll forward them. Excuse me. I didn't hear. I said they have
submitted their proposals for next school year. We will have to review those and go from there. Got you. Thank you. I just didn't hear the last word. Okay. I did have one more question. Are those contracts I know we did the contracts we
did the contracts were those contracts for two years? Are those contracts expired? Are they still there? Do is there another year under contract? I'm not sure ex excuse me exactly how that works. We did two-year contracts in 2023.
So for 2025, those contracts ended. We'd have to um start new contracts for the upcoming school year. Thank you. Okay. If there's no other questions, um Secretary Triplet, I ask that you call the vote for staff report F2 concerning
the 2025 2026 proposed initial budget. President Robinson, no. Vice President Bowen, I probably confused you, but I'm just standing in my reserve as I did at the previous meeting. You can proceed with your vote. Yes,
everybody. No, I'm I'm going to do like I'm going do like President Robinson and I'm like President Robinson. Are you sure that you are aware of what it is that we're voting on for our budget for the 202526
and it must be done by June of the 30th. Are you sure? I am sure. I am aware of what we're voting. I know that is a requirement. I have faith that the majority of the board of education will approve this budget. However, I am voting no because I cannot stomach the
uh -7.3 million balance. And so, while I know that it's a um requirement, I am not comfortable at this particular time with approving an over project a budget with over projected spending. And
you have that right, Madam President. Okay. So if as secretary triplet a resounding yes um trusty record Martin so let me say this this is the budget in
the mic. So I'm make you get a handheld. Okay. So what we're saying is that the the um necessary adjustments that we need to make if we vote yes on this we won't be able to
make them later on. Yes we can make you can always revise our budget. In that case I'll vote yes. Trusty Gavin. Yes. And thank you for this. Trusty
Doyle. Yes. I'm gonna go back up to the top. I just want to make sure that we got some clarification after our budget hearing and what have you and what was specifically said. President Robinson, I am still in no.
Motion carry. Thank you. And thank you to the board for having that dialogue and participating in our budget hearing. And as stated in our previous meeting, we have the right to amend our judgments, our uh budget. the work is not done. And so while this is where we
are at this particular time, this is not where we will be at the end of the year. All right. So we're going to move right along to the food service renewal contract staff report F3. And I just wanted clarification because
I think this was on the agenda before. I don't but it may have been in a meeting that I missed or am I mistaken? Haven't you all reviewed the contract before? You've discussed it before. Yes, we have to submit it to NDE before we certify. So, we had put it on
there expecting to get it back, but we didn't. So, we had to take it back off until we got it back. So, did it ever come before the table? No. Okay. Okay. All right. Go ahead. Staff report F3. Reason for board consideration. The district's annual
contract with TER, Inc. expires on June 30th, 2025. Facts and analysis. To comply with the Michigan Department of Education requirements, school district with food service management company agreements are required to submit this proposed
contract renewal forms to MDE for review and approval before the renewal contract can be signed for by the district. MDE received the district's request for renewing the food service management company contract with Ter Inc. for 2025
2026 school year and has approved the following. The current management fee of 9.2 Two cents per meal will increase by 3.1%
to a new management fee of 9.49 per meal. The current administrative fee of 2400 per month will increase by 3.1% to the new administrative fee of $2,474.40
per month. There is no advanced payments. There are no guarantees for the 202526 school year. No client investment planned for the 2025 2026 school year. Policy reference 8500 full
service stratei strategic plan reference facilities and operations. Ben Harbor area schools will develop, implement and evaluate a fiscally responsible plan that will ensure physical and psychological safety. recommended action
that the board of education votes to approve a one-year renewal of the tear, Inc. Food service contract from July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026 as presented. Is there a motion to approve
staff report F3? I make a motion to approve staff report F3. Is there a second or support? Support. The motion has been made by Trustee Rocket Martin and supported by Vice President Bowens. Questions,
comments, or concerns? I do have a quick question. I just want clar clarity. What What does it mean there are no guarantees for the 2025 2026 school year? What does that reference? We didn't promise them anything to renew the contract. Gotcha. Okay. And then
this is just a a quick question and I'm pretty sure if I had Okay. If I had um my computer went out. It's standard that it's it's in here in in contracts, but I'm wondering is there is there a stipulation that and and not
to say that this is something that we want to do, but is there a stipulation that allows us to end the contract early or are there terms surrounding ending the contract? Sure. There are there are terms surrounding end the contract early. There's a there's a time period we have
to give them. Okay. What is I didn't I didn't go over the original again. Okay. Um those are my question. You had a comment. Typically 90 days. Uh uh Trusty Gavin had to close. Okay. Trusty Gavin. Thank you. That was um I think
those are really good questions. So you're saying 90 days advanced notice or like how what are the terms of that? I have to look at the contract, but typically what we do is we put a disclaimer and we have to give the 90-day notice that we do not plan to
renew and and then start that process. That's not planning to renew. My question is what so a couple things just in case you know the state decides not to fund the new superintendent decides to go with the different decide to go with a different company. What are the
terms of the contract in that regard? So they they the new superintendent will have the opportunity to choose a a new um provider to his or her liking. Typically it on our uh contracts is a 90-day
notice, but before they give that notice, they they they need to make sure they have other the MD approval. As long as they have all their approvals, a 90-day notice. So is it and I'm sorry to jump in. Is it 90 days prior to not renewing for another year or is can we
give them 90-day notice within this year? Now, I got to look at the part with within the year, but there is a clause that uh there is a get out clause within the year as well. I always make sure we have a get out clause because Sorry. No, I'm sorry. I'll just say if
the district is not pleased, my my job is to make sure that we can always get out if the board so chooses. I think it's important for us to know what that is at this time when we're making a vote. Um, yeah. Is it possible? Yeah.
Is that a difficult thing to The original contract is here. We'll probably find it. Hold on. I had her attach the original contract. founder. while we're looking for that. Um,
okay. So, it does it is here on page 23 of the original contract under terms and termination. It says um under item B, the SFA, the S the SFA or the FSMC may terminate the
contract with or without cause by giving 60 days written notice. Is that with no penalty? Neither the FSMC nor the SFA shall be responsible for any losses resulting if the fulfillment of the terms of the
contract shall be delayed or prevented by wars, acts of public enemy struck. That's something totally different. It does not know the penalty. It just says that we can we can terminate the contract with or without cause by giving a 60-day written notice. Okay. Thank you. It's it's within the original
contract from last year. It's on page 23. Okay. So, I know we don't have an attorney present and we and we are just going based off what we see here. So, what it sounds
like is we have 60 days. If we decide to go with another contractor vendor, we just need to let them know within 60 days that the contract will end and they will continue the work for 60 days while
we move into a transition. Does that sound right? That's my interpretation. Yes, ma'am. Okay. And if we don't have a vendor that is going to impact summer lunches, is that will that have an
impact on summer lunches and things of that nature? That is correct. Okay. So, I'm going to say this. Um, requesting surveys is not a new is not a new request for me. I've been asking for
student feedback from the beginning. Um, even when I approved this company, even though I was looking at a different one, I think it's super important that the client, which is the the student is our client, their
feedback be incorporated in our decision. It's very important to me, and this is nothing against any particular person. This is just in terms of my boundaries of what I expect when I'm making a decision. And I've been talking to the students and their feedback has
been concerning. Sometimes they're excited when they have those opportunities when they can help cook. Um, that's a really good uh feature, but on a dayto-day there are some concerns. And so
I am going to approve because I don't want to um delay services for the summer lunches and we have an opportunity to revisit this. But what I will say is
that I think it's super important to leverage our hospitality management class. We have students who are studying this thing to leverage surveys to do things to provide their input and to
provide that input when we have to vote on contract renewals. Any contract renewal where there's a service that has been given over a certain amount of time. I think it's important for us to have the feedback from the people who have been serviced. Um because it's last minute and we've been doing so much. I'm
going to go ahead and approve it. But in the future, I think it's super important to include surveys from the students, maybe even have a student advisory committee that deals with food service um so that they can have some leadership
um and input into this um decision. And we did we did request that tear do surveys with the students. Um I haven't we haven't request haven't received the data back but I know that um the director of food service and her staff
conducted surveys during the lunch hour um with the students. So hopefully we can request that data and share it with you all. Yeah. So I what I would say is and I I appreciate that. What I would say is anybody who is looking to get
contracts from us, they want us to to invest in them. If we requested surveys, they need to be providing those surveys to us and we need to have those surveys in front of us before we make the decision. So I
think that if we have those type of standards on the front end then the decision will be a lot easier for everybody on the back end. All right. Secretary Shley, I I I you know, not in defense of anybody or anything
um that uh to come before us in this late hour, you know, with this contract available, letting us know, letting us know that if there were any concerns, we should have done this 90 days out or 30 days out. We should have had this discussion 90 or 30 days out. I
appreciate the fact like you said just us for us having an understanding of the contract that we're signing and we're going into. I also think that we should take into consideration too and survey our employees from Benton Harbor who work under these new um vendors that
come in because the vendors come and the vendors leave and our people are here and so we have a you know Miss Marty Moss those people have been in there forever. Miss Cummings 50 years in the district, what do these people, not just the kids, what do they think about the
service and and and what have you? Because they're the ones that that's doing it. So, I would like for that to be a part of it as well. Um or we can get some information and data from them. But I think we do owe them a conversation if we going to vote for
this contract. We have concerned um one of our students expressed something about the food and they don't eat it and it's a little bitty fella. Now you also have to take into consideration that our kids like junk food and so you know there are some
guidelines as well that that we're governed by by the state and by federal guidelines in order for us to be to be in the program. There are some things that they are required to do and that they have to eat and that they can that they can only serve. I've seen kids come
out of out of that behind that counter, not here, Ben Harbor, and throw away just loads and loads of fruit and vegetables and think because they just don't eat them. So, we it's a lot to take into consideration, but I too I I I do understand what you're saying because I have heard some things from elementary
and and and high school. Vice President Bowens. Madame President, um, we have a young gentleman in the audience and I'm going to ask, can you summon him for his opinion? Okay. Are there any objections from the board from giving
the student an opportunity to speak at all? No, ma'am. Okay. Tiger Robinson. So, Mommy needs you to come to the mic if someone could assist him. And so, you know, I told you that this meeting is really important because we
decide what happens within the school, right? So, they want if you could come so we can see you because you're too little for the podium. Okay. Can we make Is his mic on? Okay. So, I need you to begin by telling everyone your full name.
Tiger Robinson. What's your full What's your middle name? And speak a little louder. My name is Ty Robinson. Okay. And so the question that we have for you, we want you to be honest with us and tell us. Get comfortable now. You're okay. It's just us. You're talking to
mommy. Tell me and everyone here, how do you feel about the food in your school? Do you like the lunches? You can be honest. Some of them. You like some of them? Okay. What do you like about it and what don't you like about it? Oh, how old are you?
Seven. Okay. And what do you like about the lunches and what don't you like? Mostly they have like Put the mic in your mouth a little closer. stuff and then some time they put other stuff. Other stuff like what you got to
give more give them the details that you gave me. So you don't like the haz? What else don't you like? The beans. The beans. Okay. And what do you like? They had like uh the chicken. You like
the chicken? Okay. Anything else? Cheese sticks. You like the cheese sticks? Yeah. They had like there was like bread with cheese inside it. Okay. So, you like the quick fun kid food things like most kids. Okay. Anything else you want to share with us about the
food? Cuz we're getting ready to decide if we still keep that same lunch. What are your thoughts on that? Should we should we approve this contract to keep the same lunch or should we get another person to cook? You don't know. Okay. All right. Thank
you. Thank you so much. Good job. You said you didn't put that on him. That perfect. So, just to clarify, he he actually vented to me about the food. Um my mom did she works at the school. She did let me know that he had not been eating. Um he's a finicky eater, period.
So I we know there's just a difference in what our students are used to. And so majority of the the time he won't eat. And so she did have a conversation with the school of course about uh the additional meals that are available when you have finicky eaters. But he let me have it the other day and let me know
that he doesn't like they served him and peas and he doesn't like haz. Garfield might like haz. So there are some I think it's just a difference in what our kids are used to culturally. Um and so I do think um
getting that feedback from the students directly is extremely important. So if there's no other comments and thank you Vice President Bren for giving him an opportunity to speak. That's his first time speaking publicly in front of people. Right back to that phone. He ain't heard nothing else since he said
he spoke. Um, so at this Trusty Doyle, just real quick, my daughter doesn't eat the lunches either. I usually have to bring her something or she hungry through the whole day. Okay. Um, and I know Ga Trustee Gavin has expressed Go ahead. I'm sorry. I know we
had just a couple times, but I guess my question is this. If we didn't approve this, right, what what options does the district have foodwise? What'll happen is um right now they'll
continue until we can get another food service company in. So it's it's not it's not optional that we not have a food service. Oh, so they would it's they will just kind of stay on until we get someone else. So this
contract will roll over by law. So it'll roll over for a year regardless by year. So if we voted no, it will still they will still get the contract. It doesn't roll over. No, we won't approve it. It will end Monday. Oh,
okay. Services will end. Our services misinformation. I thought it rolled over. And then we would we would be in some we would be in some type of violation, right? Because we have to provide, right? Yeah. We've already put out our summer schedule.
We've already um our different sites. We've already submitted that to the state that those are going to be our sites for the summer. So, we will be in violation of all of those things that we've already committed to. Plus, the employees wouldn't have a job, right?
That's correct. Can we offer an amendment that this company provide their survey results by if we can amend the the contract renewal is kind of set by the state. It
doesn't really give us a to add any clauses or any anything like that. But I can follow up with the food service director. She's been very good about um you know addressing any of our concerns. So, thank you and thank you for your um
indulgence, President Robinson. All right, Secretary Triple, please call the vote for staff report F3. President Robinson, yes. Vice President Bowen, yes. Secretary Triplet, yes. Trusty Rocket Martin, yes. Trusty Gavin, yes. Trusty Doyle, yes. Motion carries. All
right. Do we need a quick three to five minute break or do we want to push this way? I just got the notification. We need to Okay, let's keep going. Up next we have staff report F4 workers compensation renewal. Uh just a little um before I get to the
staff report I just wanted to talk about the new uh workman's comp company is actually uh middle cities the company that we already use for our liability and our student um safety insurance. And
we are with this new uh contract is going to save us about $3,000 annually. Uh because we were in a program with Liberty Mutual. It was kind of like the last the only thing that we could get into last year after we had
lost our coverage. So we were lucky to get back into Middle Cities um which is our company that we already use for liability. So, I am um happy to be able to save the district some money with
this new contract um and kind of get better coverage um for our workman's comp. So, that's just a little background on why this is even um a staff report because when we switch
workman's comp company, we have to have a resolution from the board to submit in order for us to change companies. So, staff report F4. Were you going to say you don't need her to read it? Oh, no, no, no, no. Oh,
okay. We have to read it um for the public who does not have it visually right here, have not received it in an email and is not sitting at this table. So, we have to read that for our people. Let us be transparent. I know we exhausted in this
heat, but let us continue to be transparent to our constituents. And I know that means a lot to our vice president. That's something that I have followed I have followed him in that in that in that manner. And so I want us to continue to stay on that vein. I appreciate you, sir. Madam Mr.
President, I don't know if the secretary is hearing things or I know we're getting up there in age, but I never said anything about leaving this. Rock Carter, if you could please. And for the public, we are hot.
This is our second meeting and we are tired. So, forgive us. We're a little bit sillier than normal today. We've been moving from one end of this table to another. This is not normally how we would be operating. Dr. Bus has been laughing for the last three minutes. So,
just bear with us. We're almost done. Director Barardi, you can present staff report F4. Ben Harbor Area Schools resolution for joining the middle city's workers compensation group. Benton Harbor Area Schools, Fairing County, Michigan is
presented as the district. A special meeting of the board of education of the district was held in the Ben Harbor High School library within the boundaries of the district on June 26, 2025. The following preamble and
resolutions were moved by and those will be filled in after the vote. Whereas the district wishes to acquire work workers compensation coverage that provides protection for employees is cost competitive and provides loss control
and risk management services. The Middle Cities Education Association has developed a cooperative purchasing program to provide first dollar workers compensation coverage that is cost competitive and provides risk
management, loss control, and administrative services. The creation of the intergovernmental contract for the mutual benefit and protection of its members is permitted by act 35 of the public acts of 1951 specifically
MCL124.2. the following documents regarding the formation of the Middle Cities Workings Workers Compensation Group and the Middle Cities Workers Compensation Group Trust are appended to this resolution and have been reviewed
by the Board of Education. Middle C's Workers Compensation Group Intergovernmental Contract. Middle C's Workers Compensation Group Declaration of Trust. Middle C's workers compensation group bylaws and Middle C's
workers compensation group operating policies. By joining the Middle Cities compensation group, the district will acquire workers compensation coverage, loss control, and risk management service services and the opportunity to
participate in the placement of coverage and structure or of workers compensation coverage and services. Now, therefore, it is resolved that the district shall participate in the M middle C's workers compensation group
trust for a minimum of two physical years of the trust commiss commencing at 12:01 a.m. on July 1st, 2025. The district's participation in the group shall continue unless the board moves to terminate its membership.
Um, uh, Roger Ronaldo Triplet, the secretary of the board. The secretary of the board, Mr. Triplet, is authorized to execute on behalf of this district the intergovernmental contract the declaration of trust and any amendments
to these documents or would that be the superintendent of schools, Dr. Bus? Who name should be there? Who are we authorizing? It's it says a certain indiv individual is authorized to execute on behalf of this district the inter intergovernmental contract the
declaration of trust and any amendments and it's a superintendent secretary triplet signs but so we'll just make the superintendent of schools is authorized to execute on behalf of the district the intergovernmental contract the declaration of trust and any amendments to these documents. Is there a motion to
approve staff report F4? Madam President, I make the motion has been made by Secretary Triplet. Vice President Bowens, would you like to be the support? Are you the support Bowen? Yeah, go ahead and Okay. Questions, comments, concerns from the board. Madam
President, you have the floor. I had a question. I know we don't get to hear often from our board treasurer. Can you I don't get to hear often from our board treasurer what they discussed in their committee. Um but have you
heard from your treasurer on his recommendations on this or his opinion on this? No, I did not. Are you asking me or the committee? The committee you kitty the time to go.
I'm out to a fel. Did the committee get a chance to discuss this? No, we didn't discuss this. No, we didn't. I didn't receive this till after we had our committee meeting. Okay. What are your recommend your recommendations are in support of this? Strongly strongly in
support of this with um us trying to cut costs. you know, the $3,000 annual savings and the extended coverage from a wellknown company that's used throughout the state, the coverage is more
comprehensive. Okay. I I I do I I can say um with with with Middle City that they are really powerful. They I mean like seriously they are very very powerful in representing um um employees and workman comp and all those different
types of things. And like you said we had to jump into Liberty because we couldn't get into anything and they finally allowed us to come back into into the fold. So I would I I I would I would ask for all of us to support this initiative. It's really it's a blessing
to go to be able to get back when we had lost and they let us come back in and they have a lot of power and a lot of respect and this is one of the companies that they wouldn't let us in this time last year. So they offering to let us in
this time I think is we need to take advantage of this opportunity. Our treasurer has also he tunes in every meeting. He has sent communication to me that he does support this for the record. Thank you. All right. Can you vote offline? He he can't vote, but he
did send his support. Okay. I I thought the policy had changed. Thank you, Madam President, for that clarification. Uhhuh. Secretary Triplet, can you please call the vote? And it is Secretary Triplet who um has to sign this documentation. Yes. So, I would
like some respect on my name from your vice president. I know he's a millennial. They they really don't expect their life expect 36 years old. Okay. President Robinson, yes. Vice
President Bowen, yes. Secretary Triplet, yes. Trustee Rocket Martin, yes. Trustee Gavin, yes. Trusty Doyle, yes. Um, Madame President, the with the support of two finance committee members
here. The motion carries. Thank you. You can proceed with your monthly reports. And just a quick clarification, I know we normally Why do we need to do these today? Do what today? The monthly reports. Oh, we do them at the start. Yeah. Well,
this with June being almost up May and I just didn't know if it was a reason why it was today versus earlier or later cuz we normally do them at We didn't have we didn't have um our second meeting this month. You're right. Okay.
Thank you. Quick clarification. You have the floor. Thank you. This is our May 2025 monthly report. Just want to go over the f financial summary. Uh just uh mainly
all the information is available for you all to review. I just always would like to review our large payments. Anything that's over the superintendent u threshold I like to review with you all. Uh and that for the month of May we had first student
centric connects LLC that is our um licensing for our new camera system. Tear Bill Turf USA is our track.
Andy Egan Mesa and Easy Method Inc. is our driver's ed company. What do we pay out to to MESA for? Excuse me. What do we pay out to Mesa for? That is our teachers health insurance. Okay. I see here where it
says syncing fund expenses have exceeded revenue at the end of May. That's correct. Can you give some clarification on that? Yes. I want to get down to the right slide that shows the details. Just a second.
On page 27 of the slide of the PDF, the statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in the fund balances. The first two columns are general fund
budget and actual as of May 2025. and we also reviewed those in our um budget hearing slides. The next two columns is the syncing fund. So actual revenue is 2,442,66.
Our expenses year to date as of May 31st are 3,743,446. So our expenses have exceeded our revenue for the sinking fund of 1.3 million. And this as you can see from the budget in the previous column we had
budgeted to go into the syncing fund for this year I mean go into the syncing fund balance for 2425. All right. Vice President B. Yes. Thank you. Um, Director Brock, um, I got a question for
you on the AP check register. I I'm getting up there in age. So, can you refresh my memory on reclaiming, equipping, and directing youth? What agency is that? That's ready. Our takew program
Okay. Also, um, community and schools, can you revise me how long that program is? We are, we are set up for three years. This is ending, this is, we're ending our first year and going into our second
year. I would love, you know, trustee Gavin talks about surveys. I would love to see the survey from the staff and the schools. How effective is community in schools? You know, what is the return of investment on that?
That's it. Thank you. Oh, okay. If there's no other question, uh, Trusty Gavin, thank you. Um, I have to get back up. I was looking at what you referred us to. Um,
going back to the page I was on. Oh, where is it? Um, my question is about the 21st Century AI program. I know that we approved that contract. Um, where are we in terms of pay in that
process? Are they starting to get payments? Are we have we rolled that out? Uh, yeah, we paid that in full upfront. Oh, okay. And so we rolled out the program. Yes. Um, Miss Cups can probably answer
that better because it's a curriculum um that is rolled out of the different buildings. Dr. Bus can answer. He's still our superintendent. Right. They started training actually last week. The
the program has the program has been implemented. The teachers have started receiving training as of last week. It was a very robust training. It was over the myriad. So they are getting their training and and and uh being prepared for the upcoming
school year. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for that. A lot of money. My other question is I heard a lot about adult ed as an opportunity um for us to not only expand our services but also to possibly
bring in dollars. Um and I see that we and I've said this before we pay it we paid out about what 97,000 to Kexus. Um, do you see that at like if if that was something that we brought inhouse, do
you see that as an opportunity for us to increase our um revenues? I will have to do a more in-depth analysis to be able to say yes or no to that. Um, I'm I'm not saying it's not possible. I
definitely think it's possible. Uh, but if we have the space, if we have the staffing to support it, um, but I can't really say 100% for sure at this point whether or not it'll be
valuable for us to take it on. Okay. Thank you. And so, but currently they're able to kind of use the success from the work that they're doing with us to fund raise for themselves as well.
I'm not sure. Yeah, they definitely they definitely are. Okay, thank you. Um, that's it. That's all that I have. Thank you so much. Go ahead. Are there any other questions or concern on the monthly report? One question kind of piggyback off what she
was saying. Is that something that um Berian County does? Are the other schools in Berian County using Kexus also? You don't know. I'm not sure. Okay. Okay. Do we offer business management?
Do you know if we offer that course or we are we contracting that out to Kexus as well? Uh we don't contract out business services to Kexus. I know that or a business education
class. Um, and again, I don't want to misspeak cuz that's more of a expertise for Miss Cupch. Um, so I'm really not sure if we offer that at our school or if we are um, you know, sending kids to
other districts for that particular program. So, thank you. I I'll pay back. Well, it's part of the um it's be it's it's um being integrated as part of the NMC. So it starts in the 8ighth grade through 12. And right now we we have the
ability to get different entities to come in like a credit union or other financial institutions to come in. But um it is it is in its beginning phases but is being integrated into the Michigan merit curriculum. So it's going to be a
mandatory subject. It's going to be a mandatory subject with us. Do we offer JMG right now? We do. Yes. And that's through Kexus. Yes, that's a career readiness component. That's correct. Okay. Thank you very much, James. I thought it was
J. But personal finance, what uh Dr. Bus is in reference to personal finance is going to be mandatory in the future. Thank you. Okay. Um you can go ahead and proceed with staff report F5.
Staff report F5, monthly financial reports. Reason for board consideration. A set of financial reports is provided to the board of education each month. Facts and analysis. This evening is it is recommended that the May 2025 payments be approved for all district
funds. Policy reference 6470 payment of claims. Strategic plan goal reference facilities operations. Benh Harbor area schools will develop, implement, and evaluate a physically responsible plan that will ensure physical and
psychological safety. Recommended action that the board of education approve the May 1st through May 31st payments for the following funds. General fund 1,420,494.98. Food service fund $250,716.32 syncing fund $216,62527
student activity fund $17926 for a total of 1,888,1583. Okay. Is there a motion to approve staff report F5? Madam President, I make a motion to approve staff report F5. Is there a secondary support? The motion
has been made by Vice President Bowens and supported by Secretary Triplet. Any questions, comments, and concerns? Uh before the staff, before the board comments, I just want to thank you all for the opportunity to be able to provide you with this information and be
in charge for the finances for the Ben Harbor Area School District. It was a dream of mine to do this job, so I really appreciate it. This is my first time doing a budget revision, a budget, initial budget, so I was very nervous,
but thank you all so much cuz it was not bad at all. Thank you. It's not You kind of scared me for a moment. You have to remember that you are very qualified to do the work that you do. And so that and and I and I've shared with Secretary Triplet that you have never been a
person that wants to be in the forefront or on the mic and center. And so you've made tremendous growth in your comfort as a director of finance. This is you run the money. So you have no reason to be nervous. You you do a great job. We trust your judgment and your feedback.
Doesn't mean we going to always vote yes on everything you bring. But we do we do trust your judgment. So we appreciate you significantly. Okay. Did you have an update or something? Yes, ma'am. Um I did get a update from Director Cups. We have a
business path approved for next year. Personal finance is mandatory and it is offered in econ. Awesome. Thank you. Okay. So, we can transition our if there's no questions regarding Secretary Triplet. Yeah. I I I I do want to say to director uh Rock
Carter too. I I think in my meeting today, we did have a conversation and I did ask her this question. Um can you do it or not? And that's the the that that's the bottom line you know um to whom much is
given much is required you stepped in in a time you know in your role in that office and I we talked about how when that decision was made with where the the CFO um decided to go separate from
the district and I remember our conversation where you were very supportive of our CFO and you you know you you expressed and you explained that you were learning a lot from her. So it was never uh a discussion where you was like, "Yeah, let her go and for me to
come into this role." And then the the areas that you um had not yet been introduced to and the areas that you were not familiar to, you you know uh rigorously um got into those classes and and got
into those spaces and places to improve um and and and be able to present to us and be able to be what is you know what's necessary to sit in that seat. So continue to strive forward. Um um like
like Mrs. uh our president said, we don't have we're not going to always agree. We don't have to agree when we ask you a question. This is not an attack on you personally. It is our responsibility to have clarity. And so I left out today with a little bit more
clarity. So we appreciate you. Um the I think the he the president think that she's getting ready to have a asthma attack with that large breath. But but again, you did a great job and thank you so very very much. I these millennials I
am praying. The funny thing is when you were talking, I was sitting here visualizing myself walking out the door, but you was dragging me back in right on back up in there. You stay but you got to stay real nice. But yeah, I I you've done a you've done
a great job and and and we appreciate it. Thank you. All right, Secretary Tripler, can you please call the vote for staff F5? I and and I want I want you all to you all depend on the secretary a lot to do this. You need me to call your vote now.
President Robinson, yes. Vice President Bowen, yes. Secretary Triplet, yes. Trustee Rocket Martin, yes. Trustee Gavin, yes. Trusty Doyle, yes. Motion carried. Okay, so we should be at open public
comment, but as we were sitting here, I broke a board norm and had a side conversation with Secretary Triplet because I realized that it's June 26, 2025, and this board of education previously took a vote to do an
evaluation. And I honestly I asked them, wasn't it, we were supposed to do it today or was it supposed to be? No one. We didn't. We did not do that on the agenda or in the month as indicated. Um
we're about 4 days away from the end of the superintendent's contract. And so I'm wondering at this time if the board has comfort in utilizing the um exemption that we have to
utilize the superintendent's resignation as an extenduating circumstance which would allow the previous evaluation standard to be used for this year being that we're 4 days away from the 30th. Um, I just wanted to we need to have that conversation because we technically
took the vote to do it. Madam President, uh, uh, for me myself, I think that we are moving in a in in a different direction. We have uh loads and loads of things to do um and
in in getting our district um prepared for a new superintendent to come in. Um Dr. But have been um hired um to lead um at another district for
me. We the timing and what have you. I I can support the um of I can support us saying the um that we do not we'll take the the the last evaluation and move
forward in peace. So that's the way I feel um that we should do because we have a lot to have done to to get done. It is a lesson for this board of education. It is our responsibility,
our responsibility to to do our due diligence. And I think this season of, you know, us having to eat stuff, getting contracts in the 11th hour, all of these different type it's it's just it it's it's some things that we have to
do better ourselves. So, I'm I'm I'm willing at this particular time, although I supported the evaluation, I felt that it was a necessary piece. Um I I you know in order for us to be able to assist him in moving forward but at this
particular time I I I would have to change where I am and I I do support us. I don't know what would have to happen for us to put a motion on the floor. So or more discussion from the rest of my colleagues. President Robinson Gavin. So I think it needs to be on the agenda
first. Yeah, we will have to amend it. Discussing it and it's not. We can amend the agenda. Uh I'll take a motion to amend the agenda to uh regarding the superintendent evaluation to have that conversation or to allow for an a vote
for superintendent evaluation. Um is there a motion on the floor? Triplet, did you want to put the motion on the floor to Okay. Is there a sec? Okay. The motion has been made by Secretary Triplet and supported by Rocket Martin. Uh questions, comments, concerns, Gavin?
So I guess for me I'm wondering is that the only option to take the previous evaluation because I can't support that. I cannot support the previous evaluation
when new information has developed from then to now. I feel like there's a lack of integrity in that vote. Now, if there is a vote, you know, if there is some
other legal way to excuse his evaluation without accepting that, um, then I'm open to that. I I'm open to moving forward. Um, as long as it doesn't bite us later.
But yeah, that's my concern. I don't it's not the same and it's important for us to actually find out. I can't say it's not the same cuz we haven't done the evaluation. But what I can say is that things have happened, right? And so it's
important for us to be clear uh when we, you know, when we vote. Um but yeah, is there another option? Yep. I can read the language. This is from Brad Basnik. Um this was back in June before we took the vote. Um Miss Robinson, thank you
for contacting MASB. The evaluation law doesn't include a clear exception from the annual evaluation requirement for a superintendent who is leaving the school district. I mean, Professor Robinson. Yes. I hear kind of slow cuz I'm a visual learner. So, if you read it fast like that, I don't.
Okay. Thank you for contacting MASB. The evaluation law doesn't include a clear exception from the annual evaluation requirement for a superintendent who is leaving a school district. However, the new evaluation law includes an exception based on extinguating circumstances. The
evaluation law provides that a school administrator must not be an assigned an evaluation rating and must be designated as unevaluated for a year if there are extenduating circumstances and the school administrator and the school district agree to designate the school
administrator as unevaluated because of the extenduating circumstances. So, that is the second option. He could be designated as unevaluated. The law doesn't define the phrase and examples of what could constitute extinguating circumstances are not provided. So deference will likely be given to school
districts in establishing what type of local situations constitute extinguating circumstances. Consequently, a school board and a superintendent who has resigned could arguably decide to forego an annual evaluation for this school year due to the superintendent's resignation constituting extenduating
circumstances. I hope this is helpful. So, we could take the vote that he would be unevaluated due to extenduating circumstances. I um you know, I I would respect to hear from my other colleagues if they disagree, but I'm open to that option. I think there's integrity in
that. It gives Dr. Bus an opportunity to move forward and it gives us an opportunity to move forward. I'm perfectly fine with him being evaluated due to extinguating circumstances. You Yes, madam president. Okay. Um, did we
ever get an amendment to the agenda? We did that already, right? Okay. We didn't Did we vote? We amended the We amended the agenda, but we didn't vote on the actual um thing. So, Secretary Truma, did you want to So, did you At this time, I'll ask
Oh, this is the amendment of the agenda. Yeah. Yeah, we already amended the agenda. Okay. So, Secretary Triplet, I'll ask at this time because we've ended we've we've amended the agenda. You've called the vote for the amendment of the agenda. So, at this time, I would ask, is there a motion to forego an
annual evaluation for this school year due to the superintendent's resignation constituting extinuing circumstances? Is that your motion, President Robinson? Yes. I make a motion that we forego the evaluation of the superintendent due to
extenuating circumstances. Is there a second or support? The uh motion was made by Trustee Gavin and supported by Trusty Rocket Martin. Any other questions, comments, or concerns?
Trusty Doyle. And this will deem him un unevaluated. Okay. due to of extenduating circumstances. Okay. Okay. Secretary Tripley, can you please call the vote? President Robinson. Yes.
Vice President Bowens. You speak your truth, sir. I am going to abstain. due to I say open
unresolved situations. Understood. Um go ahead, Secretary Triplet. Well, what what did we just say? He was taking a vote. He abdained. Okay. And and Madame President, you said
I said yes. He's abstaining. Secretary Triplet, yes. Trusty Rocket Martin, Trusty Gavin, yes. Trusty Doyle, yes. Motion carried. All right. So, next up, we have open public comment. Um,
there's no one here that I believe wants to make a comment. Dr. But superintendent announcements and comments for the last time as the superintendent of schools for Ben Harbor area schools. For the superintendent of schools of Benhub area schools, I want to thank you all for giving me my first
chance of being superintendent. I want to thank the students for allowing me to usher them through the years that I've been here. We've been able to create some very unique and great opportunities for them. But the staff, I thank them for their support
and we've been able to do some great things for the staff, increase their pay, make better working environment environments for them. Um, thankful to the team that has helped me got here with all their help with the new cabinet, my new administrative
assistant, and thank you all for the votes and trusting me to get us to this point in our juncture. I know as I came and said, uh there's a reason and a season for me to be here. My season is up and I wish you nothing but the best
in moving forward. Thank you. Up next, we have board member announcements and comments. We'll go with Trusty Doyle. Can you please come back? Trusty Rocket Martin. Thank you, Doc. Thank you, Dr. Buts, for
your service. Um, and then as we look at the food service uh contract, I would like for us to also look at something beyond the taste of food because there's a state that come that comes in. The state comes in and audit. We've got to have people that can pass those audits
or we'll end up paying back money. I'm don't say it doesn't happen because I have been on the in a meeting where we had to pay back. Okay. And that was like thousands of dollars. So you got to have really competent folks in
there. I said uh also we have to remember that um and I am so for the the surveys to see how the food tastes for the teachers, the staff, the kids, everybody. I think we we all can do a survey for food service. That's good.
And I I think I just kind of want to remember that, you know, um you've eaten in restaurants and sometime you go to that restaurant and the food is very good, but then they switch cooks. You go to that restaurant, the food doesn't taste so good. So, um what I'm saying
too is we have good cooks in Bitten Harbor. Okay, so just keep that in mind. Tat's not cooking that food anyway. We've got good cooks. Uh I I
will take it home and eat it. But anyway, um Dr. Bus, I do wish you well. And I thank the board uh for their presence and for what they do also. And I especially thank the board tonight
because um I wanted to go someplace, but I'm here. So I thank you for keeping me here. I think that's sarcastic. Okay. Okay. And and to Mrs. Carter, what can
we say? She is a wonderful um you know uh I um when I think of you, I think of Scrooge. Not in a bad way, but Scrooge did not give up money. One cent. Yes. And guess what? He died rich.
But but I appreciate the oversight that you do for us so that we will be I feel comfortable with you in that seat. Thank you. Thank you. Uh Trusty Gavin. Thank you, President Robinson. Um I'm
looking at our table here and it says that MDE recommends that at 5% uh state revenue remains in our net assets at the end of the year. And I've done some research, been looking up some things, and it's, you know, there's a
recommendation that Michigan schools be at at least 20%. And our director of finance said that we are at 60%. And so I think it's important for us to remember that we are in good standing.
We are in good standing. and we're in good standing um investing in our staff. And a distinction that I've noticed is that when corporations come into our communities and they ask for tax breaks
and they ask to not have to pay a dime, they say that they are creating jobs. They say that they are investing in our community. But when it's time to invest in kids and it's time for us to invest in our staff, we look at it as we can't
afford it. You know, we're taking, but we're actually creating jobs. We're investing in our community and we're giving back to our community. Now, it is our responsibility to make sure that the people that we
hire do what's best for kids. That's our responsibility to make sure that if they're in that job that we are maximizing that resource and I believe that we u with the right leadership we
can do that and I also believe that with x amount of millions of dollars we need to be making sure that that money is going back into the classroom as often as possible. And so I'm really excited about the trajectory of where we're
going. Um, and I must say this, they said I could say it, so I'mma say it. When I listen to Dr. Griffin, there was something about her that led me to feel like
we can be the very best. I started feeling like, man, I need to go home and clean up, you know? I need to do better. I need to be better. I need to step up. And I believe that if we keep that mindset, um, we can do better as a
district, we can be our best. We can do what's best for kids. And I want to thank you, Dr. Bus, for standing in the gaps. I wish you well. I um believe that that is a great assignment for I'm not being sarcastic in any way. I mean this
in the depth of my heart. I believe that um I want you to have a great opportunity and experience where you go and I said that I would tell you what I am grateful for. I am grateful for the
website um that we have now. I am grateful for that day you helped me with all those peace day t-shirts when you helped carry all those t-shirts to the to the truck when we had when we had peace day that day. Um, and even though we didn't agree on certain things, you
were respectful to me. And so I am appreciative of that and I wish you well um, in your endeavors. And I thank you, Director Brock Carter, for listening even when you disagree and for delivering this budget that we can, uh, vote on. And now we need the state to do the same.
All right. Thank you, Trusty Doyle. Um, I don't have a whole lot to say. Um really thankful we got past this budget today. Um speak a little bit louder. I'm thankful we got past this budget today and I would like to um thank Dr. Buzz
for his efforts and hard work that he put in in our districts and I also wish you well too. Um everybody deserves a great life. So I wish you that. All right. Up next we have we don't have
treasure rally secretary triplet. Um again I would like to take this opportunity to say to the board of education that you know um in this process of
identifying um our next leader the the first few phases I I did not participate in any of that on purpose and I looked and I saw what you all did.
I think you all did an amazing job. Um, just stepping over on that side briefly to address you all, I I hadn't been on this on the opposite side of the table in some time and it gave me a a clear
look uh of what it is that we do. People don't understand what is required of us. People don't understand that as we go along that we're yet learning as well. No one is
perfect. Um but I want to say to you all, you know, I am so glad that we are out of the storming. I'm so glad that we've gone beyond the the the forming and I think that we're finally on our
way to the norming and that's where we be able to move as a board of education with excellence. I am grateful to Dr. Bernick for stepping in. I hope in this transitional season that we are able to identify those things that need to
happen. So when whomever is elected as the superintendent, they will come in with some things, majority of the things that Dr. Bus didn't get to finish um during his tenure that they'll be able to come in and we'll have some things in place that they really really really
need in order to be successful. Um, there's always room for improvement. That's for any of us. And and uh to Dr. But I put your name on the table.
Um, I I did. And um I I I trust that that was the right thing to do. And I do want to thank you. Um, I hope some of the things that I've shared with you
as you text somebody talking smart but uh on that phone uh if if I didn't if if I if I didn't believe it, I wouldn't say it. You know, I always talk to you about, you know, being a young African-American man and a
leader is very difficult. and so for African-American men period and especially in those roles. So it means a lot to me that you are successful. I know when you look back and reflect
everything has not been perfect but you you hopefully that you've learned from us something that can carry you on to the next level. It is it it it is mandatory that you be successful
and so you don't have an option. And if if anybody that could come through here, you know, with us cuz you you met you were in the tiger's den. You were in a den full of tigers and you came out in one piece, right?
And it had it had and these tigers have a lot of different look, but they have one thing in common. They're tigers. And they are never predator. They are never the prey. I mean, and they go forward all the way to the end. I think you I wish you the very very
best. You're not that far up the road. I'm not coming to Bur O. I've never really I never had a reason to drive even in that direction other than go to the Miss Edwardsburg pageant. But uh if you like to have lunch now, you can I'll come down and stop being
but learn. Yeah, learn. A little bit of learn something. But yeah, but if if if there's anything ever that I can do, little brother, and that's not to diminish who you are and your role or what have you, I'm always here, okay? Not that far away. I know your family is
down in Georgia, but you're 80 80 miles up the road. Brenard, we gonna come. We we may we may have given you a hard time, but if it get too tough, we will come. Even the one talking to now wait, we got to go get in that car. I don't know y'all. We got to ride down just for a minute. So, we wish you the very very
best, sir. Thank Thank you so much. We'll go light them public comments up. Okay, Vice President Bows, first off, I want to apologize if I sounded like I was doing agism in this age of discrimination. I don't want a complaint filed against me. I'm filing a
complaint. It's too late. The second thing I would like to say, our liberty depends on the freedom of the press and that cannot be limited without being lost. by Thomas Jefferson.
Back in 2004 in May, Bitten Harbor had a twister. I happened to be a student right here at the high school. The power went out. It was just an amazing week. We had a choir concert. We had a famous gospel singing
coming and it was American Idol finale. Fantasia Bolina was in it. That twister tore up the community. We were out of school for a week and we had to make it up. Tore up the community. Trees were down. Power was out back then. We had hunts open. They were giving out free
ice cream cuz they lost power. And the, you know, it was just bad. The small business association and the national people FEMA were giving up. It was just horrible. But that was a city in transition. And Dr. Buts, when you came here, we
were in a season of transition. Um you know we had a superintendent one of us some of us on the board wanted to do a superintendent search the other boards members we came here and it was Abra Cadra we had a just a unique
decision look at God and we claiming my time um we had that unique decision so you know under your tenure you helped get the gym floors done you
helped bring Suhei You helped bring a curriculum that reflects the community, smaller, diverse libraries. You helped us rebrand our school district. Um,
and you were a transitional leader. Bitten Harbor gave you your first chance as being a superintendent. And I believe we taught you some valuable lessons. One of the lessons is to know how to fight politically and verbally. Bitten Harour
would teach you. Don't ever take what Bitten Harbor forgot and use it as a bad experience. Use it as a learning opportunity. You got to see the inner workings of us. You came in as a principal and rose.
So I personally would ask the board, could we stand up and give Dr. butts a standing ovation for his tenure. Thank you. Now, I know when you first got here, I didn't want to meet with you. I didn't want to have anything to do with you.
I was getting ready to boycott the meeting. Call the press on me. Threaten the board president about calling the media. Louise, if you're watching, hi. Um, I threatened to call the border. Um, and
Secretary Triplet blocked me in because I was in my car, tried to back out and we he said, "You better take your tail." Well, he didn't say it that nice, but told me to come back in here. So, I just want to say great job. Um, and it was never
personal. It was about my morals and beliefs. Some board members may say I'm gaslighting over micromanagement. It's about conviction and about doing the right thing that you feel. And what's right in my conviction may not be
somebody else's conviction. Right? It's never personal. It's about doing what's right. So I want to say thank you and job well done. and to Angela. Oh, Miss Brock, um, job well done on the budget. You had me scared for a moment. Thought you was
about to say this was your last meeting. You were done and everything else. I wasn't ready for no surprises at the board table. So, I just want to say thank you. And, you know, so often we don't give thanks to our technology people. They're here a lot. It's hot and miserable.
Thank you, Dr. Bernick. And your Yes, Dr. Bernick. I'm expecting great things from you um and your your transitional period too. So, thank you and um God bless you all. Good night. Thank you. Um
so, I would like to remind the board uh July 8th, 2025 is our next board meeting. So, we will have a bit of a breather. We've been going non-stop meeting every week seems like. So, we will have a break um and reconvene Tuesday, July 8th. That will be a
regular board meeting, but we'll also be taking our vote on our superintendent. Um, reminder that we did not have a work session because we use the work session as the meeting group. So, for this reason, I'm asking that Dr. Bus if you could uh you and Miss Singer, if you all
could ensure we can get the agenda emailed out to the board by Monday, June 30th before you leave, is that feasible? Of course. You go through the last second, sir. Um that way uh interim superintendent Chris Bernick
does not have to take on that task by himself of developing the agenda and sitting through his first meeting with us when we haven't had a work session. I'm sure he could appreciate some of your support on your last day of work. I'm sure you were planning to be in office on that day. Most definitely plan
to be home. I think all right. Um, also just want to thank the board for your participation um in our partnership agreement trainings this year. My plan is to send our documentation of completing for all completion for all trainings by June 30th. Uh, special shout out to
our treasurer Bradley for ensuring that I had documentation um that he was that he met me so that I can ensure his name was noted for our most recent training. And then um congratulations to Dr. Bernick. Again, I
know I've said it a thousand times, but congratulations to you. I would ask if we could have a headsh shot and a statement from Dr. Bernie be put on our website and sent out to the district welcoming him as our temporary interim July 1st. I know you're shy, but in Bashful, but we we need to make sure
they know who's running the district so they can know who to uh confront at the public podium. It's Tuesday. Tag your it. Yes. Tag your it. Um and then we need to ensure that
we Dr. Bus and I had talked about uh Dr. Burning just keeping the same phone number, the same district sale that he has so that when people try to reach Dr. Bus, they're calling Dr. Bernick. Um and so it's a smooth transition. And then lastly, um
of course, Dr. Bus, I thank you for your efforts. I'm proud of you. Um, you were able to go from a middle school principal, slid that resume and that PhD and that s superintendent certificate right on across the table to the board and were
able to become our interim superintendent, ultimately our superintendent. So, we're grateful for your presence um for you standing in the gap for Benton Harbor area schools. Um, we knew you were 10 toes down when you had that incident at Fairplane Middle when you got up and kept fighting for
the district. So we we appreciate you. We appreciate your fight uh more than anything and for you um making effort to work collaboratively with the board of education to to achieve greatness on behalf of the district and we wish you
the absolute best in your future at Bur Oak. Um and um we probably will I'm sure one of us will be curious. We'll I'll be online or something. and I just want to see how your transition is and you're more than welcome to call me at any time
for questions or to vent. So, we honor you. We appreciate you. We're grateful and we are happy that you are pursuing your greater with your 5-year contract. I did notice that. I said, "Well, they didn't gave me five years." So, congratulations to you for that
stability in your employment. Um, and just want to thank my board for the unity shown and working collaboratively together. Um, I think this is the most meshed we've ever been and I'm um really excited about uh potential for greatness moving forward as we change our
leadership team again and welcome our new superintendent. Um, and I just want to thank our um, executive administrative assistant, Miss Singer, Director Bar Carter, Mr. Mason,
our tech staff um for your patience and just for being here for the board of education in the district at large. So that is all I have. Um with that being said, I'll ask for a motion to adjourn. I so move. Is there a second? The motion has been made by Secretary Triplet and
supported by Trusty Rocket Martin. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Yes. Um do you have the attorney um telephone number on speed dial? I have a complaint that I need to before I go concede. We're ready. We're ready.
President Robinson, yes. Vice President Bowens, yes. Secretary Triplet, yes. Trusty Rocket Martin. Trustee Gavin, yes. Trusty Doyle, yes. Madame President, Motion carried. Meeting adjourned officially at 9:21 p.m. Have a
great evening and great job everyone.