This meeting is a meeting of the board of education in public for the purpose of conducting a school district's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. This meeting is an in person meeting held here at 87 Colfax here in Benton Harbor. An additional live stream of this meeting is available at the following week. Questions may be submitted beforehand to natalie dot center or v h a s dot org or presenting in person to the public comments section as indicated on the agenda. Board members may be contacted through the emails listed below. Request for special assistance, including for persons with disabilities, may be sent to marilyn.singer@bhas.org.
I call this meeting to order officially at 06:07PM. We'll begin by reciting the pledge of allegiance. With liberty and justice for all. Secretary, Richard, can you please call the roll? President Robinson? Yes. Present. Vice president Bowen? Present. Secretary Triplett, president treasurer Gavin? Present. Trustee Rockette Martin? Present. Trustee Bradley? Present. Trustee Boyle? Madam president, O'Connor has been established. And next, we have approval of the agenda. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? Madam president, I make a motion to approve the agenda as is.
Is there a second, miss Brown? I second. The motion has been made by vice president Bowens and supported by trustee Bailey. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none. Secretary Triplett? President Robinson? Yes. Vice president Bowen? Yes. Secretary Triplett? Yes. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Trustee Rocket Martin? Yes. Trustee Bradley? Yes. Trustee Doyle? Yes. Motion carried. Alright. Up next, we have review of our board members. I'd like to apologize for my tardiness this evening. I had to pick up both my children in two different locations and get them
home. So the board of education matters for good and healthy schools. We will treat each other with respect. We will listen to the mood. We will affirm some side conversations. We will use our time wisely starting in our meetings on time. We will challenge ideas, not people. We will ask questions when in doubt. There'll be no surprises at the board table. We will practice the seven norms of collaboration. Those are pausing, paraphrasing, posing questions, putting ideas on the table, providing dialogue, paying attention to self and others, and presuming positive intentions. Up next, we have approval of the meeting I'm sorry.
Next, we have public comment on agenda items. Is Is there anyone present that would like to make a comment on an agenda item? So an agenda item will be everything that we are discussing today on our agenda. And those topics are, Miss Singer, if you could scroll down. So we have standard meeting minutes. Under board of business, we have our students outstanding student recognition, Michigan Association of School Boards, a resolution to authorize legal counsel at our meetings. We then have a closed session. We have state of the district, update from the superintendent, Vanderbilt High School basketball, district
chat and choose, and board approval for professional development for the superintendent. We also have CTE course approval. Business and finance, we have our January meaningful financial reports, 2026 under tax resolution, and that's currently the main standing item. So if you would like to make a comment on either of those items or anything we're taking vote on this evening, then we can speak at this time. The other opportunity for you to speak is towards the end of the meeting, when you would that you would have to sit through the full meeting to do that.
Okay. Alright. So I will miss Gavin, do you need me to read the public comment statement? Okay. You're on the floor. It's not on. Testing. I think I think it's on. Okay. So I am here as a parent, and my son told me today that he wanted well, he told me a couple days he wanted to come to the board meeting. He asked me if I told the board about this issue, and I told him I didn't because this is my first time being a band parent. K. So I told him that I will support him, and he asked me to make
sure that the board knew about it. So I'm gonna let him say what he wants to say, but I just wanna give some context, as to what it is his issue is. The third stanza of the Star Spangled Banner reads, and where is that band who so bountingly swore that the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, a home and a country should leave us no more, that their blood was washed out their false steps footsteps pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave from the terror of flight or the bloom of the grave. And Francis Scott Key, who wrote The Star Spangled Banner, was not only a slave owner, but this verse in The Star Spangled Banner is celebrating the death of the, black slaves who went to Great Britain to, fight for their freedom. And it's, you know, pretty gory.
And not only did he, have slaves, but his occupation was also, defending slave owners against the abolitionists. And so I just wanted to give that context. He's gonna speak his own mind, but I wanted to make sure that we were clear. Thank you. After my mom told me that about the song that I was performing, me and her asked to my band teacher if we could not play that anymore, and she we first asked her if she knew what the lyrics meant, and she told us that she did know what the lyrics meant, but said it was a requirement to
play them. Yeah, it kinda hurt that she like, I really liked her class, and I really liked her, and it hurt that she required us to play that song. Alright. Is that it? Yeah. Alright. Now we normally don't comment back, but I'm gonna feel like when did your voice get this deep, y'all? I can't take it unless I know your mother is pulling this on. But thank you so much for bringing that to our attention, and we're very proud of you. Alright. Anyone else with public comment? We also have, it in our email.
So if you go to your email so you can be able to look in your email. So I'm just before my time, I just don't have to look at the paper. I didn't receive a copy of it. Oh. Just call. Yep. It is. Then you know when y'all are done. I have a recording. We're gonna start with this one first. Hey. She and, For those that came here, it's, Trevin Alexander saying that the superintendent, Jamal Griffin, did not see a case of William on the other side.
Those are the things I get. Now that was February 25. Today, she called me because she's a little bit worried. She called me today and said she do believe, though, we can see her booking. Now we had a meeting February 11. My by the way, my name is Nikkina Carter. My daughter is Bowie Carter. She has been getting bullied since October 2025. I had did everything I can as a parent. I went to meetings with Trevor Alexander, mister Dorch, superintendent, which the meeting was February 11. I have contacted parents.
I I did everything I can as a parent. The next thing I was was to do was to go to the school. February 11, we sat down with the superintendent, Simone Griffin, and she didn't let my daughter talk. She only thing she asked her is what resolution do you see out of there? How can you figure out a resolution if you didn't hear inside of the store or didn't hear her concern or her problem? So that day, the meeting, we got put out of because the other student, she jumped up. Even in her office, she asked my daughter to apply that school.
Now my daughter has been getting cyber bullied. Her picture's posted all over other people's pages. My daughter has been getting, I would say, verbally bullied. Every time she go to school, she had the other kids come up to her. Nyla said, come in the bathroom. That's fine. She'll go to the she'll go to the principal, mister Alexander. She'll go to mister Dort. She'll go to other staff members and tell them that my okay. Can I'm getting bullied. She has said this. She's asking me to fight. She's asking me to fight. Can you guys do something about this?
They will have to write a statement. That's the only thing they had did is write a statement. I have been to more than five meetings from October up until today. I have been to more than five meetings about this incident. My daughter, she's an honor roll student. That that's that should tell everything. She the people she was born against is the language, I will say. Still, the grades came the the achievements cannot compare. But what what is boiling me is I have came to Trevor Alexander. I have came to mister Dortch. I even sat with doctor Simone.
They all said this is not bullying. If y'all see by the screenshots, you will tell my daughter's getting cyber bullied. She's been getting cyber bullied since October. My daughter wake up, go ready for school. She had to figure out if she's gonna get beat up that day, jump and it's not even about one person. It's a group of girls. They they got video footage. They got audio footage. They have everything, and they still said my daughter is not getting bullied up until today. She called me, and she said, well, looking at the evidence because not only did
last Friday, the girl that's been bullying her group of friends has been bullying my daughter. They took her notebook. My daughter have a test tomorrow. They took her notebook with all her notes. They ripped out all her pages and scribbled all of her notebook and said you played. She didn't have no knowledge of this, but that same day that they they took that notebook, she had a meeting with Trevor Alexander, and he had he didn't mention nothing to her about it. So and let's let's go back some more. Because on February 3, me and Trevor, we sat down, which he recorded with his
metal glasses. Pretty sure there was a I want every footage. He recorded with his metal glasses that he was gonna have the opposing student to sign a no contact agreement, meaning she cannot post my daughter online no more. She cannot say nothing to her in person, out of school. She cannot have no physical contact with my daughter. That same night, I sent screenshots to Trevin about the girl posting my daughter and saying stuff about my daughter online. Do you think she was out the building? Do you think anything happened? No. I took it upon myself to contact doctor Griffin.
I went down to her office, I say, right around the corner. Do you think anything has happened? No. Up until today, when she knew it was a board meeting, that she decided to call me and say, yes. I deemed your child getting bullied. Now a 12 year old named Jada, she just died. And I'm gonna need to be rude that you'll be on your time. So if you could wrap up No. Okay. But I feel like this this needs to be good. I'm sorry. I'm taking up your time. But up in a 12 year old named Jada, my daughter's 12 year old too. She just died from getting bullied. Her, her, her bullies follow her off a bus and beat her so bad that
her heart collapsed. My daughter being in follow-up to her bus on school ground. Doctor. Alexander. I mean, mr. Alexander and Doris is outside. Why is y'all not monitoring? If you said you're gonna keep them away from each other, why is y'all not monitoring these kids? My daughter has been betrayed. She hasn't been stuck up for it, and she don't feel safe at school. Now what I call all I asked for was the students to be removed from the school grounds. My daughter's a honor roll student. High test scores, every no problems. If you ask any of her teachers, any of the staff members, my daughter don't give no problems to know why.
She goes to school, she do her work, and she come there to learn as what a child's supposed to do in a school building. And doctor Simone has failed her not once, not twice, not three times. Up until today, she finally decide to care, and it's not enough for me. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to make a public comment on the agenda items? Hello. I have some copies if you like to see them. My name is Can you speak into the mic, please? My name is Lois Nelson Lowe.
My son is Sheldon Nelson. On 10/27/2025, he was placed on administrative leave. Outcome impending the outcome of an investigation. He received one check, nothing else until this day. I was later told that the boy voted to put him on unpaid leave and put his money in escrow. It took a month for me to, see miss Sheila Dodds Dorsey, whoever she is.
I always talk to James Odds. He finally gave me an email for her, which was wrong. I have in my phone the emails that I sent, which she didn't get because it was the wrong email. Miss Odd would give me her number. Wouldn't give me a number. He stated she worked from home. He took my number and email. February 2026. Miss Dorsey emailed me and gave me till February 13 to bring a doctor's note
for my son. February 10, I dropped off the doctor's note to mister Oz on the corner of Pipestone And Catawba. I dropped her it off at the administrative building on the corner. Missus Darcy stated she needed to talk to my son. The doctor note clearly explains which is attached. It reads, this patient has been under my care cognitive impairment and altered incontinence function since the October and is currently seeking multiple specialists to determine the cause.
He is not capable of answering any question with accuracy at this time until a final diagnosis is determined. Please excuse him from any meetings or questions of for employer at this time. This is dated January 2526. It also says, please call me if you feel that you need to get more information. Missus Darcy suggested that I have him resign. Just like quickly. Have him to resign his position. I was under the impression that he was under contract at Benton Harbor Area Schools.
He's been here for over twenty year working in the school system. Sheldon has had surgery at 02/2526 and another procedure at on 03/06/2026. He's still under the doctor's care. I'm trying to find out where his money is, where are the termination papers. I understand that he had a contract, but shame on you. You all know him. Sheldon, coach Nelson. No one stood up for his character. No one.
I saw the board meeting when all of you guys voted to terminate him, but you didn't have the real story. Ma'am, you don't mean to be rude. Please wrap up your comment. I am. Okay. And so just so you all know, when the bill means, that means your your time is up, so I'm not being rude. Go ahead. And so to to it, someone put 1p in his bank account in February. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else for public comment on agenda items? Hi. My hi. My name is Zoe Carter. I attend Fair Play Middle School.
I have been getting bullied and harassed since October. I am a honor roll student. I wake up every day deeming to go to school because I don't know if I have to fight that day if I will get bullied or harassed. I didn't come into the principal security and the support center about this, and not until today, but they knew I was being bullied. Maybe if I was the student that got screwed up with by the superintendent, things will have been different. This has taken a toll on me mentally, and I don't know and I don't
want to end up like Jada. If of y'all who just passed away from being bullied, school should be safe, free school zone for all students. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else for public comment on agenda items? Hello. Please. Hello. My name my name is Morgan, and I go to Fair Plain Middle School. I am a student. I go to school to learn and show my peers leadership. I have been getting harassed and semi bullied since October, and I have been afraid to I have been afraid to speak up about it because of my mom's position
in the school system. The bullying might in might might not have affected my grades, but it has affected me mentally. Every day I wake up, I am scared that something is going to happen to me. I don't know if the other parties involved are gonna do something to me that I might not come home from. I have met with this principal staff and even super even the superintendent. I wrote statements and still no updates and there was still no update to my mom about the meetings or nothing has been done to to ensure my safety.
Thank you. Thank you. Hello. My name is Shaniqua Davis. I am coming up here as a parent, and I would just like to say, I have had meetings with doctor Griffin, Trevin, and everyone else as well as my sister. I have today. Today was the day I had a update, and this meeting was February 11. Haven't read to see the emails, a call, or anything. Trevor did come to me telling me to sign a no contact order, which I refuse to sign because my daughter isn't the problem, and I don't feel like that
was a proper update. So, yes, I'm just up here to defend my daughter, and and I'm a continue to defend my daughter as a parent. Right? Thank you. Anyone else for public comment on agenda items? Good evening, everyone. My name is Marsha Washington. I am the mother of Nikkina Carter, Shanika Davis, and these two are my grandkids. I just like to read the definition of conflict. A serious disagreement, struggle, or clash clash between opposing ideas, interests, or parties stemming from
different values, goals, or needs. Conflict don't got nothing to do with bullying. I didn't see no I didn't see the meaning that that I just, read off is has nothing to do with what my grandkids was going through. Now I remind you, the people or the kids that's bullying is also my grandkids. I went to which I wasn't gonna get in because my kids are grown. I feel that they can handle this, but it it's just they went too far.
And I encourage my kids, my well, my daughters to take the proper steps and to see what the school would do before they wanted, you know, a different route what they normally do. And I see that the school is doing absolutely nothing. I just feel that it's it's gonna take for somebody to seriously get hurt in order for y'all to take the proper action and doing something to prevent this. This almost well, from October all the way till now of constantly bullet, of constantly
of them telling, you know, the principal or trying to get some type of some type of action, some you know, to stop this. But it's obvious that y'all want something to hurt. Not saying that all of y'all was aware, but to the ones that was aware of what was going on from October. Like, it don't make no sense. And some some of these things happen or something serious happened. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else for public comment on agenda items? Hearing none, we'll proceed with our meeting.
Up next, we have approval of the meeting minutes. We have regular session twelve nine twenty twenty five that have been corrected at, per trustee Bradley's notation. We have special session 01/13/2026, regular session 02/10/2026, and work session 02/24/2026. Is there a motion to approve the the minutes as noted? I'll make a motion to approve the minutes as noted. Alright. Is there a second or support? Support. The motion has been made by trustee Bradley and supported by trustee Rocket Martin.
Any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none, secretary Triplett, can you please call the vote? President Robinson? Yes. Vice president Bond? Yes. Secretary Triplett? Yes. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Trustee Rocket Martin? Yes. Trustee Bradley? Yes. Trustee Doyle? Yes. Madam president, motion carries. Alright. Reminder protocol as of 09/13/2022. All comments will be limited to two minutes per trustee per topic. First item, award business. We have the ball awards for outstanding student recognition.
Doctor Whiteman? Thank you, madam president. I'm gonna start with, February and then proceed to, March. When I call your name, please come up to receive your award and your gift card. From deck, we have Sharla Valentine. Fair Play Middle School, Anthony Jones. Debea Jones. Oh, perfect. It's Elena Mendoza? Because she Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. For, Benton Harbor High School, Kiara Lewis.
What? Oh. Outstanding student, finally presented to Caden Pettigrew. Is that student here tonight? Yeah. No. And, obviously, it is. For this month? Oh, these are the Strife of Bob awards. My apologies. These are Strife of Bob. Skye Caudle? She don't. She don't. I'm out of here. Outstanding student Bronx. Thank you. Congratulations. Congratulations. No. That's enough. You're right. Outstanding student, Brock Spears. Outstanding student, Aliyah Phipps. Congratulations, darling. Our next student, Serenity Bell.
It's not too good. Thank you, John. Congratulations. Congratulations, darling. You are. Thank you. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you both for good work. Congratulations. Shatoria Deshanty. And last but not least, Jaquan Williams, outstanding student. Congratulations. Alright. Congratulations to all of our winners tonight. I would like to open the floor if the chair curriculum has any any feedback for our students. I wanna congratulate the students and the parents, for all of your hard work, all of the sacrifices that you make that nobody sees.
It's really good to see you here, and you all are what is restoring the roar. We have a ways to go, but we'll get there with you, and we thank you all for coming out and everything you're doing. Congratulations to the to our children. Alright. Awesome. Our next item of business today is the Michigan Association of School Boards twenty twenty six election, staff report b one. Okay. So subject, Michigan Association of School Boards, board of directors vote for region says Region
4, aren't we? Six? Yes. Okay. So that should be noted as six. Okay. Reason for board consideration, the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education must vote to elect a representative for reason six of the Michigan Association of School Boards, MASV Board of Directors. Facts and analysis. The Benhaber Abbey School Board of Education has reviewed and discussed the candidate biographies provided by the Michigan Association of School Boards for Region 6 representative position. The following candidates are eligible for selection. Charlie Fulbright of Battle Creek Public Schools, Calhoun County, Tianna Harrison, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Kalamazoo
County, Elizabeth O'Dell, Saint Joseph County ISD, Saint Saint Joseph County. The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education is entitled to cast one vote for a candidate representing Region 6 in the twenty twenty six election. Policy reference nine, recommend the action that the Benton Harbor eighty Schools Board of Education votes select candidate blank to represent Region 6 on the MASB board of directors. So at this time, I'll ask the board, is there a recommendation for a candidate
at this time? I'd like to have some time attending the Michigan associate of school board conferences and workshops and what have you. And, this is really, really tough, but I would like to recommend Tiana Harrison with Kalamazoo Public School, Kalamazoo County. I think it's closer. We're Battle Creek in Kalamazoo. It's not that far apart, but I think that, I've seen miss Harrison in action.
She is the president of the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education. At the conferences, you'll see her throughout the conferences working. They also had an opportunity to do a powerful presentation as it relates to their school district. And, I think she would be a great representative, so I would like to put that at the forefront. Okay. So a motion has been made by secretary Triplett to approve staff report b one with Tianna Harrison as a representative for Regency's on the MOSB board of directors.
Is there a second? A second. The motion has been made by secretary Triplett and supported by trustee. I'll open the floor for any additional discussion or comments. You have the floor? I was gonna say yes. This is a tough choice. I've like I said, come going to the state conference, but I've known all three. I've met miss Odell, met, Tiana, and I've met Charlie, Fulbright. And so we we got three awesome candidates, and whoever we decide to go with, I'll be happy with it. Any other comments from the board? I've also seen Tianna in action at the school board conferences, and, I think she
would represent our district well, our area well. And I will just add that I agree, with secretary Triplett's recommendation. I was able I'm familiar with all three of them from going to the conferences, but I was able to have a really candid conversation with miss Harrison as it relates to your expectations of a president in a row. And so I have had an opportunity to get to know her a little bit better than the other candidates. However, I agree that they are all worthy. So I'm voicing support of trustee Harrison as well. If there's no other comments, I would ask the secretary to please call the vote
for staff report b one. Madam president Oh, you have the floor. I will be rejecting that vote. I actually support Elizabeth Odell. She has an impressive resume, and, she's the incumbent, and I got to talk to her. And, you know, she's part of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and her commitment and everything into the community is extremely well. So I will be voting no on her because I support Elizabeth O'Dell. Understood. And and I was not aware she was a sore.
I wish her well in her endeavors, but that will not be changing my vote this evening. So secretary Triplett, can you please call the vote? President Robinson? Yes. Secretary Triplett? Yes. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Trustee Rocket Martin? Yes. Trustee Bradley? Yes. Trustee Doyle? Yes. Vice president Bowen? No. Motion carried. He has a stingiest no. And then how a school's board history? Yeah. Okay. And next week Hope that's good. Hey. No. Tried to bait me with the delta sigma beta, didn't you?
I know. I know. I was thinking out loud at this game. I'm still getting out. Tried to bait me. You did. It's okay. Sorry. It's easy to give me out of here. Not to support the delta. Well, it makes no sense. Alrighty. Resolution to authorize legal counsel of board meetings. This is staff of board b two. We've had conversations regarding this particular board report. There's three options that are available. There's option a, which is authorizing Clark Hill to provide legal counsel at our regularly
scheduled board meetings. There's option b to authorize Truman Law Firm to provide legal counsel, and option c to decline to authorize standing legal counsel attendance at all meetings and instead request legal counsel attendance on an as needed basis as determined by the board president and or superintendent. And, of course, it's written there, but you all make recommendations, and I tend to try to respect the role of the board. So, at this time, I'll open up the floor for staff report b two, which are suggested recommendation.
You'll make your motion with your options of a, b, or c. I'll ask if there's a support to that, and then we'll have conversation and standing. We'll take the vote to see if the suggestion, passes. Lieutenant Robinson. Oh. Okay. So I don't know who had the hand up first, but we'll go to Gavin. Lieutenant Robinson, I'd like to make a motion that we support, option a of resolution b two. Alright. Is there a second on support? Support. The motion has been made by trustee Gavin and supported by trustee Doyle. Any conversation at this time?
Questions, comments, or concerns? I've I've wanted I thought we were gonna be able to have some discussion before we made that recommendation, so we can work it out. So it's it's standard that discussion takes place once the motion's on the floor. I'm not sure if your opinion differs from option a. You can voice your opinion at this particular time of discussion. And then if you disagree with option a or feel otherwise, then you can vote no on the presented motion, and then we'll see if someone has an alternative.
Thank you so much for that clarification, madam president. I, I'm trying to look at option a, which would be Clark Pills at Mackinac. And so if the board decides to hire, an attorney to be at the board table for legal counsel, I would, and I will support, Clark Hill being that firm that represents. Feel very comfortable, in the things that they've done for the Board of Education, and
I don't think that they I think it's clear that this and that their firm has shown that they they work for the Board of Education, not for the school district. Because we have to have a separate entity to represent us. However, I, you know and I when I look at the salary, I think it's a great investment, you know, but I also I don't know, when you say annually,
$21,000, that's for the year. Mhmm. That's the highest they can they they can receive from us. That's estimated. So that's based on six hours per month. So if we have a need for them beyond the six hours, then it would increase. If we have a need less, it depends on the length of the meetings. So, another question. This would be a separate person because they're already under our hire in human resources. Is that not correct? So this is an associate, rate. I'm not sure whether, Kara I think she may be considered a senior staff member.
I do. But that's that's a clarification I'm not saying of, but she I would guess that she's a senior similar to Gardner being a senior. But we would definitely need a senior. We cannot have another year. Uh-uh. But, I also think that if we could I don't know if the motion carried or if the motion is out there like that where you would say, based on me because if if if this were the case, she would be here or the representative would be here tonight at the table.
And there's not a pressing issue, but they'll still get paid. Correct. Yeah. And she replied, I would think the counsel will sit at the table with directors. K. Cool. That's fine. So I I I I could if I if we go down to a a firm, I would support Clark Hill. But I I do stand kinda, like, with, on a needs base, but with Clark Hill being those in the the company that we call. So you are saying you're more so your idea is more so option c, but with Clark Hill.
Clark Hill being the law firm that we use to represent us. Okay. We'll go Barnes and then Bradley. Thanks, Gavin. I'm not sure if she was up before they were in Marquette. She was up before Okay, Gavin. Thank you, president Robinson. What I would say is that, if you want to dismantle a dish a district a school district, and we are clear now, finally, is documented that project 2025, is clearly an extension of what's been going on in, cities like Benton Harbor for over
thirty years, that there is a mandate to, eliminate public schools, and privatize so that they can go further into our pockets for education. Some folks don't like it that our tax dollars are here to educate our kids. If you want to eliminate a public school, the smartest thing to do is get rid of their protection. And if many of us could have a lawyer sitting next to us before we make certain decisions, we will have that lawyer sitting next to us so that we
can make those wise decisions. Even if we make a choice to go otherwise, to have that wise counsel is important. And there was a time when we had a lawyer at the table, when Benton Harbor Area Schools was stronger, to stand up for us, and the difference is clear. There was a time when we had strong CTE presence. There was this time when we've had a lot of protections in place for our district, and we've been without it.
And I can tell, when we are making decisions on multimillion dollar contracts, we need that wise counsel to make sure that we are getting everything that we think we're getting. People can say, yep. It's in there. Yep. It's in there. But we need to have a lawyer present who has a responsibility to look in there and tell us whether or not it actually is. And so and when there are certain issues that arise, it's just smart for us
to have that. And so Clark Hill has demonstrated that they do their due diligence, and so I, am hoping that my colleagues will go with me, in supporting option a. Thank you, trustee Gavin. Trustee Bradley? I will say I'm not in favor of option a or option b. I'm more so in favor of option c. And, you know, I'm not against having counsel. I do remember when we did have counsel at board meetings, back when I was student board member, way back in the day.
But I will say that I to save cost, I would look want to look for I would prefer, True Law Firm. But to save cost, I also would see if we could find something more closer because I know that sometimes our board meetings can go long. So when we have my well, my question would be, would we have a limitation of how long that, counsel will sit in the meeting? So if we say, for instance, our meeting starts at six and we're out by eight. Okay. That's fine. That's two we're paying for two hours.
But what if we have a long meeting going all the way until nine, ten, or 11:00 at night because we have a lot of issues? That's one thing I would need to know the logistics on, in order to go with go with one of those options. But I prefer option c where we have, counsel on a needed basis, or we should also look into finding somebody more local in the area that could give us a better rate. Thank you. Is there any other trustee? Trustee. I have two. I'm in favor of option c. Legal counsel is needed.
Our attorneys are very close, and we can always call them when we need them without having to pay $2.85 an hour just to sit at the table. If we were going to have other, with options, see, I am with mister Triplett. I don't mind having Clark Hill at the table with option c. I know that lawyers are there to give you legal advice, and this is an associate. It's not a senior lawyer. But I also know that sometimes lawyer's advice is not always the best advice. If you look at the legal the yeah, in the in the legal system.
You know? But we would, hopefully follow our lawyer's advice because I have known the times that they gave us advice that we failed to follow it. So with that being said, I would rather play option c and just have them at the at the table as we need. Point of clarity, vice president Barnes? Yes, trustee Gavin. I just wanna be clear that option c does not say just say as a as needed basis. It says on an as needed basis as determined by the board president and or
superintendent. So that's not just as needed. There has to be president or the superintendent has to make that determination. Okay. Thank you. That's fine. The superintendent leads the district, and the board president leads helps the board. So, they're in that position because of the judgment call that they can make. So, and I I believe our board president would consult us. At times, she has, in the past, consulted us when there were times that we needed to have or she wanted to bring the lawyer on board, and that has
never been a problem. So I don't see that being a problem for us. Thank you. Madam president, I'm gonna say my comment and Go ahead. So when we look at this, I guess my concern is with Clark Hill, at $2.95 an hour, Doonlaw at $2.85 an hour. So when you look at that option, a, I I guess, if we have pending litigation and stuff already going on on our personnel matter, HR matters, they tend to
help with HR. Are they versed well versed in school board law as soon? I also would support option c, but I will go with whatever the will of the board is. Okay. Has everyone had an opportunity to speak they wanted to? Okay. And I'm sorry. I I had to step away for a second. So I am more familiar I am more in support of option c, and we have our I feel we have our agendas in advance to be able to review
them and to determine whether we think it's a a time where we need, counsel present. So I and I think I've kinda I've been always open to it, and and, of course, I support the will and majority of the board as well. But I do think that we would be able to be flexible to, authorize counsel to be here with option c, and we could determine whether or not we felt it was a situation with most pressing for Carkerel or TRU. Carkerel has specialized specifically with us for HR services, but they do they are a
firm similar to TROOM, although TROOM has a monopoly, I think, in the state of Michigan for a lot of school boards. They also have, counsel who are, you know, they have certain specialties within the, within their law firm. So it's not just HR services that they're able to provide. So if anyone has known their comment, I guess we can, begin yes, sir. K. So this is my question. After I heard my colleague, remarks and and and and what have you, I I
I think I would I would push for going with option a with Clark Hill. That's just my personal I I feel that the way in which they represent it as, trustee Rocket Martin said, they now you know, we've had situations where it hasn't always been the best. I my I think my as our president stated, Troon represents the majority of the state of Michigan. Mhmm. And I don't know I I you know, I you guys know how I feel
about that situation. I think we need to have something separate and apart because we get too comfortable with it. And every time that we've had any encounters that I've been on the board of education and not the victim, Clark Hill have done a professional job and a good job. So I I I I think that we need to clarify specific. Are they gonna be at every meeting? Are they gonna be at the workshop? Does this include the workshop and the board meeting?
And those type of things. That stuff is kinda up in the air for me. I when I look at this contract, it is not clear. Because that's two meetings a month. Is that within the $21,000 annually? You know, how does that look? I I don't have an under a clarification on that as well. So I believe that trustee Gavin is who had assisted with the yeah. I think she's she's the way that it's timed, it says regularly scheduled even though one is a regular board meeting and the other is the work session.
It's based on two meetings per month at approximately six billable hours. So with anticipation that our meetings would go three hours. I do want you all to to keep into consideration is unless they are virtual, there may be travel time included as well, but that would depend on whether we felt we needed them in person, things of that nature. So there's different dynamics that could impact the estimated annual cost, which is why it's it's an estimate. President Robinson.
You have the floor. I think I think it makes sense for them to be at the regular meeting. They can give advice based on the information that was given at the prior meeting. They could be prepared, and they can advise, you know, give proper advice into, whether it's an important vote or whether it's an important contract, or an important rental issue or some other issue that we need that advice before we end up making a
costly mistake. So, I think that's a way to go. And then if the board deems that there's a need at a, you know, at a special meeting or something like that, I think that, you know, you have those powers to do that. Okay. So with that I think it should be virtual mostly. They don't they need to hear and see. They don't necessarily we don't need to touch them. We just need them to hear and see and give advice. Okay. So she just clarified that her she would suggest just the regular board meetings with feedback or questions received through the work session as needed.
Even though that cuts it down to really only one regular meeting, I think it's probably, sometimes we have additional meetings that we have. So I'm not sure if the board is, because it seems to be additional questions that individuals have. I'm not sure if the board the majority, the the will of the board is to proceed with taking the vote currently, because I have no other discussion if we're
ready. But I know secretary is saying he's he feels it needs to be more fleshed out. So okay. So are you all saying that you're not ready to take this vote at this time? Okay. So are you do you have a motion to table? Madam president, I make a motion to table this this matter at this time. Alright. Is there a a second or support to that? Okay. So the motion's table for due to lack of support. So we okay. So we can we can I'm, flexible with the discussion on the conversation. I think that we have had this topic on the agenda a couple times.
So I want us and I'm not trying to rush anybody with the, vote, but I just wanna be I just wanna put it on the record that I've broke the two minutes per trustee for a topic, and allow for additional discussion. Go ahead. Yeah. On the days that we, may not have a quorum and they come, do we still pay? If they're in person and there was travel time. Yes. Vice, vice president. Thank you. Before we vote on this, I guess it's as you can see, the colleagues have a lot of questions.
What what we're doing virtual travel time, making sure that it's an agreement that is solid. We know if it's not in writing and not something that we are voting on that is putting everything in stone, it's ways around it. So right now, we're saying 21,000, but then it you know, what happens when we cap that budget? We go over that, and they have to come back and back. You know? What is it? You know? What is the agreement that we have set in with them? At this time, we don't have an agreement right now we're taking they provided us
with the with their rates. It was discussed with both, and they provided rates. So there is no agreement to this because they have active active retainers for cost. So So we are taking the first step in saying that we want to authorize legal counsel presence at board meetings. So before we authorize it, maybe we should ask them to submit something to us. So it sounds like you were wanting to table, but you didn't support Blackhead Martin's table suggestion. I love it when you keep that. Gotcha. No. I'm not trying to get you. I wanna make sure I'm understanding what the board is communicating to me.
Madam president, Bobby Brown's no. I'm just like, it's my Friday. No. I'll do like I said, I'll do if the board wants to table it, it is that's the prerogative of the board or whatever. I would do whatever the board wants to do. As of right now, I think it would be naive for us to vote on something, and we do not have. Okay. So how about this? Because I know that this is something the resolution was, initiated by trustee Gavin. It's something that she's been discussing or bringing up in one way or another, whether it's old business or new business for quite some time.
And so I wanna make sure that we're honoring the considerations of everyone. So you all feel as though you need more information. What I can do is I can invite Arcio and Trum, see if they're they're able to send a representative to the next work session, and we can get those questions answered and hashed out while they're here. And they plan to make a vote, in our March work session later this month. That's just an an offer because I I want everybody to feel comfortable. Secretary Triplett. Madam president, I have been convinced that I do believe that we need legal counsel,
here at our meeting, if only for a season. We're I think that we're in the in the season of becoming a well oiled machine. You know? You you we're we're we're we're normie. Mhmm. If I have to categorize, as a board, that we're normie. And in that normie, I think it's important that, there there there's loads of things that that that are happening. There's loads of things that we need clarification on.
There are a lot of upcoming things that are that that that are happening at the forefront as we get into the close of even of this school year. So for me, I think that I I think that we, first of all, have to establish whether or not who feels that we because right now, we're doing option c anyhow. Well, we need an attorney before president calls and ask the court and that person to come down. So that that's not anything that I thought about it. That's what we do already. So I think we need to just be straightforward and say, hey. Do we want to have a representative here?
Do we feel that we need an attorney here? I after I've done my nailing, I feel that we need an attorney here to to guide and assist us, along the way. It doesn't mean that and and then if we if we if we select and say we want to have an attorney here, and then the the the fine I mean, the the little fine thing that needs to be taken care of, we can do that once we decide whether or not we want a an attorney to be
here. Correct. We can we can take a vote based on this estimate. We find this other small amendments that are needed or an altering of the amount noted, then that can always be an amendment to the this board report. Alright. So if there is no other questions or discussion, secretary, can you please call the vote? This is for staff report b two Okay. For the option a. The motion was mailed by trustee Gavin. I believe was it supported by Doyle? Yes. Supported by trustee Doyle. Secretary of truth, please call the vote. President Robinson?
No. Vice president Bowen? Can you come back to me? Sure. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Trustee Recker Martin? No. Trustee Bradley? No. Trustee Doyle? Yes. Vice president Bowen? No. Secretary Triplett, yes. Okay. Be so that was it failed for option one. At this I mean, option a. I'm sorry. Correct. It failed. Are there any other recommendations for this particular staff report at this time, or would you all like to bring it back for the work session? Trustee Bradley. I wanted to, put a motion on the floor for option c, but if they
wanna take it back to work work to the work session, that's fine. So what's the role of the board? Do you all wanna proceed with option c now, or would you prefer additional information? Madam president, I Yes. Option c does not give us a legal, financial cap. If you notice, the other ones are saying cost of $21.20. Option c, it's not a financial cap going in that I don't think we I don't well, go ahead. Finish your comment. Sorry. So what I would recommend is once we get you made a statement earlier about
getting both of them to come in and do a presentation and everything or, you know, a cost proposal, then we go from there on which one we wanna do it. It looks like the Willis Clark Hill, but we need more info. Okay. Gavin? I don't we're already doing option c. We've been doing it for years, so I don't see a need to vote on something we've already been doing. The board has decided to bow down having the legal protection. So there's no No.
There's no need to bring it back up unless the board changed their mind. So the one thing that I will say is that when we have a a council present, it's been in a closed session when we're receiving an opinion of council, which is not privy to the public. I don't know that we've we will we will or, and I'm not gonna say we haven't had them actually present within meeting during the public, you know, before the public. They're they're always in closed session. However, I do understand what you're saying. We do call them down as needed. So I guess I I I don't wanna belittle the the discussion.
If the board does not feel as though the resolution is needed at this time, then we can proceed without the vote. Secretary Triplett. What would have to happen if because we need to find out who on the board feels that we need legal representation at our moment. And I think that's that's the first thing. If they don't feel that we need it Okay. Then it's a viewpoint. I personally feel in the season that we're in and where we are going that we need to have an attorney at our meeting to help guide and assist us
and readily available so that we can do the work and not have missed out. That's my truth. So I don't think I don't think anyone at the table and if I'm misspeaking for anyone, please let me know. I don't think anyone at the table disagrees with presence of counsel. I think the different at least my note, and my, counterparts that voted no may have voted for different reasons. But my note is that I don't think it's necessary that they be present at every meeting. And so as I stated before, we get our agendas five days in advance.
I try to ensure we do. Sometimes there's situations where we don't. But if you see that there's something, a hot topic or something that we might need legal clarification on, then at that particular time, I will receive you know, the board has requested to have counsel come down prior, and we've gotten them here. So this the difference would be counsel wouldn't just be in closed session, giving us an opinion of counsel. They would be here through the devotion of the meeting. If it's a particular vote, we think we think we need them for Whatever we've specified that looks like.
So, again, I ask if I wanna the initial motion has failed. I I'm trying to respect the will of the board, but also keep us moving as it relates to the meeting. So I would like to know I'll call one last time if there's an additional motion regarding staff report b two. If not, we'll proceed with the agenda. Alright. So we'll continue forward. The next item of business we have is the closed session. So just so the public is aware before all week, the reason, the board is gonna go into a closed session, which is gonna be another one.
The law does give us a right to discuss certain matters not before the public based on open meeting act in our policy or bylaws. And so we're gonna step out for a second. You all are welcome to remain here. If we are taking longer than you anticipate and you would like to proceed with your day, wanna remind you that we are on Zoom live. So you can always tune in from your Zoom. So at this time, closed session. And and I'll ask the board. Yeah. At this time, we'll go into a closed session.
The Board of Education may hold a closed session to consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of or to hear complaints or charges brought against or to consider a periodic personal evaluation of a public officer, staff member, or an individual agent with the name person request a closed hearing. Reference policy number 0167.2 a. A majority vote is required. So at this time, I'll ask, is there a motion to end open session and enter call session for policy zero one six seven point two a?
Madam President. Support. The motion has been made by secretary Triplett and supported by vice president Burns. Yeah. Mhmm. Questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none. Are we going directly into closed session, or did you all you wanna take a quick a little slow? Okay. So secretary Triplett, please call the vote. President Robinson? Yes. Vice president Bowen? Yes. Secretary Triplett? Yes. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Trustee Rocket Martin? Yes. Trustee Bradley? Yes. Trustee Doyle? Yes.
Motion carried. Alright. So I would ask that the board, doctor Griffin, and director of HR meet us in the closed session room. We're entering closed session as of 07:12PM. Alright. Is there a motion to end closed session and return to open session? Take a motion. Closed session and return to open session. Is there a second in support? Support. The motion has been made by trustee supported by vice president Burns. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none, secretary Triplett, can you please call the line?
Okay. President Robinson? Yes. Vice president Bowen? Yes. Secretary Triplett? Yes. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Trustee Rocket Martin? Yes. Trustee Bradley? Yes. Trustee Doyle? Yes. Motion carried. Alright. We are returning to open session as of 08:32PM. Okay. So, while we when I had stepped out of the closed session, I realized that we have two entities specifically that have been waiting for us. Staff report team one, a lovely staff. She needs she has to go pretty soon. And then it's come to my attention that Ricotta is here to give a brief
q and a, but I'm not exactly sure when on the agenda that's supposed to be. It's not loaded. Okay. So you can go ahead. So I would ask, I would ask for an amendment, a a quick amendment to the agenda to move staff report t one up directly after the closed session. And then we can if you all have no objections, we'll, amend to a for a brief presentation from from. And he said it was just a I think he said five minute q and a if we needed to.
Okay. Can I have a motion to amend the agenda as noted? I make a motion to amend the agenda to include Ricardo. I second the motion. Okay. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Alright. Hearing none, we have CTE course approval staffing. Hello? Hello? We're gonna double check your mic is on. Is it on? You can hold it if you need to. So what so what let me see. Let me get to your staff report. So you can, you have a copy of the staff report yourself? Okay. You can read it, and then we'll I'll ask for a motion to accept or
approve, and then we'll go into any questions we have. So, our reason for board consideration is that the Board of Education shall approve all curriculum used as part of the educational program of this district. Facts and analysis. Each year, the Michigan Merit curriculum board must approve CTE classes that are offered at each school. Policy reference twenty two ten for curriculum, twenty two twenty for adoption of course study, twenty four twenty one career and technical education, and fifty four sixty for graduation requirements for CTE.
Strategic plan goal reference, the mission of Benton Harbor Area Schools is to educate, guide, and inspire students by developing their skills and knowledge to be globally competitive. The recommended action that the board the Benton Harbor Area School Board of Education votes to approve the recommendation for the Michigan merit curriculum credit being exchanged and or replaced with a state approved CTE class credit for each program at the grade level where the credit is offered.
Alright. Is there a motion to approve staff report t one? I so move. Is there a second or support? Support. Okay. Now I I before we go into questions and comments, was there clarity? Because I know that you are tuned in. I think you tuned in to the meeting, and so there were some questions that were asked by the board. And so I wanna give you an opportunity to give clarifications that you have based on the feedback that you received in your absence. Yes. One of the biggest concerns was for our, document that was presented as far as
which classes would be replaced or exchanged. I want to give clarification that a replacement is basically stating that, our students won't be, for example, taking algebra two. But after discussion between myself, doctor Griffin, and our, Berry and Risa team, our district specifically will not be exchanging and or replacing any algebra credits. It's outlined on the document her class, which credits could be exchanged, which would be
considered a personal curriculum, which would be worked out with the counselors for graduation requirements per student. Okay. And so another question that I remember us having because we a bit a lot of our discussion was trying to determine whether that was a vote that we needed to take at that time. And so what clear clearly that I've received it, that this is something that is past due? Correct. It was due to the county 09/30/2025. Lower families. Okay. And so what occurs at this particular time?
We have to get it in at this point. But will the courses at this point, will the courses count? That will be a district decision. The main purpose of our MMC credit is because we have students going out and students coming in. So countywide, each school district has to say which credits that a CTE course could replace or re exchange for. And at this moment, that is affecting three of our Coloma students who come in for construction. Because we haven't taken this vote. Correct. Trustee Garland. Thank you, president Robinson.
Director Wilson, my it says that the the file is not available to view, but so, hopefully, that could be, you know, corrected. I wanna get some clarity around this algebra two credit. I know that one of the benefits of CTE classes help me understand if this is related or not. One of the benefits of, CTE classes is that those classes, excuse certain, poor class
requirements. Correct. Are you saying that before this decision, the algebra two credit was excused through CTE, but now we're not allowing that? Correct. Okay. So that concerns me. And I know that some of us are you know, love math. Right? I get it. Some of us absolutely love it. And some of us don't use algebra too. They just don't use it. But those hands on classes, they do use it.
And if we are requiring something that other districts are not requiring. You know? What we're doing is putting our students at a competitive disadvantage. I think that algebra two is great for those mathematicians who wanna go in those fields, but there are a whole lot of fields and open wide empty space for professions that are important that don't require algebra two.
And I I I want to support it the way it was offering that algebra two excuse through hands on careers and technical education classes. So you're saying at one point so not what you originally presented for approval now, but you're saying historically CTE? In our curriculum guide, currently, it states that our CTE courses do waive a algebra two credit. And what was the and what was the can you verify again the reason that it was determined not to do so?
It was just a it was just a decision made? Yes. Okay. So we can go. Second to entry, I think, you know, for clarification purposes, when, you know, we talk about our CTE program, which was, quote, unquote, dismantled, When we talk about, like, for what example what what class would they take that would that would stand in for algebra tubing? So last year, my first year in, when I hit the ground rolling, I met with Barry and Risa and Kalamazoo Risa along with our Barry and Risa team.
The class specifically, to answer your question, would be our robotics and engineering classes. Myself and Robin sit down and crosswalked that class before it became a CTE class to get it state approved where miss Mason does have to incorporate. We sat down with our algebra two certified teacher, and she stated the sorry, I can't think of the name, but the ZIP code? What'd you say that? Is it ZIP code? Something like that? Not ZIP code. I guess the learning objectives or something like that along in algebra two that would
support if a student passed our robotics and engineering class, she would feel comfortable stating that they would do well as far as algebra two. That material is included in that email, the crosswalk, and conversations between myself, Barry and Reese. Well, for me, I guess, I asked the question. I questioned it, as far as algebra two were concerned Mhmm. And and and particulars because I didn't see the connection. However, I think it's important that the Board of Education understand that on that SAT,
a major part of that math test is algebra two. And our students must you know, we must start I know many people don't think that our kids are capable, and I don't believe that because I believe what we see, it has, reporting from a state perspective because our kids have not been taught big thing. Our kids have not had the necessary rigor. We always talk about being competitive. Okay? And I know everybody does not, but we we talking about the SAT that our
juniors all juniors across the state of Michigan is mandated to take. Because we have district that that that's looking at it from this perspective as well that they have not taught algebra too. And a lot of our juniors across the state is taking the SAT, having never had algebra too. So that's why I state does not require algebra anymore. But I'm I'm saying for us as a district or the state or the SAT that's required is that our kids that that's what I'm concerned about. I'm and and when our classes and our program was underdeveloped and in its infancy
of rebuilding, I was very concerned about giving that to, substitute what we have. You know? So now, you know, to have that, I can see the connection hands on where they will learn about linear linear equations and all those different things. They'll do that type of work. But we also need to understand how important that rigor is in in order for our kids to be successful and to be competitive. That's true. And document as is, we are not waiving algebra two credits. They could get a fourth year math credit waived, but we are not waiving algebra
two. Okay. Thank you. Alright. I think Valance had a question or a more than I forgot the question. Okay. And then, before we take the vote, because I think everyone's pretty in support. It sounds like I didn't hear any objection necessarily to t one. I just wanna and I don't know if it's best. Whomever has the authority to clarify this question is probably who is best to answer. I just wanna understand. If it was due in September, I think we tried to bring it forward in February. What what can somebody help clarify what caused the four to five month delay?
I'll allude to that. Madam president, there was concerns in the academics department where, the person who leads did not want to, sign for it. I can't hear you, ma'am. There was concern regarding signing for it, so I took it on to get it approved. Okay. There were concerns in the the academics department regarding our signing for These changes. Correct. What? The this form has to be presented yearly.
Last year, we did not have a robotics or engineering course Right. Price or board approval. Like I said, I did the work and got that course approved. Hold your mind a couple of days. Last year, we did not have robotics and engineering as a CTE course. It was an elective for our school district. This year is our first official year of having robotics and engineering as an approved CTE course through the state. Okay. Yeah. I'm not a president. Go ahead. Yes. Also, we being new to the district, it did take us both time to kinda just understand what this meant.
So before we committed or I committed to bringing it before the board for approval, I wanna thank miss Arlene, Wilson as director for clarifying what it really meant so I could be educated around the decision. So you you support this at what you're what you're bringing to us? Because you read the the board report, and I know you're not used to having to come and and read it. But as our CTE director, you are asking us to do this. Correct? Correct. And you wish we would have done it prior, but you're here today and have waited all day for us to do this.
Correct? Yes, ma'am. Okay. And you support this? Okay. With the Trusting Robin Trusting Gavin. I just I need some I need some clarity. My hand was up prior to You see how you froze it? You said that you sat down with the algebra two certified teacher, crosswalked the the learning objectives, and they are satisfied through the robotics engineering course.
And we have a opportunity to allow the robotics engineering course to satisfy the algebra two, credit, where the student doesn't have to take the algebra two class. They could take this hands on robotics technology and engineering course instead. But what we are faced with now is still requiring the algebra two even if they take the robotics engineering class that satisfies that. Yes. And so what yeah. Thank you. What I would love for us to consider is fixing that, allowing the robotics engineering
and technology course to satisfy the algebra two credit now that we have all of the information. And so I would if possible, I would love to make a motion to support this with There's a motion on the floor, so it would have to be replacing that. Yeah. Would you like to request an amendment? Secretary Shablett. Thank you. Would you would you be willing to amend your motion? Please. Pretty Can I talk? You have the floor. Good. Okay. Answer. I wanna make sure that it's alright. With this clarification, I would like to Amend your motion?
Amend my motion. Go back to professionals who have done the work. I can support this in that manner. So you wanna amend the approval of staff reporting with allowing the robotics courses that it is to be accredited for algebra two. Correct? Yes. I have a question about that. So we can get that we at this moment, would you guys approve for that change to be made, and we could just go ahead and mark this on the paper, and I can submit it to the county or That's what we're taking them out. Yeah. So you wouldn't have so his what his mission is he's approving the staff report
with that amendment that we're allowing the robotics course to stand in place and ask for two. And it's in it's original form. The work that you are, I do not want to disrespect it. But, however, I want to I'm glad that it was brought to the forefront, and there was some clarity. Because I'm not just because you're doing cosmetology that you got, that's a whole no. A science. I'm I'm I'm just saying what they're gonna be with. That's the English 10 credit, and because she's not put, eyelashes on. I'm not doing that.
Okay. K. So we respect that. I'd like to go back to that clearance. Yep. Who made who made the who had the support? I supported it. I'm not sure if you heard me. It was Bradley. Yeah. Bradley supported. Okay. Bradley, do you support the amendment? Yeah. Okay. If there's no other questions, comments, or concerns, secretary, please call the vote for the approval of staff report t one, concerning the Michigan mayor curriculum with the notation that we will be allowing the robotics course to be an alternative for algebra two.
So the options are tenth through twelfth grade. What is your recommendation? What grade is I don't know what grade they're required to take there. I would say that that grade. Tenth to twelfth? I don't know if that's the two is eleventh grade or twelfth grade. Grade. Yeah. Did you algebra, geometry, trigonometry, algebra two? So I would think eleventh or twelfth grade. For the required for the for the grade level as required. How is that? Okay. Is that you support that secretary triplet? At least I mean, that's your your I mean, that'll be supported? Yes. Okay.
Secretary triplet, please call the vote. You have a floor to call the vote. President Robinson? Yes. Vice president Bowen? Yes. Secretary Triplett? Yes. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Trustee Rocket Martin? Yes. Trustee Bradley? Yes. Trustee Doyle? Yes. Motion carried. Alright. Thank you. Go get your baby. Alright. Up next, we have. They've come because I believe the last meeting that we had, there was a request for additional, services for the Administration Building. There were some concerns expressed by, myself as well as other members of the board.
And so they're just gonna give us a quick presentation. You all have this, handout that was provided, and then they're here for any q and a. We'll go ahead and give you the floor of how you would like to start, and then we'll open it up for questions. Thank you so much. We'll try to be efficient. I was here a year and a half ago when you originally approved for Verkada to be your sole security solution. So thank you for being valued customers of ours. And secondly, thank you for inviting us and amending to have us be able to present today. Really appreciate it. My name is Jay Schaff. I'm the regional manager of Michigan for all schools and governments, and this is Alexis
standing in the place of Rhiannon, who was also here a year and a half ago. So there was, some questions and concerns brought up last month, primarily around the Cape Center, now known as the Administrative Building. That motion was denied to have basically upsell or have a purchase of additional door and camera equipment. We wanna answer any questions that you may have about that, and not necessarily or at all even rebode today at all, but to just really give clarity as you've already said many times to mister Utrecht, to be able to just understand what we've
done in the last year and a half. Since we've actually completed the install just over a year ago of over 500 camera devices and another couple 100 door units across seven or eight of your sites. And we printed out exactly what we've done as well as some metrics with the IT team running an internal review with staff that are able to even answer themselves how well we performed in regards to securing your school, both physically and even mentally, here and even after this, afternoon with the bullying incidents and all that. So I wanted to introduce Alexis, kinda go over some of the changes, and we
would welcome any questions that you guys have, in this floor meeting, knowing that we were requested to be here last month. Okay. And so if I'm sorry. If you all remember, it was, it's on the last page. It was the I think it was '14 the fourteen thousand four forty seven is the cost of the cameras, but then there was additional labor on it. Okay. You can continue. Right. So my name is Alexis. I did take over for Rhiannon, but I came out here for multiple sidewalks. And just to introduce myself, when I did take over, I wasn't here for the initial phases of the project, so I kind of did my due diligence.
In fact, you're looking on the floor. I will check. You Oh, did my due diligence to take note of what was done, where it was done. So that's gonna be the first, kind of slide. You know, what went where. If you guys want counts and stuff like that, I'm also happy to provide, but I know major concerns were did Verkada fulfill their promises and where did everything go because some material was in one building, but it wasn't in other buildings. So I wanted to just start addressing those concerns by giving you kind of notes of where everything is. As far as the labor and install specifically at the Cape Center project, obviously, those
doors that have nothing on it that weren't completed in the first phase was for budgetary reasons. There was a budget that we wanted to try and stick within. That dollar amount was $2,000,000. Yep. So where everything was being pulled, risk did take priority over cost for that. So when you go into the Cape Building now, there are other doors that needed to be secured, cameras that needed to be added, which is outlined in the project. The reason that the installation cost is so high is because these doors are going to be needed to be wired. They're not wireless locks.
They have nothing on them currently. So you'll see that broken down on the last page of that, presentation, exactly what material you guys have been quoted as far as installation goes. Primarily, it was because of the change of the facility itself being used now as an administration building. It was deemed necessary to completely retrofit the building with better camera coverage as we've done even in this building and better exterior door coverage. So going from two doors to 14, going from two cameras to now, I believe,
12 or 14. It's outlined in the floor plan on the second to last page. So bigger chunk that we had thought originally. So that that is the case seven. The administrative the administration just moved over there. Some of the administration moved, but that is the case seven. Correct. That is the case seven. I mean yeah. That's what it's called. Yeah. Okay. That's how we identify it. I just for me, the what's so massive about it and what was the urgency for this to happen when it did not happen when our students was there.
So now that administration is over there, now we got the state of the art chop. I'm I just don't understand where that came from or what that was about. Exactly. Yes. You have the floor. Thank you. You have a good point. I have already spoken to them about tabling this expense or even the conversation for prior to tonight's meeting because of the expense. The the the the the question came if the equipment cost $14,000, but it's The labor was 50. Yeah. Yeah. But it's on and and so we got all these electric like, it's for not
to something because it I just don't understand. I can't I it it's not registered. Yeah. All good. So very basically, a door requires an electrical lock, one that clicks open when you enter any building through a reader that's gonna patch in on your default. Exactly. That won't work. Correct. That lock mechanism itself, including the wiring to power it, is has to be completely ran from scratch. It's exactly what we did at the external middle school doors and why that cost was a couple thousand dollars per door.
The lock, the cabling, the electrical, and then somebody to actually do it. And then we add thankfully, we're not too expensive, but then you add us on top of it too, which makes it, you know, slightly worse. Because of that and new camera runs, because there haven't been new cameras cable as well with electrical Internet cable, that also is driving up the camera. For that build? Correct. For that building specifically. Yes. Okay. And so I think the last time I don't think we denied it. We just tabled it, right, for further conversation. And so you all were you all were gracious to come and give us an
opportunity today to get any questions that we had. And I think our biggest concerns have kind of been answered. Why wasn't this included in the original scope of work? And then for me, I just couldn't understand why the amount of cameras as he's dated, had a $50,000 installation installation fee. So I think majority of our questions have been answered. This will give us more information, to review in the event that doctor Griffin brings the okay. Gavin and then Triplett, and then we'll move on. Thank you.
So I think we initiated with, like, close to $30,000 for Kate? That is correct based on the original two cameras and two doors plus a couple of extra installation pieces. Two cameras. Two doors. Eight. Sorry. Eight cameras. Two doors. Eight. So we got eight cameras. Okay? And then 23,004 installed at Kayden. Yeah. We had to completely retrofit the two main external doors. The core of this quote in front of you is for internal cameras and internal
doors in between administrative offices included. So that was considered safe? The idea from the IT team's perspective was to have a lockdown of mobility. Meaning that if you click a button, every door that's a major entryway or exitway could be completely locked down in the event of an emergency. It's something we've also even been looking at in your interior high school doors, but we haven't brought it. Sounds good to me. My so that was then. Sounds like that was good enough for me. I guess, when I go to MLK or when I did, it's been a while.
But when I went to MLK, they had this system, this, panel where as a visitor, I would get this you know, they would take my picture. There would be this automatic ID and all of that. I've only seen that at MLK. So was that something that was supposed to be at all the schools? And you're talking about the iPad at the front. Correct? Yeah. Gotcha. So we have that enabled on every lobby. However, we're working through standard operating procedures with every individual principal and administrative team to basically figure out not only where those emails and notifications are going, but a flow
that works not only with your metal detectors, but also for every unique individual school lobby. MLK was just the first and arguably maybe one of the easiest as well. So we pay for it. We we we can get it. It needs to be implemented. Is that what you're saying? And to your point, that's not you'll see indicated that it is not at every building. But that just goes back to the security, the risk, and the money of the first phase that went into the project that we looked at, that Chase looked at, that we had collaboration from the school. So not everything is everywhere. Can you tell me that as if I'm a fifth grader?
What does that mean? Does that mean that we MLK is the only place that we play pay for, or is MLK the only place that we're getting it, but we did pay for it? High school, middle middle school, MLK, Fairplane, and Discovery all have the iPad in place. Okay. So we pay for all of those. They have it, and it's a matter of implementation. Correct. Thank you very much. And so who handles the why why it hasn't just been implemented in all of our building? Because I'm this is what I'm saying. When you came and you presented, you said we and we said the $2,000,000, we
know we were nervous about it. And this is what you said for all of our buildings, which is $2,000,000. That they would have all of these things. Okay? So now we only have one building with it because they have not been placed and put in place by whom? Who's responsible for this? Who should have this done? Because they're we we paid $2,000,000. This stuff should be done, not just in the building with one with with with our with our little one and the technology department. And we got it's supposed to be up here. This is what you came when when you guys presented.
This is what you saw that you would be able to do these things up in here. It's not here. It's not in Fairpoint. It's not at our middle school. Who's responsible for making sure this stuff and why it hasn't been done? Well, part of working with your IT team and facilities team, and I wanna make sure Jeff answers for himself as well, is that we can set it all up. And in in effect What the Doors and cameras have been What? In regards to the iPad. He was clarifying he's responsible. I know he was clarifying. Ownership. But you were clarifying about about the problems. You have the floor. Yeah. All all good. Just to make it incredibly clear, so the Cape Center, the high school interior doors,
as well as the lobbies of Discovery, Fairlane, and, the middle school and high school still need guest. That's what we call it, the guest system. We have to work in tandem with Jeff, his team, the director of facilities and IT, as well as each individual principal to decide on what standard operating procedures they want on each lobby. So I guess if I sum that up, and somehow I'm up there, we you guys have the stuff here. I could probably haven't done their part, and you're waiting to hear from them. Is that correct? It's a bit of both. I think we could do more too. Alright. Thanks. Okay.
So I think we I thank you all so graciously for coming, this evening and giving us that clarity. We'll have more information when if, doctor Griffin decides to bring this request back to us. Are you exiting or just I think he's just taking a break. Okay. Thank you thank you all. Really Do you have more to add? Wanted that. Okay. You have a floor. Right now, currently actively in place, PEC, MLK are running guests. All the equipment is in place. We haven't had the time to coordinate between myself, the head of facilities, head of
security, and each individual principal. I've tried to schedule this a few times. Everybody's schedule is crazy. I might start on one thing, and then they go down. Or I gotta go test somebody's phone. Like, we're working on it. It's a process. The initial guideline was that by next school year, everyone will be on the same page, following the same procedures, and everything will be in place. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Alrighty. Thank you all so much. Thank you. I appreciate the work. Okay. So we are gonna keep it right along ex we're gonna move it forward expeditiously. We've already done our CTE course approval.
We did that first. So doctor Griffin is on you, State of the District, Benton Harbor High School Basketball, and then your district, Chat and Choose. I think those are just a brief update. Okay. You have the floor. Thank you, madam president. In the interest of time, I will be, very brief. I think it's noted noteworthy that I mentioned, that I conducted a state of the district with all internal employees on February 23, the morning of our district, professional development day. And so I want to speak to a few pieces. Academics, we've made some real progress, although there's more work to do.
Our winter map assessment results show the most significant district wide improvement we have recorded thus far. 20 of 26 grade and subject combinations improved from fall to winter. District wide, the share of students performing in the bottom fortieth percentile dropped by more than 10 points, representing roughly 200 to 250 students who have moved out of the at risk status. Students performing at the proficient level remember proficient means grade level. Performing at the proficient level nearly doubled from 10.5%
to 18.7% in this one time period from fall to winter. Mhmm. Our most dramatic gains at the or at the high school level where the at risk population dropped 23 points. Grade 12 math alone improved 35 points. This is not incremental. It is dramatic and exciting. We must be honest, though. There is way more work to be done across our district, but I wanted to take this time to highlight the great things that are happening happening academically in our district. Other components that we're monitoring, obviously, our attendance.
Our elementary schools are leading the way. Fair playing east and deck regularly meet or approach the state's 90% attendance benchmark, proving that strong attendance is achievable within our district. Our academic growth this winter is real and measurable and happen even when many of our students might have missed instructional time. This means our interventions are working, and we have not yet seen what our students are truly capable of. Improved attendance is our single highest, average action available to accelerate the gains that we are already making. So in short, we are working very diligently with every school around attendance, getting kids
in in school, and when they're not, making sure they have access to learning when they're out of the school building. Our district average daily daily attendance is a priority because the state's expectation is 90%. Chronic absenteeism is also a focus of ours, but we're so excited that we have a clear actionable world road map. We know exactly which students at which buildings need the most support, and we have worked with those buildings to create individualized attendance plans, assign counselors, and community partnerships to address the real barriers our families face in getting our students to school every day
on time. Thank you. Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry. Just it's very brief. Just, very briefly. I also want to acknowledge the safety and discipline. We have been working diligently, and I wanna give kudos to our campus safety director, Trooper Burton, who has been heading the district discipline information and safety information as well as our new principal, principal Keith Sanders. Our daily security briefings have documented physical fights on the majority of the school days have decreased from last year to this year. Staff has, have also mentioned how the building is safer safer.
And as you can see in the data, it has improved simply by providing an environment conducive for learning. Well, I also wanna highlight for the month of February at the high school level, there were zero fights. And since mister Sanders has come on board as a leader of that building, there have only been four where we had we're having a way more, throughout the course of the school year. So in closing, what does this tell us? What we see what we are seeing in the data is a district capable of transformation. Our high school proves it. Our educators, 97% of whom say their work is deeply meaningful, Move it everyday.
They're committed and they come to work. But we cannot sustain these gains on staff determination alone. We are asking our teachers and all our staff members to work in tandem with us as they already have been doing to ensure that we move the district forward academically as well as social socioemotionally. Our path flow forward is clear. Scale work scale is what we're working towards at every building. And so I want to say in conclusion on this, there are a couple of things that we have in place. I have established the curriculum and student support services committee.
It's a dedicated partnership with the Ben Harvard Education Association that brings union leadership and district administration to the same table to cocreate the instructional and social emotional frameworks that define the teacher and student experience. This is not a grievance process. It is something much better. A proactive relationship built on shared ownership where we solve problems together before they become conflicts. Saving the district significant legal costs and more importantly, preserving the trust and energy of our educators.
And because our students are not just a subject of our decision, but the reason for them, I meet monthly with the superintendent's student advisory council, listening directly to their recommendations, their questions, and their concerns. These young people have insight no data report can fully capture, and their voices belong at the table. Collaboration is not just a strategy I employ. It is how I lead. I wanna close with, going into, now the basketball, for our Benton Harbor High School basketball team. I have to say how proud I am publicly of our Benton Harbor High School
basketball team. I have the honor of attending multiple, games. And I thought when I went to the home games, you know, okay. You know, you always play, you know, really well at home. Well, I drove to Grand Rapids, and and I'll be honest. We didn't win that game, but I've never seen such grit, determination, resiliency. They did some things on our team that I didn't know were humanly possible. Mm-mm. So I had to add them because our boys showed up and show out at every single game, and that kind of hard work had to be notated.
Moving to or is that me? Oh, oh, our district chat ensued in tandem with making sure that I am listening as a leader, seeking to build relationships, not just with our members of the union, but with the teachers boots on the ground. I will be engaging in chat and choose, starting at the end of this month and I think going into April to ensure that I'm providing a listening ear at the table for the needs of our staff at each of the buildings so that I can address them accordingly as we move forward to improve the culture because we've gotten our panorama surveys back where we interviewed our students, our staff, our parents, and
teachers. And we've gotten some information where we've got charge to do. We've got some work to do at the district district level to ensure every stakeholder that works with us, including our children, feel included and have a sense of belonging. So the chat and choose are to address those things. Thank you for your time. So you did you did chat and choose previously, but they were two for parents and the public. Right? These are internal chat and choose? Okay. Alrighty. That concludes my reports. Thank you. Thank you so much. Okay. So you can move forward with the board approval for the professional development that you're requesting staff report s one and s two.
S one. Board of education professional development for superintendent dated 03/10/2026. The reason for the board consideration is professional development development in all tiers of the education system are an important opportunity for staff development, growth learning, and leadership. Professional development opportunities have been shown to be effective in in in enhancing instructional and financial leadership and to give me the skills and insight to excel as a superintendent. The superintendent requests, so I request permission to attend the following professional development art opportunity,
the national superintendent forum in Orlando, floor Florida, June. The registration cost is no fee. Estimated cost for hotel, airfare, and meals, $1,213. Policy reference is thirty two forty two for professional growth requirements, and the recommended action is that the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education votes to approve the above listed professional development opportunity for the superintendent. Alright. Is there a motion to approve staff report s one? I'll make a motion to approve staff report s one.
Is there a second or support? Support. Okay. Motion has been made by by Ken Martin and supported by trustee Bradley. Questions, comments, or concerns? I have one. When is graduation? It's, June 5. Okay. So this would be this is the week after graduation. Okay. And when they graduate, the do it's we're done with school that same week.
Right? Or does is it one is it one more week of school for minors after graduation day for senior? I know. That's what I'm trying to, Alex. Yeah. That's the ma'am. I just was trying to make sure you wouldn't be missing graduation. That was my greatest concern. Okay. Alright. That was the only question I have. Superintendent wear my doctorate cap. Okay. Any other questions from the board regarding staff report s one? Alright. Hearing none, secretary triple please call the vote. Robinson? Yes. Secretary triplet, yes. Trustee Rocket Martin? Yes. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Trustee Bradley?
No. Trustee Everybody else has left. That's it. Nobody left. She's not the nine. We'll see. She didn't qualify. Okay. Okay. Motion carried. Okay. Next step, it's one. Wait. Is it s two? Yeah. S two. Board of education professional development for superintendent, 03/10/2026. Professional development in all tiers of the education system are an important opportunity for staff development, growth, learning, and leadership. Professional development opportunities have been shown to be effective in enhancing instructional and financial leadership
and to give me the skills and insight to excel as a superintendent. The superintendent requests permission to attend the following professional development opportunity, the AASA youth mental wealth well-being summit, located in Chicago, June 25 through the twenty sixth. Included in the membership's no cost. Approximate total estimate, 900. Policy reference, thirty two forty two. Professional growth requirements. Recommended action that the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board Of Education votes to approve the above listed professional development opportunity for the superintendent. Is there a motion to approve staff report s two? I'll make a motion to approve staff report s two.
Is there a second in support? Support. The motion has been made by trustee Wackett Martin and supported by treasurer Gavin. Any questions, comments, or concern? Is this a conference that can be simply Trustee Wackett Martin, you have the floor? Is this a conference that only is for superintendents, or is it open to the public, open to educators? I believe this one is open to, anybody. Yes. Okay. And and it deals mainly with the mental health or or emotional health of youth, children of all ages. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Trustee. Alright. Trustee Gavin treasurer Gavin?
And then we'll go to a second. Similar in that I guess I was wondering if there were other staff who yeah. Like, doctor Griffin, if you can kinda just share your your insights about this. Like, is this this is something you you just wanted for you? Is this something that you wanted to take a look at and see if it's something that might be good for the staff? Just, like, your overall vision of this particular Great question.
Yeah. Thanks. I when I looked at the information, it tied into the mental wellness plans that we have been trying to get in place, but I have no problem opening it up for anybody who wants to attend. When it was sent to me, it's in line with what we've been trying to pull off for our staff and students regarding socioemotional development as well as trauma informed educational leadership. But I I think it's a great suggestion. I'm more than willing to open it up as an opportunity for additional staff to attend. Thank you for thank you for that. Mhmm. Secretary of truth?
Yeah. That that's what I was getting ready to ask. Are there any other professional development for any other staff in the in the district for the principals and and other people? Yes, please. Seen anything brought to this table, or our principals or any any anything like that. No. No. I mean, I understand. Oh, secretary, I I approve professional development for the staff internally, So you're more than welcome. I can provide you evidence of what conferences and any professional development our staff has, asked to attend. I have not said no except for two, maybe one or two the entire time
I've been here. So great question. I can certainly provide you with the evidence of professional development of the principal, central office staff, or whomever you would like. And it's it's a all shared and inform k 12. I guess, is there, any type of plan of action from the beginning to the end that these are the professional development that our principals need to go to. These are the professional development that our teachers need to go to. I mean, I'm just I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm very I hope I'm being
heard on on what I'm saying because, number one, do you think that our our our staff need to be strengthened? And so if you can get that information to me at your early convenience, I would appreciate it. My only question would be who would from a, I guess, from the, what is it called? The not the chain of command, but your the hierarchy of leadership. Which staff is is what you say is most accountable for mental well-being as far
as their specialty? Would it be the counselors? Would it be the spare department? Regarding this, it would be two departments. So it'll be human resources because they support the adults in the district, and then the student support services department because they support the students in the district. Okay. So I would, I kind of agree if if this it sounds like an amazing opportunity. So I'm pretty sure that it sounds as though we support you and go on, but we'd like you to explore, opening up to other staff as well to see.
In that way, our top execs in those areas are able to bring the information back to the departments as well. But if there's no other questions or comments, secretary, we can call the vote for us too. President Robinson? Yes. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Secretary Triplett yes. Trustee Rocket Martin? Yes. Trustee Bradley? Yes. Motion carried. Alright. Awesome. Thank you, doctor Griffin. We're gonna move the right amount to, business and finance. We have staff report f one and staff report f two.
Record by card, you can just read those, and then we'll keep it moving. Oh, back in action. Yes. Good evening, everyone. I'm gonna read staff report f one. I hope you all have had an opportunity to review the January monthly financial reports. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free, during the comment section. The reason for board of consideration, a set of financial reports is provided to the board of education each month.
This evening, it is recommended that 01/20/2026 payments be approved for all of the district funds. Policy reference, six four seven zero, payment of claims, strategic plan goal reference, facility slash operations. Benton 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 January 1 through January 31 payments
for the following funds. General fund, $981,614.89. Food service fund, $3,350, sinking fund, $296,970.47 for a total of $1,261,935.36. Alright. Is there a motion to approve staff report f one? I'll make the motion to approve staff report f one. Is there a second or support?
Support. The motion has been made by trustee Bailey and supported by secretary Triplett. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Trustee Gavin has her hand up. You have the floor. So much. I just wanted to get some clarity. I think there was some confusion about us being in debt or something like that. Yeah. I think that's balance is can you help us, can you clarify what our fund balance is? Our fund balance is listed on get to that page.
Our fund balance is listed on page 29, The statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balances includes and including the budgets. And the fund balance end of period all the way down on the end actual, the $2,929,903,605 dollars is our fund balance at the January 2026. Thank you so much.
I think it's so important for us to be real clear on that. I do understand that sometimes we have these you know, we budget for a certain amount, and we may spend over budget. But even in spending over what we anticipated spending, there's this money, that we have that is sitting in the bank. And I think that, you know, for, folks listening, they may feel like, oh my gosh. We're in a whole 7,000,000. Right? And so just, you know, just that clarity around that.
I understand we wanna be bringing in all the money that we can bring in, but just clarity that we do have, our fund balance is, you know, close to 30,000,000. That's correct. Thank you for that. No. Secretary Shortwell? Yeah. I just think and and and I too support that. You know, it just amazes me. It it's almost like, you know, you've been dealing with scarcity so long that it or or like a battered woman, who who's been battered and abused.
And she finds, a a man who does not do that, who's very kind and gentle with her, and she struggled with it. And I think we've you know, that's what mentality we're so used to being, and we can't stand that we have $29,000,000. We can't stand that we have somebody gotta say some I mean, a $7,000,000 in debt, $2,000,000 in debt. We are not in debt. We are steady hiring people. We have millions and millions of dollars on staff and support staff to all these different spaces and places.
Everybody get paid good at Benhaba area school, raises and everything all along the way. Then all of a sudden, when it comes to things for our kids, for our community, then everybody want to be cautious and careful, and we're in debt. That's not true. But what we're gonna have to do is we're gonna have to start holding these people accountable, right, in these various positions. These people are going to have to be held accountable that we are getting the best for what we pay for. And so I appreciate you bringing that back up, treasure, Gavin.
And and and I'm just looking forward to how we're gonna close the year out where our kids will benefit and have some wonderful things and some good money spent on them. Because without them, we wouldn't have a dime. Thank you. Not 1p. Okay. So I have a question for you. I know that our system is a little bit different because when we approve, like, the money's already been spent. That's correct. So we're approving saying we review what has been spent essentially. That's correct. K. Any other questions?
Secretary Sherpa? President Robinson? No. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Trustee Rocket Martin? Trustee Bradley? Yes. Secretary Triplett? No. Motion carried. Alright. You can proceed with the summer tax resolution. The staff report f 02/2026 summer tax resolution. Reason for board consideration, each year, the board votes on a resolution to levy 100% of the school property taxes during the summer. Facts and analysis, by levying 100% of the district's school property tax during the summer,
payable by mid September, the district is able to reduce the amount of funds borrowed in the state aid note borrowing program, thereby reducing annual borrowing costs. This year's resolution includes the authorization of the superintendent and the director of finance to approve the summer property tax collection collection agreements with the local units of government that collect Benton Harbor area schools school property taxes in the summer.
Local governments included are the city of Benton Harbor, Bainbridge Township, Benton Township, Hager Township, Pipestone Township, Saint Joseph Township, Sodus Township, and City Of Saint Joe. Policy reference, none. Facility slash operations I mean, I'm sorry. Strategic plan reference. Facility slash operations. Benton Harbor Area Schools will develop, implement, and evaluate a physically responsible plan that will
ensure physical and psychological safety. Recommended action that the board that the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education vote to approve the twenty twenty six summer tax resolution authorizing the superintendent and the director of finance to execute the related collection agreements with the listed local units of government. Is there a motion to approve? I so move. Is there a second or support? Support. The motion has been made by secretary Triplett and supported by trustee Bradley that we
approve staff report f two regarding the twenty twenty six summer tax resolution. Any questions, comments, or concerns from the board? Hearing none. Secretary Triplett? President Robinson? Yes. Secretary Triplett? Yes. Treasurer Gavin? Yes. Trustee Rocket Martin? Yes. Trustee Bradley? Yes. MultiCare. Alright. Up next, we have, all business. It, I don't wanna belabor the meeting, but I noted I noticed that we didn't have anything for HR noted today, but I think previously, you all have brought to us a resolution to create, a director of Technology.
Technology position. Just wondering if there there was a reason that that was paused for today. If you are you guys fleshing that out more? I shared with doctor Griffin the request from the board to have the plan written before that position comes. So we'll put that back until we had that plan ready for you. Okay. Understood. I just don't want it to be if that's something that you all think is a need, I want us to development of that. So okay. Yes. Yes, sir. Yeah. And and and and, evidently, that is a a very, necessary position.
Like I said, that needs to be fleshed out because, one out of all of our schools only have what we paid $2,000,000 to receive. So either there's a shortage or negligence or no oversight, but, campus safety is critical. It is it it it it's it's a nonnegotiable. And so if the technology department is underwhelmed and these things cannot be done in all of our school, Again, $2,000,000 paid. That's not a small fee. And, yes.
So we need to really look at that and see how that look as soon as possible. Thank you. Trustee Clemons? I'm, hoping we can get a update on the First View, bus safety app. There's a lot of work that went into that, and so I'm real curious as to, you know, if it's possible to get a clear update on where we are, what's possible, with this opportunity. Alright. Anyone, doctor Wilfner?
I'm not sure who was assigned to I was in the meeting, today and, shared all the information with doctor Griffin. So I'm sure once she's vetted it, she'll be sharing it with the board, and she can answer to that. Yes. You have my commitment. I have not reviewed it, so I didn't wanna speak on it just yet. Well, I can share what I know, and then maybe we can get an update on what I know. Okay. Okay. So, initially, there was a request for us to have, kinda like a GPS, system
so that parents can know if their, if the bus was on the way, if their child was on the bus, and where the where their children are. And it's an app that parents can have. And, initially, we didn't have that. It was available to, competitors. And so they agreed to provide it to us with light advocacy at no additional charge. And so our responsibility was to just do the trainings, and then they would provide
a rollout. And so, there was a series of trainings, and today, I believe, was the last training before implementation. And so just wondering, did we have somebody attend that training? And at that training, did they provide an implementation plan in terms of next steps? Yes. During the training, they provided an a timeline, a slideshow, all the information on, the
next steps. So like I said, I I was in the meeting. It was recorded. We have all the information, and we will have to meet as a cabinet to, there there were some questions in the meeting that I was wasn't able to answer. So, I let them know that we will follow-up within a week. So we plan on meeting as a cabinet, following up with the answers, and going from there. But the meeting did provide a timeline on the whole implementation of the program and,
where we are supposed to be on March 10 is we are on schedule to, roll it out in the timeline that they provided. And did they give a date a recommended date for rollout? They didn't give an exact date. They do wanna roll it out within, I believe, no more than two weeks. So that's why we, set a deadline for the cabinet to, meet within the next week, get everything, lined up that we need to line up on our end, follow-up
with them, and then start our communications with the parents, the buildings. You know, it's it's kinda more than just go to this website and see your child's bus. It's there's a lot more that goes into it, especially at the building level, so we need to get a plan in place on how we're going to roll that out internally before we roll it out to, the community. K. Thank you. You're welcome. Yes. You have a floor. Yes. I am committed to that, but I have to see the information.
And miss, Rockhart and I both discussed that that we are gonna roll it out. We have to have a plan to do so. We are we like the program. I'm prioritizing it. I just couldn't attend that meeting, but she and I have already talked about making it urgent for us to roll it out. But how it looks and how we roll it out has gotta be very systemic and intentional. And so I will be able to follow-up with you as soon as possible after we have met as a team to be able to explain what that rollout entails to ensure that it's done in a an effective way. Thank you. Alright. So new business. The only thing that I have is I know that vice president Bowen is, working
on a retreat for us. What I've asked, and I think I may have copied blind copied you all on it, is that he flush out, what it is that he would like us to accomplish in the board retreat. And then that way we can, develop an actual agenda, for for the retreat as well as the time frame and the length of that. I know that trustee Bradley, requested the, board calendar for this meeting. Secretary Triplett has needs an opportunity to review that, but that will also be addressed
in our, retreat as well as other, points of concern. I think that'll be a perfect opportunity for us to do that. Vice President Blunt initially wanted it to be board only. Then with the items that he's listing, it it does appear that we may even need our, some of our directors present. So we just wanna make sure that that's fully fleshed out before we, come back to the board to and and staff to post for potential days, but that is in the works. I don't have, new any other new business at this time.
So I asked if there is anyone here for open public comment. You have the floor. So, you all know, like, Black History Month. Right? In schools, they teach kids about black history, play black movies, and whatnot. I was wondering if instead of Black History Month, we'd have Black History Week where every other week, kids would be taught about black history because because, well, like my
mom said, we're black three hundred and sixty five days a year. So that was my proposal. Thank you. Anyone else for open public comment? Hi, y'all. Good morning. My daughter is Serenity, and, I was gonna take my daughter out this district. And my wife said, no. Don't take out this. Don't take out the district. And I said, okay. We're gonna see how it go. But sitting here listening to you guys, I I I I I see you guys down taking care of y'all busy. And I'm a start come to more of these meetings so I can get more
knowledge to what's going on. But I don't know who dropped that ball on that $2,000,000. That need to be handled. Y'all don't wanna approve to have a attorney here for every meeting, but y'all drop the ball on $2,000,000? Just think about it. Y'all got bought on $2,000,000, which y'all don't wanna I I I had a script, but my phone went dead out of Proverbs. I think it's Proverbs fifteen and fifteen. I'm not sure about wise counsel.
That's what we need. We need Wise Counsel. Because if you don't have what we don't know everything. Alright. Thank you. Can you just clarify for me which $22,000,000 you're referencing? About the 2,000,000. About the 2,000,000. System. Okay. Situation. Okay. Because he couldn't even answer. Y'all notice that? Did anybody else notice that he couldn't answer? All he said was in one building. He couldn't even answer it. Understood. Thank you for clarifying. Anyone else for any public comment? Hearing none, superintendent announcements and comments. I just wanna reiterate, I'm excited about the growth academically that's being made within the
district, and I look forward to more growth being able to be highlighted as we approach our assessment season. We start SAT testing and our, and not SAT, M STEP and SAT testing April 6. So I look forward to the higher performance and growth all our students in the district will make. Thank you. Trustee Bradley. I am gonna be brief. I wanna thank everyone for coming out. Thank you, sir, for your public comments. Thank you, young man, for your public comments. One had a a good opportunity to meet with, doctor Griffin last week, and sometimes
you, sometimes we can put our blinders on, and sometimes we, you know, don't we'll hear hear things throughout the noise, but when you have a chance to sit down and talk and discuss what's going on. So I thank you for that productive conversation. Just wanna let everybody know to be safe. Of course, we have tornadoes throughout the region going on. Kankakee, Illinois just got hit earlier, so I've been tracking the weather so you all get home safe. We shouldn't get anything until probably a few hours later. So that's all I have. Thank you, trustee Michael Martin. MASD, Spring Institute is coming up.
I think it's the first week in March, and it is, like, two days, Friday to Saturday, and that's it by I think by 06:00 or either 03:00 you're done. So, they do have some classes that could benefit probably all of us. So we would have a chance. Look at the look at the agenda that they propose and the classes that they're proposing and, see if you find something that that you would like to do. Also, I do appreciate the social, emotional learning.
I've gone to the ISD a a couple of weeks ago, training in social and emotional learning with very young children, and it is, it is something that we all really need to be knowledgeable about, especially classroom teachers. So, I appreciate you bringing that to the board, to even just let us look at it. So, with that being said, I do appreciate, the work that all of you do for Benton Harbor Area Schools, and I, and I appreciate our students and our parents,
and I'm grateful that you didn't take your child out of Benton Harbor area school. Would have missed a wonderful opportunity not being with us. Trust me. So, with that being said, everybody have a good night. It's supposed to snow tomorrow. Alright. Treasure Galvin. I wanna thank everybody who came out, especially the courageous people who, spoke during public comments. I think that as people come, you do start to realize that you're needed.
Right? Your insights are needed, and that helps the district that those types of parents that are involved and help shape the district helps make us better. And and, of course, I wanna thank seven for coming out and for his for your courage. This he he said something at home that he didn't say here. He said he felt like that verse of the star spangled banner was a distract against black people. And so we have to be very careful about the traditions that we uphold and
require of our black children when it is a song that is celebrating the death of their ancestors. And so I take it very seriously. And I appreciate his teacher for offering to also teach the black national anthem, but I'm not okay with requiring this of him or any student who becomes aware and then decides that this is not for them.
And I understand it's banned, and this is a tradition, but I'm more concerned about him loving himself, knowing who he is, and us upholding that. And so I'm hoping, that we will take that take what he says seriously and look at the alternative Nash National Black Anthem, giving him credit for that and not requiring him to learn a song that is against his values and his humanity.
And so, you know, I told him I will support him, and I'm not going to let up on that. Just wanna be real clear. I wanna thank everybody who, is working to help keep this district, where it is. I see us going to a whole another level. My vision is clear and strong on what's possible with the geniuses in this district. And so I also my heart goes out to the young lady who experienced bullying that did not fall on deaf ears. We are working on a solution together for that.
And so, you know, sometimes those solutions take time, but her courage has put a a fire under me to to take it even more, take it even more seriously. And so I apologize for her experience, but I look forward to working on the solution, and reaching out to that family. And anything I forgot to mention, I'll figure out another way to address it because we only have a few minutes, and I'll turn it over to you, president Robinson. Thank you. Secretary Triplett. I'm I'm sitting here just kind of stuck.
I, yeah, I'm I'm I'm almost at my wit's end with adult issue. It it's it's too much. It's a lot. And, our kids are very talented. Our kids are smart.
Just hear negative stuff all the time, and there are some amazing people in this school district that come in here every day and press their way through foolishness, unprofessionalism. Because I think people need to understand that if we do not have children, we do not have job. Everybody on this board people in this community think that this board gets paid.
Not 1 dime. Not a penny. And we leave our job, our profession, and we come to stand in the gap for our people. I I I I I want to thank our parents who stayed here, and I'm glad you stayed here because we need more support from our parents, not just when it's a a big blow up on Facebook or you know? We we need our parents to really, really come to the table and have some
serious conversation about our children and our school district. I want to tell my colleague that I appreciate it. I don't take it for granted. I know you all are exhausted because of our job. I travel round trip a 100 miles a day before I even get to work. And so I I I I want to encourage everyone, But I also want you
to know that I'm not coming here to play with anybody about anything. It's not perfect. I don't care who you are. I don't care if you're related. I don't care. It is time for our kids to be number one. It is time for people to feel comfortable bringing their kids back to our district. And so I'm I'm I'm I'm just a little frustrated, but I'm not gonna ever give up, ever give up on Benton Harbor Area School.
It's still great even in these rocky times and these tough times and these good times and the worst of times. But the best of times and with the worst of time, it is still and always will be great to be a Benton Harbor High School Tiger alumni. Our kids are coming back, and they're gonna come back. We're gonna give our kids something to come back too. So to the staff, superintendent, central administration, to our administrators, our teachers, be encouraged.
Stay on the wall. Don't feel uncomfortable with accountability. Accountability help everyone grow. Thank you. Thank you, secretary Triplett. I will be very brief. I just wanna note that it is 09:52. I appreciate all of our trustees and our staff that were here as for as well as the public, but I especially commend each of you who are still remaining in this room with us as we kneel for hours. And I know that we did have a a brief recess for those who were not in a closed session, but especially to my colleagues in in the level of
discussions and conversation that we have for each of us to still be sitting here, with our children present or at home waiting for us. It shows a level of commitment we have to this work. I wanna for the parents that stay here with us this evening, I'm thankful that you chose to be here because I think there's a disconnect in the public understanding how decisions are made, where gaps are in the efforts that we try to utilize in order to, tighten up those gaps. But we are truly committed. We don't always agree on certain decisions that are made, but we do try to
honor each other's voices. And I, as president, have to figure out how to ensure that, the majority and the minority are heard and that we bring the desires of all trustees before the table so that they can be discussed and addressed. I appreciate each of you tremendously, and I look forward to continuing doing this work through the end of this year as, we all are aware. I will expire 12/31/2026. So, it's an honor to be your president.
It's an honor to be a member of this board. And one thing that I would say is I'm a very predictable person. So as it relates to my votes, if anything that I have voted on, whether it's a no or a yes, it won't be a surprise to you because I'll be the voice where I stand at the table or voice concerns via email. So with that being said, I'll ask, is there a motion to adjourn? That's a motion to adjourn? Support. Alright. I'll take, Triplett as a motion to adjourn, and I will take Bradley as the support. Because she has so many words. You know?
I just I want her to be honored. Okay. Yeah. Take hers first. We'll take her as the as the motion made and Bradley as a support for Jeremy because you all work at the same time. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none, secretary Triplett. President Robinson. Yes. Secretary Triplett. Yes. Treasurer Gavin. Yes. Trustee Rocket Martin. Trustee Bradley? Yes. Alright. We are joined officially at 09:54PM.