this meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education and public for the purpose of conducting the school district's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting this meeting is an in-person meeting held at 870 coldax here in Benton Harbor an additional live stream of this meeting is available at the following link questions may be
submitted beforehand to natalie. singer at bhas.org or presented in person during the public comment section as indicated in the agenda board members may be contacted through the emails listed below request for special assistance including for persons with
disabilities may be sent to natalie. singer bhas.org I call this meeting to order officially at 6:08 p.m. we'll Begin by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance flag of the United States of
America the stand indivisible andice for all secretary tripy can you please call the role president Robinson pres vice president bow president secretary
triplet president treasure Bradley pres trustey rocket Marton trusty Doyle pres trusty Gavin presid Madam president aor has been established all right so can somebody remind me did I ever hit the
gavl yeah I did hit it oh I want okay so just to ensure the meeting is called to order officially at 6:09 PM um secretary tripler has called the road accordingly all of us are present um is there a motion to approve the agenda and
I believe uh vice president Bowens had a suggestion Madame President you have the floor I make a motion that we approve the agenda with consent a consent agenda items so all of the items
we would vote at once and is that my recommendation would be that board business stand outside stand alone okay Madam president yes I make a motion that we approve the agenda with consent agenda items separating board
business okay so what uh what has been recommended is that we do board business as it stands all other reports staff report S1 F S1 F1 F2 T1 T2 and H1 would all be one vote am I understand
understanding correctly that is correct is there a support to that support the motion has been made by vice president bow and supported by uh vice president Bradley any questions comments and concerns treasur Treasurer Bradley my
apologies any questions comments or concerns hearing none Robson you have the floor is it possible to include staff report B3 in that consent um any objections to that vice president bow that's the committee of
the whole structure the only the only item that I really wanted to um the only items I wanted to Standalone was staff report B1 and the resolution for the Department of Education um because I think B1 needs
some discussion we never made a um suggestion for who to nominate and then the resolution I just want to make sure that that's a standalone item because of the weight that it presents are you comfortable with the c including the committee as a whole in that yes we can go ahead and do that so
does that mean I have to repeat everything I just said no vice president bow are you okay with that I mean uh Treasurer Bradley are you okay with that as well yeah I'm fine with that okay so to clarify the motion has been made that the agenda be approved with B1 and the
resolution to protect the Department of Education as Standalone items staff reports B3 S1 F1 F2 T1 T2 and H1 would all be consent items voted at one time um we will work through the agenda and
take that vote once at the end after H1 has been read and presented we'll do all votes at once the motion has been made by vice president bow and supported by Treasurer Bradley if there's no other questions comments or concerns secretary
triplet can you please call the vote president Robinson yes vice president bow yes secretary triplet yes Treasurer Bradley yes trustee rocket Martin yes trustee Doyle yes trustee Gavin yes
motion carries all right next is review of the Board of Education Norms the Board of Education norms for Benton Harvard area schools we will treat each other with respect we will listen to learn we will refrain from side conversations we will use our time wisely starting and ending our meetings
on time time we will challenge ideas not people we will ask questions when in doubt there will be no surprises at the board table we will practice the seven Norms of collaboration the seven Norms of collaboration are pausing paraphrasing posing questions putting ideas on the table providing data paying attention to self and others and
presuming positive intent um next we have public comment on agenda items is there anyone here who is present to make a public comment on an agenda item you have the floor and he is coming to
assist you with ensuring your mic is on did you want to read the statement yes I can I appreciate you you're welcome the Ben Harbor Area Schools Board of Education recognize the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on
District matters today there are two areas for comment on the agenda of which you may decide when to speak public comment on agenda items and open public comment we request that each interested participant complete a public participation form using legible writing to ensure that responses are appropriate and properly focused her benh haror area
schools bylaw 016730 participant may speak more than once on the same topic until any other persons have had their opportunity to speak on that topic participants May remove their mask when addressing the board participants shall direct all comments to the board and not staff or other participants the board will listen
take comments and questions under advisement and not respond at this time I president will refer questions to the superintendent for research and response please ensure that your public participation form includes your contact information as requested if you have specific questions for the board or executive team that require followup
please email those directly to natalie. singer at b.org you have the floor thank you so much I appreciate you good evening everybody my name is Tiana batist wadell 3:30 kofax Avenue Southbend Indiana and this is in regards to the Strategic Plan update that's an
agenda item um what is the status of the partnership agreement the Strategic plan should be focused on that partnership agreement ends in November of this year uh the meeting was held in November with the Michigan Department of Education and they clearly indicated in that meeting
because I went that bitton Harbor area schools did not meet the 18-month benchmark Mark so did that decision remain the same based on the declining enrollment academic performance at all levels especially the high school declining graduation rate increase in
exclusionary practices suspensions and expulsions in the district based on all of that evidence there may not be any schools left in five to 10 years or the fact that we can enjoy not having a deficit
it it seems that you're turning your back on the data the last meeting or two meetings ago principal Rockette mentioned that the school was moving in the right direction when I look at the data she decreased in ela by 1% in one year was she just talking
about mathematics because that doesn't look like we're moving in the right direction if you're going down why aren't you being transparent with the community with what is actually happening academically approximately 90% of the students are not proficient in
reading or mathematics at the high school 0% Proficiency in mathematics will the schools in the partnership agreement meet the 36-month outcomes will any of them face reconstitution in November of this year for not meeting the mark and just so
that the community knows for a district assigned a partnership agreement if reconstitution is imposed there is a possibility that a school could be closed that's huge bitton Harbor area schools might be back where they were just 10
years ago fighting to keep schools open so why aren't you being transparent with the community about the data MLK FP fairplane Middle School B Harbor area schools in Cape they all can risk being closed in just less than a
year this spring is the last opportunity for the district to get out of the partnership agreement with the state or they will face Recon Constitution risking possible closure of your schools so why are you again the Board of Education accepting this lack of
transparency from this Administration Jax Aspire foundation and several citizens that have signed a uh a survey demand that the bent harb Area Schools Board of Education recommend and vote for the termination of Dr Kelvin buts in order to save your district from
reconstitution thank you thank you uh singer just a reminder can you ensure that you start the timer right when they begin speaking it's the only way I can monitor it all right anyone else for public comment on agenda items all right hearing none we'll
proceed uh first thing we have on the agenda is approval of the meeting minutes today we are approving special session 1725 regular session 2325 and special session 12825 is there a motion to approve the minutes as noticed
Madame President you have the floor I make a motion to approve the meeting minutes as noted is there a second or support support the motion has been made by vice president Bowes and supported by Treasurer Bradley any questions comments and concerns hearing none secretary
triplet president Robinson yes vice president bow yes secretary triplet yes Treasurer crate um Treasurer Bradley yes truste rocket Martin yes truste Doyle
yes truste Gavin yes motion carry all right as a reminder our protocol as of 9:13 2022 all comments will be limited to two minutes per trustee per topic our first item of business underboard business is the masb board of directors
elections packet we did discuss it um last week briefly I did ask that everyone kind of look over those individuals that are um running my understanding is that we are region six um so there are two individuals in region six that are
running and those individuals are Tiana Harrison from cazoo public schools um just a a brief reminder she indicated her name is Tiana Harrison she's the current board president at cumoo Public Schools Board of Education she brings over a decade of governance
and Leadership experience appointed in 2014 and reelected in 2020 she's had at the honor of serving her community in various capacities including vice president secretary and treasurer of her board and then as well we have Miss Elizabeth Odell from St Joseph County
ISD in St Joseph County and her initial statement um she indicated that she has been active with St Joseph County ISD for 27 years she's taken advantage of opportunities to learn about best practices for serving and supporting the
education process in communities um so those are their um individual just a brief quick summary of who they are but there is more detail I did indicate last week that I did have a recommendation my personal vote would be
for um president Harrison from Kalamazoo Public Schools however of course this is a a table where we can actually have a discussion so if there's anyone who would prefer uh Miss Odell and like to make that recommendation as well I'm the T the table is open for
discussion trusty Gavin president Robinson um I just want to share that I've read um the BIOS from both and I'm particularly impressed with Tiana Harris because of her uh dedication and focus
on U the mental health and well-being of our students um that is a top priority for me and um I appre you know I would appreciate having somebody who centers that need um as well so I support Tiana
Harrison as well okay so are you would you like to go ahead and make a motion regarding staff report B1 are you recommending um that she be placed in the blank to represent region 6 sure I would like to if
there's I would like to make a motion that we approve staff report B1 um with the recommendation that Tiana Harrison will represent region 6 on the masv board is there a second or support
move all right the motion has been made by truste Gavin and supported by secretary triplet any other questions comments or concerns trusty uh treasur Bradley um I think I've met met both and um I've met Tiana Harrison had a
conversation with her um in my previous term and I think um reading her bio both of them excellent candidates but reading her bio and um it was very extensive um like I said we have we had two good choices but I do uh value that you know
her experience and some of the things that she did say so I know that um Miss Odell I think she did send out a um email to us as well um but you know I look at look like I said looking at the bio we and we got two excellent
candidates thank you and I um have had opportunities to uh speak with Miss Harrison and get to know more about her oneon-one in previous masb trainings um as president it's it's a different Lane that you walk so we've had to kind of talk to each other and talk about
various issues and things and so she does have a strong focus on ensuring that um all needs of children the whole child is met um and so because I've had an opportunity to have those personal conversations and kind of discuss things from a board president level as well as
her actually actively being in a public school district and serving as president um like I said Miss Odell is amazing but her Focus has been more so the ISD um I think it's just extremely important that we have a a board president of a public
school similar to Bent haror area schools although there's variances um in that seat to recommend to to represent us and so I would I would support um Gavin and Bradley as well secretary triplet yeah I too had an opportunity to
to meet both of them and uh Miss Harrison I think if a vote for Miss Harrison would uh be would put us at the table behind the scenes and I think that we would have access to her
um as um from kalamazo public schools like you said there's a difference in the public school district and the ISD and so those voices need to to be at the table um she's very passionate if you will um I met her prior to her becoming
the president of the kazou um Public Schools Board of Education and she was very new and young at her first term as president she's been in there fighting for some time so I I can support that wholeheartedly alrighty secretary tripy
please call the vote um I will read the resolution as presented um staff report B1 subject Miss Michigan Association of school boards board of directors vote dated for today reason for board consideration the Ben Harbor Area Schools Board of Education must vote to
elect representatives for the Michigan Association of school boards masb board of directors facts and Analysis the Benton harb a Schools board has met and discussed the biographies of candidates presented by masb they have come to a consensus on who to select and now move
to vote on the matter the B Harbor area school's board of education has one vote to put forth to any candidate in region 6 for the 2025 election policy reference none recommended action that the Ben Harbor Area Schools Board of Education vote to select Tiana Harrison to
represent region six on the masb board approve for presentation to the Board of Education um as a reminder the motion was made by truste Gavin and supported by secretary triplet secretary triplet can you please call the vote president Robinson yes vice president Bowen yes
secretary triplet yes Treasurer Bradley yes truste rocket Martin yes truste Doyle yes truste Gavin yes madame president the motion Carri all right the next resolution is board is V2 board
resolution to support the protection of the US Department of Education bitton Harbor area schools baring County Michigan the district a regular meeting of the Board of Education of the district the board was held in B Harbor High School library 870 CX within the boundaries of the district on on the
11th day of February 2025 at 6:00 p.m. the meeting was called to order by President Robinson all board members were present the following Preamble and resolution were offered we indicate who has made the the initial Motion in those blanks whereas the elected school board
members of the Benton Harbor area school's Board of Education recognized the value the vital role of the US Department of Education doe in advancing educational Equity supporting state and local education systems and ensuring the civil rights of all students whereas the
closure or significant reduction of the doe the Department of Education would have a devastating consequences for millions of students Educators and families across Michigan and the United States whereas every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow regardless of their background and the Department
of Education is essential in ensuring that the vision of public education remains a priority whereas the incoming Administration has proposed potential cuts to the Department of educ A's budget prompting concern among parents teachers and school board members regarding the future of public education
whereas the Department of Education administers over 100 billion annually to State schools and higher education institutions which strengthens public education systems and directly benefits families and communities whereas the Department of Education enforces critical civil rights laws that protect students from the Discrimination based
on race gender disability or language including Title Nine the individuals with disability Education Act and Title One funding whereas closing or crippling the Department of Education would disrupt billions of dollars in federal funding dis disproportionately impacting
lowincome communities and exasperating educational inequities now therefore be a resolve that the Ben Harbor Area Schools Board of Education strongly urges Congressional representatives to reject any proposals to eliminate or weaken the US Department of Education be a further
resolve that the Ben Harbor area school's Board of Education advocates for the strengthening of the Department of education's cap capacity to serve all Americans ensuring that every student has access to high quality public education is there a motion to approve
staff report B2 or the resolution B2 board resolution to support the protection of the US Department of Education so move the motion has been made by truste Doyle is there a second or support support the motion has been made by truste Doyle and supported by
truste rocket Martin any questions comments or concerns I would like to um I'll go to vice president Bradley treasur Treasurer Bradley it's all right I'm sorry um I'm
sorry um I was gonna say this is um I'm glad that we as a board are you know taking steps on this with everything that's going on at a federal level um you know you have uh various you know no matter what side of the aisle you voted on or what you believe or how you tend
to vote um federal education dollars impact every every socio economic level and um you know the big talk talk of it is uh free and reduced price lunches for our students and that's I mean that's just you know everywhere and the state
can only do so much with with their funding so I'm glad that we are taking that stand thank you I would like to um thank trusty Doyle for um bringing this to our attention I know
she she I believe she individually emailed each of us and um the majority of us if not all of us signed individually I also would like to thank vice president Bowen for the recommendation that we take a stand as a full board being that we had already
collectively um signed on individually I think that it is a powerful statement to be made so I just want to thank each of you for being open um I know that sometimes we say that we shouldn't be too political in our seats but we have been elected we are elected officials and our responsibility is to protect our
children um here specifically in B Harbor area schools but any opportunity that we can give to a greater voice for Michigan public school students or on a federal level I think um would be an excellent opportunity for us as advocates to change in the field of
education so I just thank you all um I do plan to vote Yes and so I'm hoping that the board will support as well and then I believe there was a comment from trusty Gavin thank you so much president Robinson um I too am in full support and
grateful for this we are looking you know billions of dollars are going to go somewhere and sometimes people tell us to stay out of politics but when you look at your check and 30% is taken out
of your check and you're paying 6% sales tax and this tax and that tax that is mining the business that pays you and we want to make sure that dollars are coming back into our communities and investing in our children is the
greatest resource that we that's the greatest resource that we can be we can be doing with our money right and so if we don't take a stand for our children we'll be looking at larger class sizes cuts to mental health support cuts to P
Grant support cuts to you know so many different things I was looking at some notes Here on that um we cannot afford to be silent on this issue and so we are not looking to our states our states will still
have power um in our schools and our local school boards will still have power but we want to make sure that the dollars that go to uh the federal government are also invested in our children and so I'm really glad and really proud to see that our board is Unified on this issue and that we are
looking to make sure that the dollars are invested in our schools both State dollars and federal dollars I'm really excited about this resolution Madam trusty raet Martin M I asked so we would send this so we would send this
letter to the state of Michigan to the Department of of education and then or send it directly to Washington DC so the actual um what we go in to sign on the electronic letter that you have sent it already it already has each of us listed
but then at the bottom it specifically says that the B Harbor Ed the B Harbor area school's Board of Education signs as a collective board because each of us has signed or the majority of us has signed but we but it would be noted that
it's specifically the entire board and so I'm supposed to have a convers a call with um the gentleman this this evening to discuss if further because they're planning to present this letter they're planning to present this letter um in the next
week Charlie from mejc I'm supposed to speak with him after the board meeting yes Angela did you give this gentleman my phone number because I didn't know if it was an automated prompt I text back and I said is this a real person or a spam text I didn't know
who that I didn't know go ahead no it's actually a young lady and a young lady okay thank you I didn't I hadn't have a clue she reached out earlier to let me know that they will be delivering it on the 18th around about noon and we're trying to get some people together I
figured they were probably trying to get me to pull up somewhere um so so we would be signed on as a board but we can also send a copy of this resolution to the office that they're going to deliver we can give forward a copy of our letter so that it can be included in what they
provide okay okay any other questions all right hearing none secretary triplet can you please call the vote for the board resolution to support the protection of the US Department of Education president Robinson yes vice president bow yes secretary triplet yes
Treasurer Bradley yes trustee rocket Martin yes truste Doyle yes truste Gavin yes madame president motion carries all right awesome thank you all and again thank you trusty Doyle for sharing
that with us that opportunity with us and thank you vice president B for the recommendation that we do do it as a collective board um next on the agenda as a reminder everything from this point will take one vote um the committee of the whole proposed schedule um that is
in your agendas I will read the staff report so that everyone is aware on exactly what is being voted on and then we'll proceed to the next staff report we're going to take them all in one vote okay so
um a regular meeting of the Board of Education of the district was held in Ben Harbor High School library within the boundaries of the district on the 11th day of February 2025 at 6:00 p.m. the meeting was called by myself all members are present the following Preamble and resolution were offered by
I'll indicate which members whereas the Ben Harvard area school's Board of Education will hold work sessions to conduct board business in according with in accordance with board policy 0122 board policy 0122 provides that the board may change board procedures and any other matter relative to effective
functioning of the board now there now therefore be resolve that one in previous school years the board has held work sessions to conduct board business two it is recommended that the board um maintain work sessions which will serve as committee of the whole and restructure the the work sessions
according to the attached Committee of the whole work session schedule three all resolutions and parts of this resolution in so far as they conflict with the provisions of this resolution B and the same are hereby rescinded and so essentially what we're doing is maintaining our work sessions our work
sessions will be used as the committee meetings as indicated on your individual um proposal that trustee Gavin gave you so this would eliminate the need for those individual hour and hour and a
half committee meetings committee meetings will be during your work session meetings essentially um so at this time I'm asking or we'll move forward um with the agenda and then we'll proceed unless there's some type of confusion or Clarity needed secretary
triplet it was my understanding that the committee of the whole work sessions that uh when Mr uh when the representative came from masb is that you still do have these committee um you have individuals that
meet with the superintendent or director or what have you um so it's not like a an official meeting but there has to be something that is done prior to in order for us to bring it to the table um not just bring it to the table but have the
discussions so you would know as the President we will know what's actually coming before us correct so you would still we would still go through with the committee but they won't be like uh a set meeting so so right now our committees as they stand don't have a
chair you all have not had an opportunity to meet to elect uh or to to select a chair in the event that there's any disagreement on who the chair of the committee should be it would have to come before the board table so you all can take a for formal vote we've never
had that issue most of the time there's a um understanding within the committee of who is willing to step up and who we're willing to support for that position but the chair would have the accountability and responsibility for ensuring that their section of that agenda is is put together with you know
with their individual director and Dr buz and then he I would not get that final information until the work session agenda is presented to me so the Committees are going to have to do the work of choosing your chair so that person because that's a that's a
lot of accountability for that person Madam president I did ask you to to take into consideration one of the uh one of the the critical pieces I think is an um the finance of the district you know and I
think that it should be something separate within itself because the finance committee um is indirectly a part of all of the Committees if the Committees have
to um if the committees have to if money is being requested to be spent they're doing this budgeting piece and I think that we need to keep a close eye on that and the treasurer is the person that leads that from from past is the person
that leads the finance committee and so I just think that you know where we are right now I don't want us to get to lose it um our eye on it you know having our eye on our finance um committee I think that and and then and then looking at
our fin committee I know that you have loads and loads of things to do um vice president is like the sub over all Committee in particular but I really think that the treasury and the president if no one else and and someone else that that uh would be a part that
would want to be a part of it I think that that should be a separate committee because you guys uh those two individuals need to be on top of the finance we can't you know and work closely with uh director Brock Carter who gave us great news from my understanding last week so I would like
for you to take that into consideration um and and how that might look so the finance and Facilities committee will remain merged because we've taken that vote however if there's something specific that that committee needs to meet on that is prior to coming
before the work session this does not limit your committee from doing any additional work that it may need to do so if there is some extra additional work that the finance committee the finance and facility committee needs to sit and talk about outside of the work session before coming to us or anything
if there's some type of meeting that you all think you need you're not prevented from scheduling a a particular meeting to do that but the finance and Facilities meetings are the Committees are going to remain merged because we took that vote to do so okay all right okay so I just want to make sure everyone's clear if there's something
big we're working on you don't have to wait until the work session to to deal with it if it's a smaller meeting that's needed before you all come before us to ensure you know what you want to discuss with us but this but but in saying that I don't want to get in a situation where
every month every committee needs a small meeting before we come to work session because we're trying to to figure the system out and we're trying to make sure that we're being as effective and efficient with our meetings as possible vice president bow did you have a question or comment I just want to
confirm that you guys stated that staff they would have to come to the committee as a but the main meeting so what Dr bus is recommended is that staff would be a committee of the whole because that's essentially where they're going to be needing to provide most of the
clarifications the expectation is that when we come to regular board meeting we've already gotten clarification needed during the work session or we've emailed additional questions or whatever the case may be we've already done the background work and homework any additional questions that may arise
would be um it would be solely on Dr buds to answer those questions with us so he is asking that his his team not have to be at the regular board meeting because they're going to be in the work sessions with us and providing those clarifications and details during that
time I would my argument would be that our superintendent should be competent to run his meeting without his um directors if he feels that that's something he should do he can do and if he's making the recommendation I have no objection I think that that would take
quite a bit of load off of the staff it would also get us out of the potential of us directing questions to them or making comments about what administration is or is not doing because we only have one employee um and so I support Dr bu's recommendation that they not have to be present he thinks he's strong enough to stand alone this
will give us an opportunity to see that but as the as the chief of this district and the superintendent he should be able to answer every question we have with or without his team and he's saying it's something he can do so this will be a challenge you know I want to say this and no pun
No Shave no nothing I have a I have a question that I'm gonna ask never mind watch what they do that's right he is he is he is recommending that they not have to be present now if we get through the first one or two
meetings that we determine that they are needed then that will be under his leadership to say that they need to be present it doesn't mean that they will never be here he may say there's a meeting where based on what we're discussing he wants some present but he is he is giving us a heads up so I want answers I don't want I will get back to
you I will get back to you and I hope I don't sound hard or you don't but what I would suggest is that you in having a work session that um sir I think you asked me a question and now side talking okay um I was just saying that as a general BR it wasn't a question
yeah no and that's a very valid point Point what what I would ask for the board to do um vice president bow is have those questions together at the work session any question that is not answered at the work session should be
sent to Dr bus in advance that will give him every opportunity to be able to answer every question that we have secretary triplet yeah I I think that you know I I can support it and I support uh vice president Bourne's the same because the bottom line is simply
this we just have to keep it keep it real and we I I've said this and it it none of this stuff that we're saying or I speak for myself I don't think that any of us think that we're saying is personal but when the superintendent the superintendent should be able after work
session to answer any questions he should know this that's his responsibility and so I don't know what the the purpose is as far as people um not coming because of the time or to take them off but the superintendent
once that work and if something else comes up that we have a question he should still be the one that's responsible for answering that question we don't have to send it you know I mean I know you're recommending if it comes to you you send it early but what I'm saying he should be able he should be
able to stand 10 toes down and represent his district because he's indicating he doesn't think his directors are are needing to pres and so that's what he's saying he's going to do that's why he he's saying he doesn't need them here but I just want to remind everyone we've kind of gone off in a side Tang it within the last two to three minutes the
the resolution has nothing to do with the staff it's only about the actual work sessions and so the internal organizational operation as to whether they're president or not is not what we're taking a voting on tonight we're just voting on um the restructuring of the work session that's indicated in
staff report B3 so we're going to proceed um so we'll be taking that as a as a part of our consent agenda vote um up next we have a masb winter Institute recap being provided by Treasurer
Bradley you have the floor all right good evening everyone I'm going to try to be quick as possible so we can stay efficient um I'm going to do a quick summary in accordance with policy 01751 School Board conferences conventions and workshops um and that's basically say
saying that you know we have to come back and do a report um I had the opportunity to attend four classes I think I've taken these classes before um CBA 248 building board Effectiveness team building and they uh changed the title of that Communications and
conflict so um I think they added Communications and conflict uh CBA 259 creating trust CBA 310 budget anatomy and shortfalls and CBA 103 Basic School Finance um some key takeaway CBA 103 uh
Basic School Finance uh describing the budget process the budget breakdown and how to navigate the school budget and where the revenue sources come from for school districts um for your all uh information the state is considering um in this year's state budget to take the student Foundation Aline was up to
$10,000 per uh per student from the 9,000 I think 600 yeah 9,600 so they're thinking about doing that um we also discussed how milles are C at and how they can help when we try to pass a bond to help taxpayers uh know how much
they're going to be paying uh we discussed the how the state breaks down the sources of Education funding uh fund balance protocol and putting a policy uh in place to ensure it's at a good level um I don't know if we have one in place I've been checking the um the policy
manual and that's probably something we can discuss later on uh Dr buts um and the goals and our vision should be matching the budget um staggering major purchases so that we don't have won't have larger expenses at the end of the life cycle or a lot of repair bills so
basically if we buy a bunch of brand new buses staggering them out um CBA 248 we discussed various ways of building effective board teams and having a healthy team Dynamic um and we also discussed ways to handle Conflict at the board table uh we discussed tuckman
stages of development um Storming foring Norman performing in the journey um I know that comes up a lot of the table um and they even had actually you know fixed one and said reforming you know if you have one or two new board members or somebody returning to the board you're
reforming so that was something um using empathy uh the dis assessment and Madam president that's probably something we could look at as far as our one of our Retreats um doing with the cabinet as well uh conflict resolution and that's usually in the storming phase time and
and here's one that somebody from another district has said that they you know did conflict um when they had a conflict with another board member was there's a time and place to say and do certain things and so basically you know keeping certain things away from the board table and discussing after the
board meeting uh CBA 259 I know some people were saying they had trust issues with some things um and this you know center around creating trust at the board table and how we can build trust amongst each other um if you look in the in your book in your books um I got like
three three handouts so I did come bearing gifts from that um you may have these already 20 strategies for developing team trust um it's the first one um there's a trust self assessment that you probably all can take in your spare time and um building the building
blocks of high performing schools and I think this is one thing we should try to keep you know at the Forefront that building blocks of high performing schools um let me see where am I at and we talked about social capital um then they had a you know a good discussion on
public schools organizations under mistrust and the reasons why and then they also discussed how China of command plays into trust um modeling relational trust and how that flows to other groups and discuss the trust cycle as well um
strong levels of relational trust one and two chance of making significant reforms weak relationships one in seven chance of making gains so we can have a strong level of trust with each other and Trust in the district is going to
give us a lot of significant reforms uh discuss ways board can build trust amongst each other before and after board meeting dinners riding to Retreats and other social activities no board business just social time and we've done that before um especially my previous time where we went out to dinner and we
just sat and had conversations you know and just made sure that we can kind of talk and that's probably something we probably can look into again if you know it needs be and um finally CBA three 310 this class talked about the anatomy of the budget and how the budget is
developed and the different function areas um and that's the end of that and I just want to put a plug in real quick while I have the floor um masb is going to have virtual webinar coming up on the 27th of February to discuss um after the
state of the um state of address by the governor they're going to do a virtual um CB uh well a virtual webinar to discuss you know what she did talk if she talked discussed on uh educational things um then the other thing I want to put in the plug in is the spring
Institute coming up in May um I know I will be attending I know trusty rocket Martin is attending so if y'all you know don't have anything going on and the major one is going to be in October and that's definitely a good time so everybody at the table can attest to that we've had a good time with that so
um any question comments concerns no sir thank you so much thank you all appreciate it all right awesome um moving right along uh under the superintendent section today we have a update from Discovery Enrichment Center
being provided by principal Dandrea Patterson you have the floor good evening everyone um it is an honor to be here please forgive my voice I just got over the flu last week I was out all week thank God I'm able to stand cuz if you know about the flu and body
aches hops down honey but I prepared a video for you all to give you some highlights on what's going on that deck and I would like to thank Mr Nicholas gun wonderful talented young man who assist me with making this video so sit back and enjoy and I am here for
questions [Music] know [Music] I'd be happy to share that information with you um so what I discovered is that in
the fall as we started this new reading Mastery Program a lot of the students probably were not with course but we started off with 41 students who tested in the pre-programed lessons for the
first lesson but jumping to the winter we decided to do the placement test again and we discovered that that number dropped all down to three so we have 41 in the winter who tested at the
pre-program one but in the excuse me in the fall but in the winter we only had three that's a that's a a triun of students of about 38 students who are no longer testing in the pre-program
lessons so that means that 38 of our students have sh gr C that means when we say I know sometimes when we Dr we think like oh wait decrease so something decrease or something F but that shows us that our
students are where they need to be in the winter so we are super proud that we have 38 students they no longer have to do the preest which is at the beginning they are where they should be now yes Miss Patterson very well put we
have many students who are no longer testing the preprogram lessons some of those students have jumped up to U pre-program 21 but most importantly in the kindergarten lessons we started off with only three children
who tested at kindergarten one level but now we have 36 students who are tesed can you sayp we had two students who tested at your kindergarten 15 lessons but now we have
14 students who tested at the kindergarten 14 of that means there was an increase of 12 students in kindergarten 15 and an increase of 33 students in kindergarten
1 our students have been growing with the reading Mastery Program so far so we thank all of those who are responsible for bringing that program to us and we're looking forward to more in the Discover we do a lot of
great things to recognize our students academics their behavior and just overall foll our expectations one of the things we have is the academic where our students are recognized for their
academic anything they do when it for all academics every month at the end every month weent Mon and do on okay
know man the process all right so if I count more so 1 2 3 4 five 6 1 2 3 4
5 9 this what you got [Music] we we our and Community when it comes to do events here at our school like for example our January family was our math
night where friends are able to come in and learn the different that they do in the classroom when it comes to Ma and this we talk about also had a big collaboration
project with City where our teacher house coll class pictogram about yes it was a really amazing opportunity for our students Mr Nicholas gun came along with some other
individuals from the city of v haror and they talk to our children about pollution and what it was and how to take care of our where we should put it they talked about o cre and what they're doing with that and students opportunity
to use their artistic ability to draw pictures beautiful so after Drew their pictures Mr gun along with some other people are going to choose a picture to
turn into a sticker that will be used by residents of v and harbor to put on their large siiz garbage um that's out so the students were involved they were excited I think they learned a lot it was just really good opportunity every
day after they eat lunch and they're getting really good um getting it's fun it's fun to see these kids become independent in the skill that's going to affect them for the rest of their life they're learning about how
to rush why it's important to rush it's you create changes impacts how you can pay attention as wello if your team don't hurt and then when you're when you're in a daily routine like this think it helps with a lot of other things like you have tooth pain you
can't you can't learn and so we're starting this program and um it's been amazing and very rewarding impressive look at these These are lowercase can you tell me the letters that on this
page you these are letter you know the name of this letter me the name very good you see that yeah that must as you can see I'm very proud of the
thing it's the tear Dr for me because we do so much at that I didn't even think of it's a awesome thing I love my babies um but it's a it's a great feeling because we are actually learning that deck um a lot of times people look at
preschool and keny gner as oh it's just play or they just R through play but as you can see my babies are really reading that's nothing fake that's nothing stage it literally was a we did that in one day and it was what it was no scripts it was going to be what it was going to be
and we got that together what questions do you have i m president you have the floor I just want to applaud you you know um me and you are in the same age bracket so I remember you walking those school that hallway in the school um and to see you as the
administrator and seeing your impact does something to me I am disappointed for you this Saturday but um yeah but I just want to say I commend you and I also commend you Dr buts because it proves proven effective
leadership and we're seeing the results of Dr buts um transparency and recommendation and Leadership and believing and trusting you you so thank you and congratulations I appreciate that thank
you uh trusty roet Martin I also like to commend you can you pull your mic a little I also would like to commend you in your building on the work that you're doing have a new appreciation for preschool I Ser preschool sometime at the why I've had it in my building
before but I never really interacted that much with the kids but you guys have your hands your job cut out for you and so I applaud you and your staff for the work that you're doing with our bitten haror kids thank you thank
you uh Treasurer Bradley um principal Patterson great job I mean when last term I was on I tour job building and very impressed and I remember um you know it was some things that they had to move move some stuff around everybody was like why they
moving you back to the preschool Center but your building is always every time I go in there it's clean the kids are interacting they're learning and um and when I looked at that video it made me go back to my preschool years and I you know going way back to um I went to Tri
County Head Start Over Hagar Shores and way out in know corner and and they made that experience you know it just laid a foundation and I'm glad y'all laying that Foundation because when those kids get you know get older and they look back they're going to be like oh okay I remember going here and
Miss Paris teaching me this and doing this so keep up the excellent work I'm glad it had that video and Dr buts I want to say can y'all start doing that for every every school and you know that's gonna be oh no that's only a de thing no I got do it for every
school but no it was for excellent video and you know stay encouraged and keep up the good work thank you trusty Gavin thank you president Robinson principal Patterson I've always been impressed um with you and with what you've done with
our students and your staff I can easily tell that this that the students are happy there they're comfortable with you that shows that you are not just in your office that you are really interacting with them and engaging with them and and
it really speaks to your entire staff um that I've seen and the passion uh even in even in your office uh your assistant is is no joke very serious about what goes on in that building um I do have a
question I toured there before there was a room and I'm not sure if you still have it I'm just curious if you do there was a room I think they were starting or I could be wrong but I think they were starting a room for pregnant
moms to for for can you share a little bit about that so um we had so this year I'm really not sure well the Shannon Hoover was over it but she was moved to a different position so I'm really not sure about what the status of that is
now as far as the grant but when we did have it when Mrs quandra King was over it um the year before not last year but the year before when I was principal before that um we had a program where our parents would come in once a week on
Tuesday and when they didn't come in they'll come in once a week and Miss quandra King will go to their house once a week so they'll come in on Tuesdays and she'll do she'll read a book like as a group in a group setting with them they will get a snack and then they will
go over activities that the mom can do with the kid at with the child at home um and they were able to come from like born to 3 years old if they because um our preschool program starts at 4 and then they will she would give them a calendar of like activities they can do
every day with their baby at home um for every month so I'm not really sure of the status of what happened um I did asked about that in the beginning and I don't really know what happened as far as getting it up back up and running but it was very effective and fun and I was
going to bring my baby you know to join it as well but Mrs King she's in a different position now and so is Miss Hoover okay thank you for explaining that that's such an awesome program I hope that somehow we can bring that back even you know pregnant moms reading to
their child before birth yes makes a huge difference um in their development so really grateful kudos to Nick gun he's always I don't know how he's able to do so much in theity but just do an amazing job thank you yes um and also I
would like to shout out my two girls Miss Mitchell my family and Community Advocate and my Administrative Assistant that's the first person you see you walking always have a smile mistitled them on my right and my left them my girls I appreciate you all for coming and support so I would like to also
thank you for coming um we did request to have more um presentations from our schools so that we can actually see the amazing things that you all are doing I know that we had very serious conversations at the board table sometimes based on concerns we may
Express or concerns expressed by the public people would think that um our district is crashing and and on its way to closure and so our principles have done an amazing job at coming in and highlighting um the amazing things that you all are actually doing in your buildings handson to support our
students and it's helpful for us to see how those things are being operationalized so I just thank you for coming forward for having the level of passion that you have for allowing us to actually Witness is one of our students reading he's very tiny so it's extremely exciting to see um the work and the
passion my child was a student of that school and so I know that um it's a strong school and that you guys truly do care about our students so I just want to thank you for bringing that positivity because we need it and I think the public needs to know that great things are happening at Ben har area school so I appreciate you thanks
for having me secretary triet I I I too want to say and I'm I'm so very very proud of you Mrs Patterson and your leadership you know in that brief
transition and um you leaving that building um was to me a mistake um I you know just for me I think we lost a lot in your
absence and I'm so glad I'm so glad that first and foremost that you're back there I know a lot of things have happened other entities and and and what have you you uh taking children out and
and what have you as a result of that you're you're right and your left hand I've seen them down through the years they are absolutely amazing I want to say to you all to be encouraged and all sincerity I'm not related to any of
you okay I want to put that on the record but I am related to you as it relates to Venton Harbor and what you do you are you are Miss Mitchell is such an amazing uh parent liaison the work that
you do with these families and what have you might not be the traditional way in the TR traditional manner but Bon haror is not traditional way traditional manner you're always so very kind Mr Tyler I think that this is a season of
quality versus quantity and so we might not have 200 300 kids up in there but what what I think is very important that what we do in this particular season is that we
focus in on who God has left here with us and we show the people in this community and surrounding places and spaces that there is power so thank you so very very much thank you thank you all right and I'm just wondering do
we have we um do we have enough Waters I know there's a few people in here maybe ill or kind of coughing during comments do we can we offer water to the public if it's needed and
math and hand sanitizers are possible can we wipe the mic we might need to wipe the mic down as well so we do have um water for the public if anyone needs one I don't think we have throat losses or anything but we do have hand sanitizer mask and things
of that nature before he leaves I think we should oh and Mr gun we just want to thank you for your video your assistance he's absolutely amazing alrighty
don't touch it okay um next we have strategic Plan update and I know Dr bus the last time we were in a meeting you said you have not received an official response or update um I just want to make sure that we're hearing you clearly because I know when we were in our virtual meeting with
the Department of Education as it relates to the partnership agreement they were giving us the updates and the numbers and they were actually much higher than like our kids did phenomenal um we do actually have that data so but I just want to make sure have you received a formal response like because
we have to present within a certain time frame on the partnership agreement we do have to present at a certain time uh as of today I just received it so I'll be at our next work session I know so you're going to present it are we doing it formally in that regular board meeting yes okay yes ma'am okay I just
want to make sure because we have a certain window of time before we have to present it and each time we've asked we've been told it has not yet been received but it has been received as of today as of today yes and so we'll be formally presenting yes ma'am in our next regular board meeting because we
have a window of what 30 or 60 days 30 days okay all right so we need to make sure we do that and then I'll I'll uh secretary triplet was it triplet oh gav Gavin thank you um I'm not able to open the Strategic Plan update document I don't
know if anyone else is Miss can can or Dr bus can you all send that um yes I'll share share that with everyone it may be a share uh access issue but there is a hard copy in your
binder as well secretary triplet I would just like to put on the record that when anything that is sent out to us for us to review as I stated the last
time we must be able to open it then we cannot open these documents at this table and make a truly informed decision for those six of you all who read your
email on a regular basis we've got to be able to open this we've got to be able to have access to this material and this this has been something that has been ongoing for some time now so I'm going to defer to uh Dr bus
to provide his update um and then I would ask I'm G to step out for a second while he's doing so vice president Bowens if I am absent um once we get to drive or wherever we are if you could just proceed with the meeting but I'll be back shortly okay and note secretary triplet
has to step out as well but we'll be back shortly we're not taking votes until a little bit later thank you madam president well I do think you need a we have a COR that's seven people if two off that's yeah that's right thank you madam president under
the um strategic planning goes what I did was I went in I tried to update them as we have those from uh from some from The Benchmark Review so on the first one under academic programs
you'll see increased student achievement as measured on local state and National assessment um on the evidence Parts is evidence in the 18 month Ben review and if you go to the next slide in your in your package that you have it shows that
the not proficient student group is decreasing at MLK grade three so that just one that's just one part of the um strategic plan that we were looking at the biggest part being
um grade three where there's a a large Target there also under academic programs expanded expand Blended learning opportunities and Technology utilization all K through Class 12 uh K through
Class K through 12 classrooms as we've just signed on with 20% add uh you'll see on the very next slide uh well I'm sorry not on the very next SL as we've signed up with 2% Ed
they provided some goals to go along with each of our um academic programs for Blended learning opportunities in all classrooms on the next one on the academic programs increase academic performance by 5% on state
assessment um on the next slide you'll see from The Benchmark Review we've not made the full 5% but we are gaining in both um from our Baseline to our 24 uh uh students at the beginning of the
year for ELA and math not at the high school or Cape but you are seeing some growth at fairplane East fairplane Middle and MLK under culture leadership culture learning and environment please excuse
me I to um have been suffering with flu and bronchitis so excuse me for tonight under culture learning environment establish a framework for student learning loops and structures for regular communication with District leadership with the mtss team we've been
going around with advisory counselors Miss Nichols and I have visited four of our schools learned some very interesting information from our students where we can improve our students at the elementary level are very interested in sports so we'll be
speaking with our interim ad to start offering Sports a variety of Sports at the elementary level to start our theater programs the students indicated they were interested in sports such as soccer tennis pball uh baseball softball
opportuni so we'll be looking into making sure that we formed those theer teams at the elementary level also on the culture learning environment Implement annual attendance truy awareness campaign and monitor Student Center activity practice we have
an active attendance campaign in progress is being monitored through our student Support Services director Miss CLE the Nichols along with our treny officer under personnel and Leadership ensure all staff complete require annual
with safe school training on March 28th we have a active shooter training that's designated for the district that will be presented by uh Mr Bowers a local community
trainer under personnel and Leadership um continue to implement education Educators evaluation Effectiveness tool that's still in progress as principles are doing their SFS evaluation based on standards for
Success under Communications and Community engagement mitigate existing Community barriers to prevent family engagement we are creating flyers for our elll students to um lower those barriers as
we know our new Administration has made policies and SE and many of our Hispanic students have stopped attending my uh attempt is to reach out to let them know that we have a virtual program that they could um attend through Kate and it's
also with with Centric and it's able to be translated into their native language so we still want to reach out to those and ensure that we keep those FTE and possibly grow some FTE under communication and Community engagement establish and Implement
District annual stakeholder surveys we will be having our uh stakeholder survey with the mass facilities plan soon I'll be sending that information out I did speak with Miss Marchman last week in reference to uh
planning a another advisement uh meeting to give the results back from the open buildings they are also in the process of putting together a survey for the closed buildings as well miss singer if you would make a note that the
mayor uh enter the building at 7:20 pm thank you Mr Mayor under operations uh complete request for proposal RFP process for outstanding financial service request we just
received our RFP for driver's ed today that is also in your packet that I sent to you earlier for review and I'll go over that part when we get there before we take a consent agenda vote so I can do a little explaining on that part um develop and master facilities
plan for educational facilities Capital Improvement and real EST State again we're planning the next meeting date and I should have that for you by the next work session and that um completes the update for the Strategic uh plan if there any
questions are there any questions Madame Martin in the AC academic um for MLK grade three what I'd love to see is the fact that none not proficient
student group is decreasing that means that our kids are getting better that's correct anytime you can find a decrease in the non-proficient population of kids that means your students are improving and also the partially proficient
student group is increasing that's a step up so um that shows that MLK is doing better and and getting things done um and also like for for no it wasn't
operation but was something in a for a family engagement what hinders the parents I think a lot of it might be Transportation because um I'll say that because I have a a y Club after school
and if the parents have to pick up the children and if there's any time that um they can't they can't they want to be a part of it but they have no transportation to get home one thing I can add um
so trusty rocket Martin is that as we as we move forward to have our parent participate our parent activities we did you all did uh uh approve the purchase of a of a school van of of 15 pass 15 passenger
van that we could use to pick up some of those parents when needed so if they start to let us know we can go around and pick them up it be great thank you truste Gavin thank you um Dr B I want to thank you for um
presenting the driver's education information can you speak in your mic sorry I want to thank you for presenting the driver's education information I know we've been you know praying for that for so long and it's become a state wide issue I'm really glad to hear that
our secretary of state uh is looking to support schools uh with grant funding for this and there's a huge need for us to provide that especially for lowincome families I noticed in the proposal that
there were two options a option a or an option b do we um do are we just going with option A I know that you said that you wanted the staff to be able to provide that service is that how that works can I can I wait till I get that
so I can give a full explanation oh okay I thought that you were okay no man I'm going do that part so I can ask those questions on that end yes okay perfect so just with the Strategic um plan um I I do have some ideas just in
terms of how the numbers can be presented in a way that we can actually see um the growth in the metric side but I think that that's something that we're going to have to get into a little deeper when we have our committee meetings um and so I guess you know I
won't you know I won't go too deep into that just hoping that in the future we can kind of see not necessarily like if they had a training but how many you know what percentage of the trainings were
complete what percentage um of progress was achieved um those types of things that's really pretty much where I stand but I think that some of it is just going to have to be us getting in the Committees and making sure that we figure out how we want to receive the
information so that um so that it works for us um yeah that's that's pretty much it for me thank you so much that Clarity is needed because it's it's kind of sometime muddled when I'm trying to figure out what exactly you're looking for so we can go over that that would be
great and I provide it really easy yeah thank you treasure Bradley um good good update thank you uh Dr buts um so I got a few few things I
had wrote down um now as far as the ELA numbers um at our secondary level yeah um I'm I'm G to try to stay out the weeds here so what um what is the disconnect because you know I see we're
doing good at you know at the um Middle School elementary levels but then we get up here to the high school that numbers fall down so is um what is some something that y'all working on with it or what's what's going on with me out no no you're fine something we're
definitely working on what we what we've noticed at the middle and high school and Cape we are using a Centric which is a it's a virtual program but it has a teacher on the other end um need math and science teachers math excuse Math
Science and ELA teachers we are currently working on our grow your own excuse me we are currently working on your gr on your grow on our grow your own however um it's to work in
progress thank you okay the I'm sorry to jump in the chart that you're looking at is that something we have a copy of and then um I no and then um I'm just you know look said with the Hispanic students I think that's probably good if
we could do the virtual because in that way could be offering their language um and then I'm looking forward to that Master's facility plan because I know we have some good things on Horizon yes sir yeah so that's all I have to say on that uh vice president Bowens please
note that I returned as of 7:30 as well as secretary triplet thank you so earlier this year I asked that a letter go out on our social media pages about
our safe and supportive environment for our Hispanic population I know you guys have a superintendent meetings um what is do you know what the
other schools for example all CLA schools what are they doing to ensure that their students are safe are they seen a decrease and how are the your fellow superintendent handling that they've seen a decrease as well but they
are not they they're what we what we've done is we've held a we've had a uh a webinar where all the superintendents across the state were were able to join they just gave us parameters and protocols to follow when if and or
if Homeland Security FBI or I shows up it's not just one agency so I'm glad you brought that question up it's not just one agency that'll show up for immigration we also have to look at the fact and I've been directing all of our principles and admin assistance to send
them directly to administration because if they come from Ice if it's signed by an agency director that's not a warrant that we have to let them go through our schools it has to be signed by a judge we can do that uh we
can verify that through our legal council if they're signed by a judge is very little we can do if it's signed by an agency Personnel we can hold them off we've also uh um in this region we've uh uh Mr
Chuck height has also Chuck height and and one of the the state police uh div division directors over this area has also stated that they will be accompanied by either local law enforcement the county shair or the
state police if they should come if anybody should show up without one of them we are to call them and our legal counsel before allowing them to get to any of our students as a protection so we can make sure that these orders are
signed correctly also in our policy we have uh state constit law where they can't disrupt school so it's not as if they just going to go to a class and grab someone out of class so we we there are some parameters what we are going
what we're trying to do is reach out to the students I haven't heard any of my fellow superintendant that are reaching out to their Hispanic populations that they've openly said I am openly saying that we are we will be reaching out to ours letting them know that education is still
available to them via virtual because every day that they're out is the day they get behind you know I know it's a lot that we cannot do and our hands are tied I know we teach
our kids not to break the law but you think about a parent sending their kid to the bus stop to go to school and they can come home and their parents are gone or the fear of waiting for ice to do that um
I hope and believe that we at bitten Harbor area schools in the bitten Harbor community are doing every and anything necessary to protect this population you know and I say this
population but they live in my neighborhood I hear the music I talk to them when we go to the stores um I'm just lost from words to see that we are starting to
see the trickle effect and I know they say we do not get involved in politics on the school board but elections have consequences and this is what we're seeing it's
devastating and I hope we don't go down this long path that's it okay I'm sorry I'm a little bit lost at where we are on the agenda we are he's doing his superintendent report and we have noticed a decrease in our Hispanic population are we in strategic Plan
update okay yeah yes sry strategic plan we're noticing a decrease in our Hispanic students attending school okay okay gotcha I'm following um just to kind of um Center on what Dr bus was saying in our board president and superintendent meeting one of the things
that we talked about is that the um media um concentration and some of the information that's out there some of it which is social media misinformation is creating a heightened sense of alarm alarm um one of the districts did indicate that there was a teacher um
that thought that they could just come in and snatch students out of classrooms and so there's a lot of misinformation although there has been um some things that have taken place on a federal level our expectations and our guidelines as it relates to what we do with our students in our schools does not change
um much as it was previously because we can't give out student information and things of that nature um so there are some internal things that we're looking at like they made sure that they specified a particular um guideline as Dr bus States as it relates to you know
the initial point of contact at the door no making sure the staff knows who to contact UM as it relates to the administrator of the building and those protocols but we already have a lot of those systems in place and so we did ensure um along with the other districts
that we do give some type of guidance as it relates to that but we've never been able to give student information at the door um just because someone shows up with the badge because um and one of the great points that they made in our meeting is that anyone can go get a badge and say that they're ice um and I
know that there there was one particular University um in the last two weeks where a student was uh apprehended because he was falsely identifying himself as a ice agent so um a badge and a and a piece of paper in your p in your hand does not mean that we have to give
you anything which is why our County Sheriff assured us that if ice or any other agency were to show up in in Benton Harbor area schools they no protocol of alarming and alerting our um local police departments as Dr bus said and so they would ensure that those that
proper Channel and chain of command takes place and so our district knows that if you just have some random person showing up saying that they're ice um something's wrong because that that proper channel of communication with our local government has not taken place and so more than likely what they have is
not valid secretary triplet I think it's very very very important for those who are here and those who are listening um Benton Harbor is not a sanctuary City so it has
not uh been impacted by Ice rate it's good to have things in place but we are not a sanctuary City we have not and should not be impacted by iced raid and
so again we we we must make sure that we are informed on how these things uh play out as our president said you're going to hear all different types of things in different states and places but again
just for the record we are not a sanctuary City and we have not at this point and will not be impacted by Ice rate um I do have a question Madame President as I was looking through we came in we
did step out and I was looking at this report um where it had the the our schools and our the Baseline information and then the uh initial information and the fact when we did we did meet this is to the Board of
Education um trusty Gavin myself and president Robinson had an opportunity to uh meet with um the leaders in the partnership agreement and for clarification purposes and the information that was given uh
was not correct um our students have made great movement forward as a matter of fact all of our schools if I'm not mistaken correct me if I'm wrong have met the
Benchmark um as it relates to um what was expected of us in our partnership agreement and some have with the exception of Kate and in that Administration I think that that was something that you know how do you
monitor um the alternative education program but Martin Luther King Elementary be plane Middle School fairplane East and even bent Harbor High School in the areas of English and language arts made you know met the requirements some
of them exceeded by seven and eight and nine% percentage so we one thing that we don't do is that we don't do a good job at getting the correct information out I um I'm glad that you have that and if you
just got that information today I think that that is important enough for for what we experience every time we sit at this table when people are saying that our kids are failing our kids are not improving our kids cannot read our kids can't do this our kids can't do that we
don't have this we don't have that and that's not true in many areas we have a group of the teachers that we do have um are committed the people that we do have that are working in our schools are doing their very very best we have a lot
of things that we need to really really focus in on and I want to say to this board of education pay close attention to the attention that is being given to the secondary education division of Ben hary area school because not one one person
came in to take King they didn't come in to take Beane Middle School they didn't come in to take be plane East they came in to take High the high school and I am kind of sad if I do say I don't even
know what word to use that the emphasis has not been placed on our high school all resources teach Across America there are several different things that we can do we not going to be able to you
talking about grow your own that the reports that we're getting that's not in place and so we have to have I I I've just been sitting here waiting to see what the leadership is
going to do in that area to make sure that and and and not just sit on the laws that they're the teacher shortage Across the Nation okay so uh again I don't I don't see the rest of this Dr but in this packet that you gave us as a matter of
fact portion of it is gone so if I can get the maybe is my sheet the only one that have one sheet no your she is I will be presenting you with the entire document yeah I'm just saying right here because I'm just trying to compare in contrast and it's not in here of
colleagues so we really cannot use this um for us to be able to I think that was just a snapshot of the numbers but he's is going to formally present the the the actual update for the partnership agreement to us in our next meeting no I'm just saying that it's here at this
table Madam president I don't mean any harm or no no harm Tak at all it's not in here it's not complete it is available unfortunately I if I may say something M Miss trusty Gavin had mentioned um in committee she would like to give some insight on how to make the
numbers more uh understandable to you guys and I told that would be great idea oh this is your response to to that right to to that right there to that not being yes to that not having the entire packet no I'm just saying it we just
don't have the data the entire the data it's not about the packet the data but that's okay but thanks a lot um because we've already seen it but I would I think our board in its entirety should have it so if it is available I think this information should be sent out to
the board of education and looking forward to the information that you receiv today in the email um as it relates to where we are one more thing Madam president please please quickly wrap up your com I'm sorry okay one more thing
the I'll hold that thought okay thank you okay um the only thing that I would like to add um I did say this to M to Dr mcdermit um or Mr mcdermit is also to our um Human Resources committee as we proceed in our work and our work
sessions we really have to focus in on the areas where we are not making the progress that we would like to make once we get our official results um and we need to look at whether there's Staffing shortages and I think that we know that that's that is the part of the issue and
so once we get more into that conversation the Department of Education specifically Miss Chapman um in that partnership agreement and and most of our agreements they're asking us what can they do to support us to help us and so we need to be making sure that we're using as much of the funding that is
available to us if they can help us with recruiting of teachers um if there's any extra services or programs that we because we need to focus on Cape in a major way um and any resources and opportunities that exist that the Department of Education or treasury can
help us or support us in getting we need to make sure that we are submitting those asks because if that resource available we definitely need to be taking advantage of that yes ma'am all right so we're going to proceed um next on the agenda is staff report S1 Dr buts I know that you are having a difficulty
in um speaking um kind of losing your voice a little bit more and more as you try to talk to us are you um this this part this Driving School document um if I could just say a little bit about you have the floor and then are you are you
wanting to read the resolution or do you need support in doing that after I do this can you do the resolution okay trusty Doyle would you like the honor of reading the resolution once we get to that point being that you were the strongest advocate for this okay so I'll read it so Dr bu you
give us a brief update um kind of walk us through what you're presenting and what you're recommending and then I'll read the resolution once we get there and then we'll hold questions to after I read the resolution yes ma'am in in your packet you have a driver's a proposal
this proposal has two options what you voted on tonight is are not the two options what you vote on tonight is accepting this company the two options are there because what we want to make sure is that we can find instructors so
option A is if we use our own instructors but our instructors have to have master's degrees so if we can't find enough instructors instructors inhouse they would provide the instructors and train them and we would
pay the option b price so what you're voting on tonight is not an option of students to pay or us to pay it's just to go ahead and start business with this company so we can get them started with
um our school district so we can start offering these courses so that uh we can get our S3 funds spent okay now that we gonna let you pause and I'm going to read the resolution and then we'll be go back to
questions at that time um staff report number S1 driver's education services contract reason for board consideration the district seeks a company certified by the Michigan Department of State to perform the driver training for high school age students the district
requested proposals from qualified firms interested in providing the training all three phases of a driver's education program facts and Analysis to comply with the Michigan Department of Education MD requirements the district issued a request for proposals are for driver education services the district
published an RFP for driver education services on January 17th with proposals due on February 10th 2025 one vendor submitted a bid and it was evaluated based on criteria including experience demonstration of ability to meet District Tim taes for the work required insurance required reporting of
documentation and compliance and required educational level and background checks of Staff policy reference 6320 purchasing funding source S 3 strategic plan reference learning environment Benton Harbor area schools will develop maintain and Implement with Fidelity multi-tier system of support
that enhances the culture and learning environment recommended action that the Board of Education votes to award the driver education services contract to official Driving School ODS Incorporated from March 3rd 2025 through June 30th 2026 as
specified um is there a motion to approve staff report as oh I'm sorry we're doing them all at once um so at this time I'll ask is there any question questions or comments on the floor um vice president bow so Madame President I I I'm
confused on what Dr what just said because if I you read this right this is a purchasing policy reference 6320 correct correct
so we're purchasing a we're purchasing a service from this company so how much is the service but for up to 100 students is 43,000 we budgeted if I'm not mistaken 88,000 s of3 so we budgeted for up to 200
students so to be able to take uh sections one and two okay so here's my question because when we had to point of information yes I didn't hear what Dr bus said can I can he because he's struggling to speak he said currently
what they've budgeted is up to 8 88,000 for 200 students um currently and what was the first thing you said about if it's 100 students it would be 43,000 but currently they' they've budgeted up to
88,000 in Esser three costs um which could accommodate up to 200 students and we have to have those spent down we were given an those funds have to be spent down we were given an extension to spend those so he's using to utilize this this particular service that's been requested
by particular members of the board as the means to use those extra funds that have to be spent thank you so okay I'm sorry I'm giving the floor back to vice president bow so the resolution can you speak closer in your mic so the resolution cannot state that please
please go back to what is the question well it St St it's stating as he's trying to do the contract that's specified in our documents are you wanting him to amend the uh staff report to include those numbers or I'm not sure
what you're asking sorry never mind no I want to make sure I'm understanding what you're asking me let me answer my let so so what I'm saying is we had to put option A and option b in there in case we could not find staff if we don't have enough staff with master's degree that
we can get trained then we will have hired this company and can't do the program but if if we can't do it this the option b is there so that they the owners is on the company to find the staff and they provide the staff for us
so we can still Pro provide the service for the students by spring or early fall next year but I think what vice president BS is speaking to is there's no money on the form there's no dollar amount is that what you're indicating on
the staff report it's not on the staff report is in the RFP under the RFP one second while they wait while they work through that because it feels like we're just GNA vote for a blank check and that's oh yeah that gives the student pricing
but like you said you have it budgeted for a 100 students to 200 students right so what I'm stating and if I'm being picky I apologize he just wants to make sure that we're not signing on for 500,000
in charges of because right now in in this the way that we the way that we're taking a vote we're voting on the contract so he's saying there is no bounds on how much money is being spent based on how this staff report is written Point that he's making it's up
to the school district it's up to us to limit that we can limit that on our own we can write it in there if that's that's totally up to the board but we also can limit that inhouse as well um so and you're certain that you have funding
for up to 200 students or are you trying to just do 100 in the first year I'm certain I have funding for that that was that was actually in that's a line item budget in S three okay so could we simply um the recommended action can be
can you amend the recommended action to reflect um up to 200 students yes yes ma'am give me just a second and that could just be in the recommended action Natalie are you doing that I just I just had a quick question do we have 200
students that could take Driver's a this year I would not think so because it's a fairly new program but to to vice president Bowen's Point what he's indicating is that we're just taking a vote that doesn't specify how much money
is going to be spent so he's just making sure that the bud is not the board is not just giving a freefor all of cash and and we end up having $200,000 because we've gone over and above any the amount of students um you know what I mean so it was a valid point to make
because we're getting ready to make a vote that does not and and we've never made a purchase or or any on any staff report that does not indicate a dollar amount or the cost um but it's been amended if we could if you all could reference it and see you be see it
behind you um it now states can you zoom in a little bit on that for me I'm struggling from this angle secretary trip can you read that full recommended action action that the Board of
Education vote to award the driver education services contract to official Driving School ODS Incorporated from March the 3r 2025 through June the 30th 2026
as specified for up to 200 students okay so that says that that that cap um which is what vice president B's initial concern was I think we have a question or comment from Gavin then we'll go triplet
thank you okay um president Robinson thank you for that so Dr buz I saw in the contract that it was is for 100 students right is that correct okay so the contract indicates 100 students um so I I don't think we would be going
over that but I think it's great that we made the amendment um and you said that we have the funds we've budgeted to pay for this full program for the students my question is I've been seeing
a huge interest in um the Secretary of State wanting to make sure that our students that students in Michigan have these driver's education programs in their Public Schools there's
going to be grant funding coming down you know coming down the way um so it sounds like this can be a free program it sounds like we have to spend these funds now right is that correct we
do have to spend the funds on the program is there we'll be voting on this RFP how soon soon will you need to hear from the board in terms of whether we're going to make this free for the students or not
do you need to hear from the board or is this a decision you can make what needs to happen on our end to make sure that the program can be provided free of charge to the students if that's what we choose it is a decision I can make however I know it's been a a big Topic at the board table and I would feel
better if the board would take a vote on it my biggest thing now is to make sure that we get them on board to get the Staffing in place as soon as they get they get on board and we get the Staffing in place at our next work session we can start to mull over um if
the board would like for or students to have a a portion in there or to provide the service for free I think the clock was going during when Dr bus was responding so I didn't get my full
time um you said that you would like the board to kind of make that decision as soon possible been a concern of the board yes so if it's already funded I guess one what is your recommendation would are you recommending that the
program be free for the students or do you prefer that we're charging the students we're passing the the uh cost off to the parents I actually would prefer that some things something is is spent into
the program to give more of a student interest and more uh interest Buy in into it typically when you pay for something that's just like when you buy a new pair of shoes you really don't want to scuff them up or you want to brush them up and keep them nice unless or if someone gives you a
pair of shoes you scff them up that's all right I get another pair I just want the students to make sure that because this is one of those things uh it was also recognized through the partnership agreement they hadn't thought about um our schools when when I presented it to
them that some of our students were having problems attending programs because they they lacked the licensure to do it so they have committed as well to to add some additional funds in the future if needed right now it's funded through
S3 so if we could have that buyin from students I I think that's really important now for those families that provide the information that they just cannot afford it and their student shows that uh dedicated interest I think then we
should make some exceptions so it should be a caseby casee basis but I do think there should be something from the student in thank you so you said you would like to have a vote by when we at the next at the next work session I'd like for you to talk through
it and at the next work I mean the next regular meeting work session and thank you and if it's okay with President Robinson we do have a student here um um I'm wondering if it's possible to hear from Mr Walker how he feels about the
driver's education program and if he feels like it should be a free program for the students or if he feels like they should pay um I don't mind that I know secretary triplet and Rockette had their hand um do you want do you all want to go first or do would you like to hear from him regarding that direct
response this is a part of my question okay go ahead sir you have thoughts on that should should Ben Harbor area schools fully fund drivers's Ed or should the students have a have a portion to pay what's your thoughts or do you need more time to
consider you need more time I think we do too um so are you are you g to be at our next work session do you have plans on being at our next work session meeting so tonight one of the students had the basketball game and I was going to have them at our next board meeting
okay instead of the work since they're a little long but I can have them at whichever want you even if it's just for that set that section of the conversation okay um so we can have their thoughts and then they can just leave I can okay um we'll go to uh secretary tripl and then truste raat
Martin Madam president and colleagues on the board of education when I attended Ben Harbor High School Ben Harbor High School had its own driver's education program here on the ground there were two trailers in the back of the school that we did our simulations in
and so they were simulating driving we do not have the qualified teachers we're looking for teachers for Math and everything else so we don't that's not even to me that's not even up for discussion if they have the uh the personnel and the staff to do so then we
need to go ahead and let them um do this as well I see here in the RFP that the company vehicles must hold a current Michigan registration and what have you and I see that that's scratched out Ben Harbor area schools had two vehicles
that they had the brakes on both sides with the with the teacher having access to the brakes on the right side while the students were driving after they come out of the simulator so I guess I'm just trying to get I probably would need a little bit more on what this actually
looks like I feel like this that we get millions and millions of dollars because our students do not have the means to afford things and so am totally I don't think that we should
tax people's pockets to quote unquote teach people a lesson or to teach to see if just because they bought it or they paid for it that they would be that they would do it in driver's education they usually
take driver's education at the end of their sophomore year um going into their junior year their 16 years old there not that many sophomores and juniors at this particular time at Ben harbard High School I think that this board should take into
consideration where we are the taxes that are on our people and on our parents in particular senior year J's all they have so much and if we have the money in eer funds that we have the
money and at the black summit our secretary of state was there um also as well she had a division there and she did speak about driver's education and grants and funds so I don't think that we we we should be sitting at this table telling people we
gonna charge you money because we're g to make sure that you really really are going to be responsible our kids want driver's education many of our kids can't take driver's education because they cannot afford it yeah and so please take that into
consideration millions and millions of dollars through this District because our kids cannot afford this stuff everybody has Freel L everybody our title W funding and all a lot of the things that we get is because they can't afford so please take that into
consideration colleague thank you thank you I need a water myself okay we are next on um rocket Martin and then we'll go Bradley you Bradley you just jump in when she's done and then we'll go do questions I'd like to ask can can you
please speak the mic questions i' like to you push it back in between your comments or something how does it always so far from you yeah okay I have about three questions I'd like to ask one question I would like to ask is uh for our instructors do they necessarily have
to be hired or work for bhob Area School District or can you um uh you know get them from another place like there are instructors around so we like to hire from within the school because they're trained the
trainers and if we want to sustain this program we like to have people here that can uh continue to train others as we as people attrition so but we can't get them from the so if we can't find Enough From the Inside the
owners is on the company to find somebody from the outside okay I I say that because I remember uh if we couldn't find music we didn't have music teachers in our district we could get music teachers from outside of the district and still work for us right
okay so that's an option that we could look at that's option be okay that's an option we can look okay um my other thing is the training what all does it entail because I know it comes in two parts uh there's a first part that usually cost the most and then there's a
second part that's a little less costly right right uh that kind of just gives them the pest part and uh you know the main part of it will be that the parents will have to be able to put in those hours to put the kids on the road to do
it because I know because I've got teenagers that I had to teach how to drive so um after that there is a cost for your license uh and for taking the actual test now is that included in this driver's ad yes ma'am the cost of the
LIC is not the cost of the license just the cost of the first section and the second section okay because I believe when the last year or the year before when I it was like 70 bucks additional my my um my uh proposal was that you
know if the student just paid the $70 as a deposit would I keep his money and at the end of this T he completed the course that money would be given back to him so he would then have his money for his license and his um the training the
driver road test he would have it and he wouldn't have to worry about looking for the to finish out the course because you can do that driving you can take all these classes but if you have money to take that test you don't get it so you know that part we could just hold for
them and and uh and it would be like a deposit like I said and you would give it back to them okay trusty Gavin oh no I'm sorry trusty Doyle no Bradley and then Doyle um um I you know I um I'm sitting
here I'm listening taking everything in um I I when I was in school we didn't have drivers at unfortunately because um by that time um we had Cirus and now Sirus as the old folks say serus and robot they're they're not around anymore
but that was one of the um one of the last things my stepfather paid for was driver Z for me before he um transitioned actually he transitioned on the first night of driver Zed so that's kind of how stuck in my memory but um I I am an agreeance with the students
having to pay something um and I I think a deposit would be fine you know because in that way you it's putting that money to the side you go through the program you finish you got you have the necessary money coming back to you so you can go take your test get your
license and all that um and then I know this is something for bent Harbor um students but I'm going out the limb here if we have students in surrounding areas could we look into they necessarily having them pay for it but using
utilizing our program as well for driver's a but they would have to pay a fee I'm just going out the limb there something think about better be something the board would have to vote on just for the record my vote will be absolutely not um but that's just my take on it but
I will be open to marinating more on your thoughts not to shut it down Okay um and then we're gonna go to trusty Doyle um for me I like to piggyback on um you speak a little bit ligh Lou the heater kind of rambling on this end for
me I like to piggyback on um secretary triplet I think it should be free I am one of those parents that have a 17y old who's ready to take Driver's a but I cannot afford to pay for those classes and I think
that that may case for a lot of our parents and I'm one of those so I would like for it to be free um I do like the idea of doing that deposit so you'll be able to pay for the test and the license at the end but I think it should be
free okay and then I think we've heard from everybody um Dr bus before we proceed in the agenda we're going to take this vote with everything I just want to clarify being that the contract currently is 400 said the staff will for it say up to 100 or should it say up to 200 if we're voting on the current
contract should it be 100 I would say Let IT stand at 200 so I can make sure that I spend those ex three funds I'm not in I'm not in favor giving nobody their money back once they giving it to us okay so so as it stands we're going to proceed with our agenda because we're going to be taking this
vote um later but um most of what we've done most of our board business were things that required much discussion um and then the Strategic plan updates and things of that nature and the presentation all of those things all of those things required major discussion it's 8:10 so we're going to whip through
um the rest of our reports so um I'm going to assist Dr buts in Reading those because he's he's struggling for air and everything everyone else is not close enough to hear him but I can and I'm just trying to get out of here quick enough not to catch whatever he has I
got a little nervous my throat is itching so I am going to um present these staff report s for him one quick second okay so staff report F1 subject
monthly Financial reports dated February 11 2025 reason for board consideration a set of financial reports is provided to the Board of Education each month facts and Analysis this evening it is recommended that the December 2024 payments be approve all of the district's funds policy reference 6470
payment of claims strategic plan goals reference facilities and operations Benton Harbor area schools will develop Implement and evaluate a fiscally responsible plan that will ensure physical and psychological safety recommended action at the Board of Education approved the December 1st through December 31st 2024 payments for
the following funds general fund 2,318 18070 C Food Service fund 97,2 182 sinking fund 2017 sinking fund $ 587,589 Student Activity fund
2998 for a total of 3,994 4424 approved for presentation to the Board of Education by Dr Kelvin buts today on February 11th 2025 proceeding to staff report F2
pertaining to the budget amendment staff report F2 subject 2024 2025 general fund budget revision date February 11 2025 reason for board consideration the general fund budget has been revised to reflect
updated revenue and expenditure estimates for the 2024 2025 fiscal year facts and Analysis a midyear revision of the general fund budget has been prepared this revision includes the updated Revenue projections updated Staffing cost and updated Grant data
another budget revision will be presented by the board approval in June as of 2024 2025 fiscal year near in nears its end depending on the magnitude of Revenue and or expenditure changes during the next two to three months there may also be a spring budget
revision but that is tenative at this time policy reference 6231 budget implementation strategic plan goal reference facilities operations Ben Harbor area schools will develop Implement and evaluate a fiscally responsible plan that will ensure physical and psychologic iCal safety the
recommended action is that the Ben Harbor Area Schools Board of Education votes to approve as presented the 2024 2025 general fund budget revision approved for presentation to the Board of Education by Dr Kelvin busz February 11
2025 and then our next um board report is concerning teaching and learning we did receive our Ben Harbor area schools annual um HBCU black college tour um presentation last week and um the five
members that were present at that particular time did get an opportunity to ask questions so I will proceed with reading that staff report as well and I did request that the board send any questions in advance to Dr buy
indicated he did not receive any um teaching and learning staff report number T1 subject request for out ofate overnight field trip for students at Ben Harbor High School dated February 11 2025 reason for board approval the board shall approve field trips and other
District sponsor trips that are planned to keep students out of the district overnight or longer and or out of state facts and Analysis Ben Harbor High School request to take high school students grades 10 through 12 on a college tour the tour will allow students to visit HBCU historically
black colleges and universities colleges and universities in North Carolina students will also experience college life and acquaint themselves with curriculum information entrance requirements and financial aid resources the trip is scheduled for April 11th through the 17th 2025 this trip will
accommodate up to 40 students it is estimated that there will be four chaperons this field trip will be Title One granted and student funded policy reference policy 2340 field and other District sponsor trips strategic plan goal reference academics B Harbor area
schools will increase student achievement as measure on local state and National assessments learning environment Ben Harbor area schools will develop Main maintain and Implement with Fidelity a multi-tier system of support that enhances the culture and learning environment the recommended action for today is that the Ben Harbor area
school's Board of Education vote to approve the HBCU field trip as presented approved for presentation to the Board of Education by Dr Kelvin buts on February 11th 2025 and then the last um field trip CTE
field trip to Notre Dame which is Staff report T2 subject field trip to University of Notre Dame dated for today February 11 2025 reason for board approval the board shall approve field trips and other District sponsor trips which are planned to keep
students out of the district overnight or longer or out of state facts and Analysis the B Harbor High School CTE program is requesting permission to take several high school students to Notre Dame University for Building Trades date on March 7 2025 during this event students will
engage directly with industry professional through Hands-On activities career discussions and interactive demonstrations the students will have the opportunity to learn about various skill trades explore apprenticeships and training programs and gain insight into work for expectations from experts in
the field the objective of this trip is to provide students with real world exposure to construction and skill trades careers allowing them to build professional connections and explore postsecondary opportunities the source of funds for this trip will come out of the CTE
building purchase services fun policy reference 2340 field and other District sponsor trips strategic plan reference learning environment Ben Harbor area schools will develop maintain and Implement with Fidelity a multi-or system of support that enhances the culture and learning
environment um recommending action that the B Harbor Area Schools Board of Education votes to approve the field trip to the University of Notre Dame for CTU students as presented this is approved for presentation to the Board of Education by Dr bu now Dr bus this is new or am I mistaken I don't believe
that this was presented to us in our in our meeting last week this was not okay so don't we normally have some additional corresponding information um it says several but we have no idea how many several are and are these students staying
overnight or is this a turnaround it's a turnaround it's dur it's a day trip but if you want to defer it because it's in March we can defer can we defer we can defer okay does anyone have any anyone have any um objection to that to tabling
T2 or not including it in the consent agenda or do you all want to just let it roll and rock with it I should let it roll we can let it roll I have no objections a quick question you have the floor so I thought when we did the consent agreement that meant that we
didn't have to like well I'm just reading through because this is the thing this board has never allowed us to do one consent and what I do not want to happen is to get home and someone say I tricked them on something that was voted on what we're voting on and especially
being that T2 was something we didn't discuss I know how my board members are I'm just making sure that everyone knows and understands clearly what they're voting yes to they voted for a consent I know but so we're not gonna I'm not breaking it apart I'm just making it
clear where everything is being included in this one vote because now now don't act like I don't know how y'all are so I just don't want no any confusion and somebody sending me an email saying they don't remember taking a vote on that I'm just making it clear
what all is being included in this one round of votes for these six or seven staff reports at one time it makes me a little nervous secretary triplet this is the uh thing Madame President that concerns me and I've said it over and
over and over again for this report to be on this agenda but this report being on this agenda and us not knowing and I'm grateful that you did go through and read them you know but this these are the kinds of things
in order for you to do a committee I'm just GNA read one more and we gonna take votes so I just need one minute if he can pause for one minute go ahead secretary triplet Dr bu is feeling ill so I'm just trying to get us through yeah of a committee of the whole it has
to be a well or machine we cannot do this and I'm going to call it out and say it every time this is important it's very important Madame President and please y'all I don't want
we can't take it lightly this is our responsibility as for us taking care of business and now we you know we ready we we've already discussed everything that we're going to bring to this table most for the most part we were familiar with all of these other with all of these
things and now we got this so thank you so very very much but I do want that on the record this cannot happen if we go into Committee of the whole this stuff that come before this board must be previously discussed if
not it cannot come without this board knowing I don't care how press pressed it is how Illy repair repared uh Center was uh in in getting this information to us please pay close attention thank you madam president
you're very welcome and then I'll read one last and then we'll let Dr bus go so we can take this vote um staff report H1 employment of Staff dated for today February 11 submitting for board consideration to approve the employment of Staff in accordance with rev School clo and other general laws of Michigan
facts and Analysis under Section 1120 of Title One Part A requires a participating local Ed educational agency to provide eligible children attending private elementary and secondary schools their teachers and their families with Title One services or other benefits that are Equitable to those provided to eligible public school
children their teachers and their families policy reference 2261 Title One Services 3120 and 4120 employment of professional staff support staff strategic plan go reference Personnel leadership the Ben Harvey a schools will recruit hire develop and retain the best
staff to improve student outcomes new hire submitted today Kayla Graham pair professional at River of Life School Title One effective date 212 2 recommended action at the Ben harbard Area Schools Board of Education votes to approve the employment of the aformentioned staff approve for
presentation to the Board of Education by Dr Kelvin buts as of February 11 2025 so at this time I would ask is there a motion to approve staff reports B3 staff report S1 staff report F1 staff report
F2 staff report T1 staff report T2 and staff report H1 in one consent agenda as noted president I supported what you just okay the motion has been made by vice president B is there second or support second the motion has been
made you go home the motion has been made by VP bow and supported by truste Gavin any questions comments or concerns so I'm gonna say this Madam president some of this stuff I do
not think was fully vetted and I have concerns but in democracy sometimes you have to give a little and I'm going to do that I also am disappointed in the presentation that we was I'm G say you
was asleep I mean sick but I think that driver's ed proposal should have been more detailed for us and I have some serious concerns if we're starting something this year and and gon to make sure the grant is ran out
what are we giving the kids next year or the year after we're not playing a Level Playing Field so I will go ahead and support it but that is I want us to look at the bigger
picture all right if there's no other comments um and and I would like to say thank you um vice president bow I I could have tear it up when you said in in the spirit of democracy you will give a little because I think that just your statement in that alone is evident of
how much growth this board of education um has made and taken to be able to stand unified and support each other and also vot although voting in a consent agenda makes me nervous and I know you guys are ready to go I read everything because I want everyone to feel fully
comfortable in taking a consent agenda and so I'm proud of you all and I'm proud of the growth that this board of education has made um and no matter what is said on social media or you know in in public we know that we gr and we know our our district is doing amazing things so at this time we're taking the votes
as noted on the consent agenda for the mer for each of the staff reports that were originally presented again B3 S1 F1 F2 T1 T2 H1 the motion was made by VP B and supported by truste Gavin secretary triplet please call the
vote B1 B1 is not in there B1 we took that as a solo vote and then we took the we did the resolution to protect the Department of Education as a separate vote but we're only doing um B3 through H1 okay roll call yes president Robinson
yes vice president bow yes secetary triplet yes treasure Bradley yes trusty rocket Martin yes trusty Doyle yes trusty Gavin yes Mo
Carri okay okay and just to assist with recordkeeping for masb Board of director direct directors everyone voted yes on B1 and everyone voted yes to the resolutions yes okay and and I only chose to have them stand alone because I
feel like our the person that we put forward for masb is extremely important and I wanted that resolution piece to stand on its own as well um so thank you all for the work Dr buts you can um you can exit now if you'd like um old business as a remind know we have our
board Retreats but we have our new schedule so we'll be following up I did want us to have a finance training um as the topic for the next board retreat believe it was um 307 is what I wanted to do however they do suggest that you I
think it's 307 but they suggest that you have taken 103 as a prerequisite I believe I'm not mistaken six out of seven of the board members have taken that I will not notate for the public which board member hasn't but you know who you are so what I would suggest is
that that person um look into getting getting um amsb 103 taken virtually um to ensure that that you are in alignment with the the recommendations by masb if the board does proceed with taking that
um Financial Training um I have nothing currently for new business um vice president Bradley I mean Ari treasur Bradley treas Bradley it probably gonna come up in um board member announcement comments but we did lose our former uh
Performing Art Center um fa facilities director uh Mr Ryan lius and um he was a very very big part of um Benton Harbor High School in the school district um he kept the PAC running as a fine to machine and he was the Key Club advisor
as well so just wanted to um you know say that out publicly um you know a lot of events that happened at this school at that Pac a lot of us in the district do Mr Lon was back there in that back room all right thank you um if you do do
you know if they've had any funeral arrangements posted on St and mechno right now I think it's next week it's next week next Saturday okay so it's next Saturday okay so if you all if you all could send that to me just send it to the board either one of you um I have
no problem with going and and reading a resolution on our behalf or another board member can um I agree with vice president U I'm not trying to be funny Treasurer Bradley I agree with Treasurer Bradley
um I was actually a member of Key Club and and worked very um closely with him especially for things like fashion shows um we did a lot of community service projects but it also taught us how to handle business of planning events um so
he was an amazing um mentor and teacher um in our district in that capacity as well so thank you for bringing that to our attention um moving right along with the robon president Robinson yes okay so um I I thought we had a facilities
option but just under new business just looking at what's going on tonight I think that it's important for us to do something in regards to fully sanitizing our buildings like we did during covid and going back to uh kind of a safer way
of moving forward there been you know outbreak of all types of things and so just you know wondering if we can kind of reenact certain protocols so that we can make sure that our Discovery enrichment center and all of our schools
are so Dr bus is gonna speak to that um you caught I know that they they did do a early release to do that recently but you can speak to what you're removed it actually thank you yes ma'am last week we did do all bill buildings after we had um it was an outbreak so it's been a
state outbreak last week we only had um we had very few teachers and students to show so we let school out early we kept the custodians here we did all offices and classrooms and if we see the need again
this week we'll um we'll do the same thing thank you and we will um also on Friday evenings until this this outbreak um starts to lower we'll we'll I'm making sure that we do our classrooms
and offices with the um 360 machine 360 machines thank you very much you're welcome all right is there anyone present for open public comment I would ask that you wait until you're at the mic to speak and do you
need me to yes do you need me to read the public comment state do you need me to read the public comment statement are you familiar enough I think I'm familiar okay you have the floor I believe I am how is everybody amazing anyway now you're probably ready
to go uh what I want to say about all this sickness and everything make sure that you wash your hands I know it sounds like what what do you mean wash your hand wash your hand that is how they stopped the plague back in the day
washing it's something just that simple washing your hands I say we break out hand sanitizer I mean we got to be like doing covid tactics here almost in a way because I know somebody at my job had covid so we gotta start you know taking
care of ourselves around here because I'm telling you this disease I don't know for some reason coming stronger for some reason so wash hands and I say um I wrote down This Acronym uh it's a winter acronym pretty good when it CU under freezing make make sure all your clothes
are clean make sure you don't put on too many clothes where you sweat and you overheat dress in layers make sure everything's dry drink a lot of water stay hydrated and for sure for sure wash your hands all the time whether you think you need to or not and that keeps
disease down but everybody stay safe have a good weekend thank you all right so in the absence of our superintendent we're going to proceed with board members announcements and comments Trust Doyle I just like to thank everybody
that came to our meeting tonight and everybody who's online the parents um I like to say I think we just did a great job tonight I can't believe we're getting out of here at this time um great job team keep up the good work
thank you um I would like to say on the record that there's a certain person that's murmuring um threats in my direction I won't say who I don't want to end up on the on the uh virtual shoot sh what is it sharp
shooter show being recorded saying it but you bet you I will put that on the record you better hold your peace with me brother trusty gin it's your God with that
um thank everybody for coming out I think that this board did a phenomenal job um and I'm really excited about what's possible I um definitely want to take you know some time to encourage my
colleagues to and and superintendent buts to just kind of think about what it's like for the parent that does not have the income that some of us are blessed
with I know sometimes we see our kids the sharpest students in the world during pre and we don't realize that there are some students who didn't go they didn't have all of the things that we've seen um and so I just you know
hope that between now and the next time we meet we have just an opportunity to reconsider uh the equity issue in terms of of providing education driver's
education is a life skill um it could even be a CTE course and education is already paid for and so we're getting all of this money almost twice as much to provide the service and
the secretary of state is interested in funding the program moving forward so here we have the money we can provide a learning opportunity that will give our students an opportunity to just take the class I
am for incentives in terms of grades and attendance and things of that nature um to encourage them to take it seriously but I believe they want to drive and they will drive whether they have the
license or not we have an opportunity to make sure that they can drive legal that they can put themselves in a position where they can get a job and that they're not having to compete with other students who have more money than them I think that as a
public school we have an opportunity to move finances as a barrier out of the way and so this is a moral yeah opportunity to do what's right for our kids and give them what many of us got
so that they can actually um be productive citizens and so I just want to encourage our folks to do that um I want to encourage us to to get down in the data and make sure that we are
making sure that what is happening at Discovery Enrichment Center those students learning and being excited about learning that we are elevating their academic um Excellence from deck all the way to the high school and Beyond and so I'm excited about what's
possible when we get in these committees and we um offer the education that we know that our kids deserve thank you thank you up next we have trusty Rock [Music] Martin um you know I also please pull
your mic back so we can hear you in the winter Institute I took like four classes this weekend yeah and one of the classes I took was um uh advocacies uh shaping well shaping
public opinion and one thing they did say was to begin your board meetings and end your board meetings with something positive and so I am thankful for my board for doing that today um I see that this is the way that
it actually should work our work session we got work done our regular board meeting we were able to vote and go right along and do what we were supposed to and that's supposed to be how it works so I appreciate that and the way
that we did handle that I also would like to say that um you know as people bring things to us um look into it see what the motive is behind it and get
facts uh because to believe somebody else report more than to believe our report I mean the information that's given to us from the state of Michigan is a problem so I would encourage everybody to um what you say Mr chck
stay on the wall stay on the wall and keep fighting and we are fighting for our district and don't come down and don't come down and you know what people can say things in the hopes of thinking they're um lifting your District up and
all the time they're really dismantling your District blaming you for doing what they are doing so be careful be careful Be watchful and and bitten Harbor we are tiger strong and we are tigers smart and we
are tigers on the go on the move so with that being said this last little thing H in the Kitchen fairplane East Elementary School February 14 2025 uh they have a valent Day special edition the chef executive chef Mark Hut
he's going to be at their school from 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 working with the children in the kitchen dipping strawberries and chocolate and all those kinds of things so if you get a chance go over and look at it be with them um
and with that being said I give my time back all right Treasurer Bradley um good evening everyone I want to thank everybody for coming out if you're watching thank you for watching um I just want to say sometimes I have a crazy CRA idea thank you vice president B for explaining why my idea was crazy
he broke it down why it was crazy and next time I research before I throw idea out there which idea was it we talk about okay and I didn't mean no harm when I did that idea we G we gonna leave it alone um I want to say to our student
board member or board members stay encouraged um this is how me and vice president Bo got our um start so you know you never know 10 20 years down the road you may be sitting at this table um you know come to the meetings um request
that you get the information that we get you know outside of the stuff that we can't share with you and research you know um I can tell you some of the board members that were on there um and I mean it's a good opportunity and you're going to learn you'll learn how government
works so take it seriously you know um if you have concerns you hear every day in the school District cuz you you're here in the school I you know we're out doing our nine to5 and whatever you know but you're here in the school district you know you see something the students
are complaining about something write it down take it to the superintendent it may be something that he can resolve right then and there but if it's something that's major one of the major issues when I was a student School Board member was our band director retired um and then we didn't have a band director for the first semester of my senior year
and I asked them hey can I sit in on the interview and I interviewed our next band director you know sat in there and listen to end on that and then the other thing was school uniform so we were uniforms back in the day believe it or not um so stay encouraged keep coming
get involved I mean it's it's it's fun and like I said you never know you may say hey oh I'm getting tired of the way things are going you know five years 10 years down the road and you may be over here at this table but then you'll have that foundation and experience and then the other thing I want to say is please
let our um web page designer know Miss booth that she's doing an excellent job I was just playing around on the website looking up some policies the other day and I was like oh okay this looks really good so um I want to end with that and I'm glad
that we all are here and y'all stay encouraged secretary triet thank you madam president I I I too am glad that we are getting into the norming um part of the work here I'm so
very very proud um of that fact um I too with uh trusty Gavin I I I don't know I I don't know with the driver of Education with all of the money through
ERS you know how much has really re gotten down to our children our children um at during the prime time we have many of our students that are driving out here with without license and what have you to go to the prom this is an
opportunity for us to be able to I I I not I don't understand it I don't feel like as as uh trusty Gavin said okay we're blessed we have jobs you know some of us you know do
have jobs and what he have so we can afford it for our kids just because parents make a sacrifice for their kids to go to the prom you don't know what kind of sacrifices they made for those kids to go to the pr people oh yeah look at them they got on ,000 it it doesn't
matter that's that's not our business because sometime people families pull together I remember with my cousins we were it was 17 of us that lived in a house three sisters children and when they were in 12th grade everybody pitched in so that
everybody would look good and so we got an opportunity it just you know it just kind of throws me off that we feel like when we going to teach them how to we we're going to teach them how to show that they're loyal and we're GNA
charge them you know and that I've heard parents say you know I don't come because I don't need them to teach me anything and every time I come somebody standing before me trying to teach me and don't know nothing about what I'm doing a't PID not one bill in this house
making these assumptions that our our kids will not be dedicated and so there are ways and parameters and other ways to to say this is the expectation and where we're not eliminating them we're not canceling their opportunity if they don't have
what it you know the things that that that's necessary for them to be able to be successful then we got the money it's not my money that money exra funds and stuff was given for our kids if we go and look at them but how
many things were just individually done for an individual student seriously so and I do I do with my colleague I I I am so sorry that you that you have uh and someone else has
been called the vice president all night here at this board of education as close as we work together the black summit was absolutely amazing um I I I really enjoyed myself and and and going back to the um
the the driver's education the secretary of state was there and they had a booth that said that's what they're doing and it should be exclusively for our kids our kids cannot go into these other people's schools and do anything but we
are always opening everything for everybody else and nothing is exclusive for our kids and that's how they take our kids so let's be real it's going to be some tough convers ation but I'm ready to have them thank you madam president I want to say in closing that
I love you at our last meeting it was very contentious we were under a lot of stress but I want you to know that I will forever respect you you know and I know that you're going to respect me and when we don't we'll have outbursts like
that and you know you're supposed to say you was supposed to call me back that night but you had three days and you did not thank you vice president Bowens Madam president before I speak I would like to ask me allow Lonnie Walker to speak would you
like a comment sir okay okay we didn't offer him an opportunity okay thank you for putting some respect on my name um I just want to say thank you it was so beautiful to have our kids that was
present at the um Michigan black summit representing bitt Harbor area schools um from the elementary um level they it was just beautiful on the news coverage and thank you um secretary triplet for your help in being our facilitator although
you may feel like that's so flunky um you know and Des it was just Madame President I'm sorry it was um very well received she talked bad to me and to me off and went back to
presenting um so I just at my own show so um I never been disrespected like that um I had to realize I just got read you had to but you had to be there to see it so know in all serious we also lost um a
former colleague a former board member president um a former coach for bitton Harbor area schools Mr leray hary yeah and I'm going to ask if we can take a moment of silence for him and Mr Ron lus
thank you all right awesome so I will just bring us home I would first like to make sure it's fully understood that I do not feel threatened at all that was made um in joking nature um me anything that was said to me was jokingly but I just wanted to lighten the mood in that
moment I also want to clarify that I mean no disrespect to vice president Bowens by um calling um treasur bradle the wrong name it's I'm just so used to saying it collaboratively when
calling him and it's no different than secretary triplet calling for treasur kraton who's no longer on the board it's just a force of habit when um you know with how we're we're used to titles we're used to having in certain names so I mean no disrespect I know who are my
treasur and my vice president is I'm very proud of the board of education for the work that was done tonight um excited about everything that we took vote on but I think the thing that I am most um excited about is the resolution
to protect the Department of Education um the committee of the whole and the driver's education program um because those are new changes um and bold steps that have been made and so
I'm proud of this board for taking um I am for taking this opportunity to um make such strides as a board of education um and I'm proud of the work and the collaboration that is being done at this table I would ask that we continue in that Spirit um through the
year um that we work collaboratively together that we um talk to each other when we differ on certain proposals or ideas and um and we continue to to work collaboratively at the table to try to get the work done and I'm not sure exactly if you just read it um vice
president BR uh uh treasur Bradley if you could read it for me what you're wanting me to say or what you guys are trying to show me because I have both you and Bowen's phones but I can't quite Pro process what you're showing me so go ahead and read it it was for uh oh you got the same information too for Mr lius
uh service is going to be his memorial service going to be next Tuesday February the 18th at starts uh family funeral homes and uh Cremation Services starts in miss meninger Chapel at 2650 n Road St Joseph Michigan um the service
going to begin at 10: am um well the visitation is going to start at 10: am and service will start 81 thank you very much Treasurer Bradley I really appreciate that trusty do had one quick comment just one quick thing I would like to give ourselves a hand CA we did
we did the thing today all right so um I stated you guys are an amazing board I appreciate you tremendously and at this time I will ask for a motion to adjourn Madame secretary Des it doesn't bother me because I know
I I know who I am I in it okay is there a second or support the motion has been made by treasur Bradley and supported by vice president Bowen any questions comments or concerns yes no hearing none
secretary trip King please call the vote secretary robon I mean excuse me been there done that doesn't bother me I've done both president Robinson yes vice president Bowen yes secretary
triplet oh yeah have yes Treasurer Bradley yes trusty rocket Martin yes trusty Doyle yes truste Gavin yes madame
president grome has voted to adjourn this meeting all right so I adjourn this meeting officially at 8:51 PM you all have a great night