I call this meeting to order at 606. Can we please stand for the pledge of allegiance? I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Madame Secretary Singer, can you please call the role in the absence of Secretary Triplet, please? President Robinson,
Vice President Bowen, present. Secretary Triplet, Treasurer Bradley, present. Trustee Rocket Martin, present. Trustee Gavin, present. Trustee Doyle,
present. Vice President, sir, who's present. Thank you, Madam Secretary. We now lead to the part of our agenda of an approval of the agenda. Is there a motion on the floor to approve the agenda? I make a motion to
approve tonight's agenda. Can you talk to the mic trustee? All of them. Yes. Pass agendas. Yes. I make a motion to approve our
Go ahead. Agendas. No, this for the approval of agenda. Approval of the agenda. The knife agenda. Approval of the agenda. And that's fiction. Okay. The motion has been made to approve the agenda by Trusty Rocket. It's been second by
Treasure Bradley. Is there any questions or concerns? It's a question by trust the Doyle. Um I would like to Yes. Um I would like to
move table B5 staff report B5 and move it to our U work session so we can discuss it. So you want to move staff report D5 D2. clarity. Yes, it's trustee Gavin.
I think that's B2. Yeah, B2. B2. Okay. Oh, there no discussion after that. It's Well, okay. and they have to agree to a change their agenda, right? Like
they it's already been approved. Can we go back? We have a discussion about the tableing. Yes. Go ahead, Trusty Gavin. I'm in agreement with Trusty Doyle. Um I've not that I'm not in agreement with
this happening at some point. I would rather it be discussed during work session so that we can get more clarity, more information uh prior to taking a vote on this tonight. This being on the agenda. Thank you, Trustee Gavin. Is there any
additional questions or comments? Trustee Bradley or Trusty Rak I mean Treasure Bradley? Trusty Reette, we can do it later for discussion. I I'm open to discussing it.
Okay. So to table it for discuss it at a later date. Is that the will of the board? If that's what everyone decides, I I can go along with that. Okay. Thank you, Secretary Singer. Sorry. Can you please
call for the vote? President Robinson. Vice President Burn. President, I mean, sorry. Yes. Sorry. Yes. Trustee Martin. Yes. Trusty Davis. Yes.
Trusty Doyle. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. It leads us to our next statement. The B bitten harbor area school board of education norms which I will read. We will treat each other with respect. We will listen to learn. We
will refrain from side conversations. We will use our time wisely starting and ending our meetings on time. We will challenge ideas not people. We will ask questions when in doubt. There will be no surprises at the board table. We will practice the seven norms of
collaboration which are pausing, paraphrasing, posing questions, putting ideas on the table, providing data, paying attention to self and others, and presuming positive intentions. Thank you. The next is public comment on
agenda items. Is there anyone that has any public comment on agenda items or um I I don't know what the agenda items and I don't I believe the agendas are right there at
the table and they are posted on our website and social media pages. Okay. Therefore, being no comment on agenda items, we will move to our next session on the agenda. Approval of
meeting minutes. We will be approving regular session 7825. Special session 717 of 25, session 722 of 25. Is there a motion to approve the meeting minutes from those
three meetings? I make a motion to approve the um meeting minutes for regular session 7825, special session 717, and work session 722. Okay. A motion has been made by Treasurer Bradley to approve those three
meetings um of 7825, 71725, and 722 of 25. Is there a second? Support. And the motion has been made by Treasurer Bradley and second by Trustee Doyle. Is there any questions, comments, or concerns?
Therefore, being none, Secretary Singer, can you please call for the vote? Vice President Bowen, yes. Treasurer Bradley, yes. Trustee Rocket Martin, yes. Trustee Gavin,
yes. Trustee Doyle, yes. Motion carried. Thank you so much. This now leads us to board business and that leads us to close session. The board of education may hold a closed session to consider materials such as
written opinions of council which are exempt from discussion by state or federal statute reference policy 0167.2F. Is there a motion on the floor to go into close session? I make a motion that we go into close session. A motion has been made by
Treasure Bradley to go into close session. Is there a second? Second. And it's been second by Trustee Gavin. Is there any questions or concerns? Therefore, being none, Secretary Singer, can you please call for the vote?
Vice President Bowens, yes. Treasurer Bradley, yes. Trustee Rocket Martin, yes. Trustee Gavin, yes. Trustee Doyle, yes. Motion carried. Okay, for those of you that are in the
audience, we will be going to close session to discuss board m business and hopefully we will be back momentarily. Thank you with the agenda. Up next we have the update on committee assignments as
an attachment table. The committee assignments table. Oh my my bad. I got the wrong note. Okay. As you all are aware um we previously had a conversation about
separating facilities and finance as a committee. I did email the board on September 2nd what the new committee assignments are, but I wanted to ensure that I did the update before the table um before the board as well. Um so the
committee assignments for uh those said committees are facilities and operations will be Secretary Triplet, Vice President Bowens and Trusty Doyle. Finance will be Treasurer Bradley, Trustee Gavin, and Trusty
Rocket Martin. Um, so you all will need to touch base with Dr. Griffin about your current schedules for the split uh committees, and I hope that this is a system that is benefiting to the board of education as well as the district. And I look forward to great things from
each of you. Um, Standard, the treasurer, is the chair of finance. However, um there was some conversation that he wanted to address with his committee about that. So, I'll allow you all to have that conversation when you are able
to meet. Um facilities and operations, you all need to take vote to select. We'll let decide who's going to be your chair. If you all cannot agree upon yourselves who the chair is, then your official chair vote will have to come before the public. Um and you can take it here at the board table. But if
there's no confusion on who your chair is, then just give me that update via email and that would be great. Okay, moving right along. We have the support and endorse the invest in Michigan kids proposal. Um, this is something that has been provided to the board. However, we
do not plan to take action on it at this time. We wanted to pre- message it to you all and I will pass the floor to Trustee Gavin. Um, she's actually the person that brought it to my attention. And it's it's ironic how it happened. We I think we were having a one-on-one and she mentioned this important meeting
that she had coming up and I asked her what it was about and she gave me details and I said, "Send me an invite and I'll attend." And I don't know if she thought I would actually show up, but I did. Um and so I told her that I was in full support of um investing in Michigan kids and that I would be
willing to bring it before the board to see if the board of education would be willing to support this or endorse this movement as a full board of education. And so, Trusty Gavin, I'll give you the floor and you can kind of give them a quick summary of what it is. Um, we'll
allow you all to read the actual resolution in full. Um, and then we plan to have an actual conversation about it at our upcoming work session. Thank you, President Robinson. It was uh really great to have you at that meeting. We as some of us already know
uh Michigan schools public schools are underfunded by $4.5 billion and schools like uh school districts like Ben Harberry schools are feeling the brunt of that and have been feeling the brunt of that and what we found in that
meeting is that a lot of the um student achievement has been the decline in student achievement has been directly correlative uh to the decrease in investment in our children. And so there
is an opportunity for us to look at the uh top 1% earners in Michigan uh who are also paying a lower tax rate than everyday people and retrieving some of those dollars and giving it back to our
kids. And so this is a proposal uh this is a resolution to support um an initiative that would be able to do that. It gives everyday people an opportunity to weigh in moving those dollars into our public schools. It's
really exciting and um I'm asking our board to uh support this resolution. Um, Trusty Doyle has been um a key person in uh working on this and is going to be
reaching out to folks as well to see about leadership. But it would be amazing if our board and even if there are ways that our superintendent can endorse uh this this initiative. And I'll turn it back over to you uh President Robinson. Thank you for this time.
You're welcome. So, there's a lot of language in the resolution, but ultimately um what we are asking you to vote on is the therefore be a resolved I mean it's the full resolution, but what we're asking therefore be a resolve that the Benton Harour Area Schools Board of Education hereby endorses the invest in
Michigan kids proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution to impose a 5% fair share search charge on annual taxable income over 1 million for joint filers and over 500,000 for single filers to raise funds for
career and technical education, reducing class size and attracting and retaining educators in public schools across the state and is subject to an annual audit. So, we'll come back to that um in our work session. I do want to give you all an opportunity to read through your resolution. Um there's also additional
information for your reference at the bottom of the resolution. So, I would like for you all to um actually go into your linked agenda um and look at the data and then we'll have more of a conversation in the work session. So, thank you, Trusty Gavin, for the um invitation and for being a strong
advocate for public education. We'll move right along and Trusty Doyle, who gave her time to be a representative for the city of Bent Harbor as a whole. Um we're going to move right along to the MASB summer institute recap. Um Treasurer Bradley requested um that this
be on the agenda so he can give you all they can give a a recap of what they went over. Um it should be standard. It's actually in our policy that we do share what we've learned um in our sessions. So, we're going to get back to um ensuring that we at least provide
we've always shared powerpoints and things of that nature, but actually having the conversation at the table um so that the community is aware of what we've learned. So, Treasure Bradley, you have the floor. Good evening, everyone. I'm going to try to be very quick. Um so uh me and um
trustee Rocket Martin we both attended the summer institute and lancing and um I had an opportunity I signed up for um the uh board president's workshop um and I' I've done it before when I was on the
board previously and I know um that um MASB uh recommend that all uh board members take either one or both classes. Um Debbie Stair taught session one and session two um was taught by uh Michael Roach. Um he's a former board president
um over I think in school craft area. Um in the session one it covered the um some of the topics that were covered in session one were president and leader of the board uh meeting management meeting room setup working with the board uh legal issues for the board president um
and that was a Brad Bernic um um section and then working with the superintendent. Uh section two covered board turnover, understanding yourself and others and that was uh the disk assessment, community engagement, board first person and dealing with media.
That was um Jesse Stickler and me and Trusty Rocket Martin did get a chance to sign up for that class for the um leadership because there's only 16 room for 16 people in that class and then consensus and conflict. Um some key takeaways from both sessions um is how
we all should identify with the norms um making sure that we uh use our board calendar to guide a lot of our decision making and it also keeps us on track and helps us stay focused. Um, how board presidents and board members can help board members be better. Um, for
example, professional development, being proactive, how the board and superintendent relationship is critical to the success of the district. Um, one board president who was taking the class gave us this takeaway that the board president is to protect the super. Um,
that's our biggest asset. Um, and then taking the eight traits and having discussion around those. Sometimes during our board comment time instead of having comments we have a discussion around those uh giving and showing grace and being prepared for whatifs. Um and
also talked about dealing with the board onboarding and signing mentors and um you know being mindful that that process can take up to a year. Um, we dis also discuss having a prepared list of who we and who we all want to be on the board, you know, as individuals and as a board.
Um, when election time comes around or if a vacancy comes around. Um, and I can remember from when I was first elected back in 2018 and a span of a year. I think there was one death, one two um, resignations. So, it was a lot of
turnover. And so, we were steadily having to fill positions. Um and then so what they one thing they say is we want to look for people who challenge us to think differently than we think. Um and then you know people that can keep us moving in the right direction. Um as uh
I stated before the um you know we know people that want to run or we have an idea they can go to the Michigan Association of School Boards website and get more information. Um, another thing that kind of stuck out to me is um, they were saying once we lose the trust or we
make a decision and it loses the trust, it can take 20 years to get it back in some. So, we have to be mindful of how we operate in that. Um, another thing getting out of the habit of speaking acronyms and a lot of times, you know, sometimes we'll be sitting here and we'll speaking acronyms and everybody's
like, "What?" And sometimes even board members. So they said, you know, possibly working with the um central admin team and so we can just have a glossery of our terms. Um and then another thing how our behaviors can affect our comm communication and putting our personal feelings to the
side. Um and so a few things um I had included in that were um as you can see the district must knows that was something that and I know trusty rocket Martin sat in on that part of the class with me and that's basically keeping our message and our strategic plan front in
mind and with that and I know we had the discussion last week and um so that's something that we should try to remember and keep it right there um in our heads you know when we're moving that and I want to make sure that everybody body is gets interested in doing the advocacy
certification. Um I know probably uh Trusty Gavin would definitely get that one and Trusty Doyle the advocacy certification checklist. Um community community relations uh data finance um and they have a leadership that's something new they're doing. So if
you're going to the annual leadership conference they're going to have those different classes. And then you have the individual award checklist. Um you have level one, level two, level three. I know we have most of the board has did level one. Um some of us are level three
and some of us are level two. Um and then they do have a award for boards that all get get level one certification. So um as always, if there are any questions, please um let me know. I don't know if Trusty Rocket Martin had anything to add, but that's
that's all I have. Did you have anything additional to add, Trusty Rocket Martin? Did you have anything additional to add to his presentation? All right. Thank you, Treasurer Bradley. Um, and just a reminder to everyone, I did request that
we all attend the annual leadership institute or conference rather um next month. So, I'm not sure if everyone has enrolled or not. Um, no one necessarily said that they couldn't make it just yet, but just
a reminder if you haven't touched base with Miss Singer, um, please do that and at least let us know if you can attend. That way I know if we're going to be able to pull off having all of us there or not. But I really hope I think it would just be amazing um for Benton Harvard area schools to walk through the
conference all as one board so they can see that all of us um take our education and our um our learning as it relates to being great board members extremely seriously and I just want them to see how dynamic of a team we have. So
they've met majority of us but we're not always all together. So I'm looking forward to us being able to do that. So, we're going to move it right along. Up next, we have policy and discipline committee. Our second readings, um, staff report B1. Um, the policies
that we did our first reading for last week were policy 11:30, conflict of interest revised. Policy 3110, conflict of interest revised, policy 4110, conflict of interest revised. Policy 6110, grant funds revised. Policy 611,
internal controls revised. Policy 6112, cash management of grants revised. Policy 6114, cost principal spending federal funds revised. Policy 6325, procurement federal grants funds revised. Policy 6550, travel payment
reimbursement revised. Policy 7310, disposition of surplus property revised. Policy 7450, property inventory revised. Um, and they are connected to staff report B1. Prior to uh me presenting the
staff report, I'll take a moment to ask if anyone had any concerning um concerns regarding the policies noted. All right. If not, we'll go ahead and keep it moving with staff report B1. Um subject new and revised NEOA policies
dated for today, September 9th, 2025. Reason for board consideration for the Benton Harour Area School Board of Education to review the updated Neola policy adoptions is listed below. facts and analysis. Occasionally, due to changes in legislation or as needed, Neiola sends out new and or revised policy to school districts. The central
administration reviews them and notates their suggestions. These are then given to the board for review and approval. The following policies are recommended for revision and addition. Policy 1130, 3110, 4110, 6110, 611, 6112, 6114, 6325,
6550, 7310, and 7450. Policy reference 0131.1 by laws and policy strategic plan reference facilities operations. Ben Harbor area schools will develop, implement, and evaluate a fiscally responsible plan that will ensure
physical and psychological safety. Recommended action at the Ben Harour Area School Board of Education votes to approve the Ben Harour Area Schools revised reissue neiola bylaws and policies as presented and this was approved for presentation to the board of education by Dr. Simone Griffin superintendent. Is there a motion to
approve staff report B1? I so move. Is there a second? The motion was made by Secretary Triplet and supported by Treasurer Bradley. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none. Secretary Triplet. President Robinson. Yes. Vice President Bowens,
yes. Secretary Triplet, yes. Treasurer Bradley, yes. Trustee Rocket Martin, yes. Trustee Gavin, yes. Trustee Doyle, yes. Motion carried.
All right. Awesome. Up next, we're going to move it right along to finance and operations, and we are going to pass the floor to Director Brock Carter. You have the floor.
staff report F1. Thank you. President Robinson tax report F1 subject monthly financial reports. Reason for board consideration. A set of financial reports is provided to the board of education each month. Facts and
analysis. This evening, it is recommended that the July 2025 payments be approved for all districts funds. Policy reference 6470 payment of claim. Strategic plan. Goal reference.
Facility/operations. Benton Harbor area schools will develop, implement, and evaluate a physically responsible plan that will ensure physical and psychological safety. Recommended action that the board of education approve the July 1st through
July 31st, 2025 payments for the following funds. General funds 1,534,620. Food service fund $73,10029. Student activity fund $175 for a total of $1,65
$1,65196. All right. Is there a motion to approve staff report F1? Make a motion to approve staff report F1. Second her support. Second. The motion has been made by Treasure Bradley and supported by Trustee Rocket Martin. Any questions, comments, or concerns?
Hearing none. Secretary Triplet. President Robinson, yes. Vice President Bowens, yes. Secretary Triplet, yes. Treasure Bradley, yes. Trustee Rocket Martin, yes. Trustee Gavin, yes. Trusty Doyle, yes. Motion carried.
All right. Up next, we have human resources uh transfer staff staff report H1. Dr. Griffin, will you be presenting that today? Sure. Okay. Subject. This number is close enough. Transfer
staff uh September 9th, 2025 to approve staff employment in accordance with the revised school code and other general laws of Michigan. It is recommended that the board approve the superintendent's recommendation for the transfer of the following personnel. The policy reference is 3130 4130. assignment and
transfer of professional support staff and the strategic plan goal reference is personnel leadership. Benton Harbor area schools will recruit, hire, develop and retain the best staff to improve student outcomes. Uh the transfer will be Bud Dash current position director of
facilities in central office to IT department manager still in central office. Effective date August 27th, 2025. recommended action that the Ben Harbor Area Schools Board of Education votes to approve the transfer of the aforementioned staff. All right. And before I call for a
motion, I just wanted to my understanding you communicated to me that this was a direct uh request from current director Dash. Correct. Okay. So, I just want to make sure I put that on the floor. I don't want anybody to think that he's been moved from his position. This is him choosing to do
what he loves um and what he feels is his passion and his greatest strength that he would like to bring to Benton Harvard area schools. So at this time I will ask is there a motion to approve staff report H1? Madam President, I make a motion to approve staff report H1.
Is there a second or support? Support. The motion has been made by Vice President Bowens and supported by Secretary Triplet. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Um Madame President, I would like to take this opportunity. I'm glad that you did put that out there on the floor. Um,
one thing for sure, two things for certain, our superintendent has has really um tried to make as many things as transparent as possible and I appreciate that and her leadership, but I do want
to take this opportunity to say to um our former director of facilities, uh, Director Dash, that I appreciate I appreciate him stepping in when we needed him most
he uh when he decided to do that he specifically said I don't know everything there is to know about this because of his loyalty to the district and often times um you know down through
the years through several administrations or what have you he stepped up and did that and in that in that interim in that time he did an amazing job he did the best that he knew how to do so I want to publicly say as the past uh chairman of the facilities
committee. Thank you, bud. And uh we really do appreciate everything that you did for us during a very critical time transition. All right. I agree. Um we appreciate everything that Mr. Dash has provided to
Benton Harbor area schools um during his tenure here. Um if there's no other comments, I'd ask that Secretary Triplet please call the vote. President Robinson, yes. Vice President Bowens, yes. Secretary Triplet, yes.
Treasurer Bradley, yes. Trusty Rocket Martin, yes. Trusty Doyle, yes. Trusty Gavin, yes. Motion carries. All right. Awesome. Next up, we have uh teaching and learning, the Institute for
Multiensory Education staff report T1. You have the floor. And while they're working to get her mic on, I just want to take this time to acknowledge um her efforts. I did have an opportunity to see the post today on
our page. Congratulations to our very own director of academics, Dr. Erica Foster for being accepted into the prestigious school turnaround leaders program at Harvard Harvard Graduate School of Education. Harvard
Harvard. This November, Dr. Foster will join top educational leaders from across the nation to strengthen skills that drive school improvement and student success. We're incredibly proud of her accomplishment and look forward to the knowledge and expertise she will bring back to benefit our Tiger students and
community. So, congratulations. You have the floor. Thank you so much. Um for approval of the ISM, the Institute of Multiensory Education Program submitted on September 9th, 2025. U submitting for board
consideration. The board of education shall approve all textbooks and contracts used as part of the educational program. State of Washington Department of Education threshold facts and analysis. Oh, I'm sorry. Is tech here trying to figure
that out? Okay. Bye. No, it was I'm sorry about that. Facts and analysis. The district has received a quote from the Institute of Multi-ensory Education for professional service and in instructional materials related to
the comprehensive orth organ program. This training is designed to equip staff with evidence-based literacy strategies that aligns with the state requirement and support for the district's strategic goal for improving students academic
outcomes. The accompanying materials will provide teachers with necessary tools to implement these strategies effectively in the classroom. Policy reference is 6320. Purchasing funding source will be 35M grant.
Strategic plan reference academics Ben Harbor Benton Harbor area schools will increase student achievement as measured on local, state, and national assessments. Recommend recommended action is that Ben Harbor Board of
Education approve the ISM invoice for training and materials totaling $66,200. All right. Um, is there a motion to approve staff report T1? Make a motion to approve staff report T1.
Is there a second or support? Second. The motion has been made by Treasurer Bradley and supported by Trustee Gavin. Any questions, comments, or concerns? All right. So, I'll go I have I we got a
couple. Okay. So, I see um we'll go with Gavin first and then we'll move to Bradley and then I have a question as well. I just want to say that I recall and it was many years ago. I recall um an afterchool program uh with Orton Gillingham and it was a strong phonics
influence really helping students who who had challenges um with reading and reading comprehension. Um and I respect uh Dr. Foster's judgment on uh getting the necessary materials. But yeah, my
memory of those material was that they were very helpful when I worked at the King Preparatory School. I'm going to say 1999, somewhere around that time, but I'm sure that they've advanced u in their offering since then.
All right. Thank you, Treasure Bradley. Um I just um had one question because I didn't didn't remember seeing this at the um um at the word session. What um can I get just a brief cliffnotes version of what this um program is for?
So this program um is a tier one early literacy program that's going to be provided for our K through third grade students. Um, and so what we're we are offered another section of this grant um that we can't talk about
now because we don't know if we're approved for it yet, but it is for uh academic uh interventionists um that's going to come in and work uh with our students in small groups. So that is the goal um for this program for our K
through K through three program. All right. uh rack at mine. I remember us being trained Orton Gillingham. Well, all of our teachers were trained and uh by now I know a lot of those people have retired or gone on.
So, um this is nice to know. Also, 35M grant. What grant is that? It is the re is that a misprint? Yeah, rem. Yeah, the 35M grant. That's what it
says. What grant is that? Read innovation grant. Okay. It's 35 M and 35N. Um a grant that we had written what last year in the summer.
Okay. Okay. So my question I want you to know I fully support support this. Um, one thing that I know that you all brought to our attention was the amount that we had invested in curriculum
um that may not have been used within the classroom um to the manner that we wanted it to be. And so my question is as our director, how are we going to ensure that this particular investment that we're making now is not going to
sit in the classroom or not be used accordingly? cuz I know that's something that you were extremely big and adamant about and then here we are with another request. So, I just want to get your feedback as it relates to that. This grant is for this specific program.
However, there will be some accountability in place where there will be walkthroughs and uh documented um weekly logs that the academic um interventionists and principles will have to fill out. Um we will also talk about this program by weekly in our
principal meetings u with the elementary um principles. And so at this time the accountability will be there with documentation and the logs of how often um they're using this program. also with fidelity checks. Those will be done
again like I said weekly and then bi-weekly with principles and then monthly with the interventionist. You have the floor. I've also charged Dr. Foster with ensuring that she brings our union uh committee that they have tasked to add
to this program as well. Overall, our goal is to make sure that the union is at the table for all decisions. And so although this was done prior to Dr. Foster and me, we are excited about making sure that our teacher union president and vice president and the
people that they have designated for that committee are involved in how these programs are implemented to ensure that we get a return on our investment and the data does grow. Thank you very much. If there's no other secretary triplet. Yes. So this is
this is for a to grade three. So that'll be the work will be done basically at MLK and dem. So those two facilities. So and it is 31M correct? Mhm.
All right. Thank you. I mean 35 M. Thank you. All right. Secretary Triplet, please call the vote. President Robinson. Yes. Vice President Bowens. Yes. Secretary Triplet. Yes. Trustee I mean Treasurer Bradley?
No. Trustee Rocket Martin? Yes. Trustee Gavin. Yes. Trustee Doyle. Yes. Motion carries. All right. Up next, Dr. Griffin, you have the floor regarding the collective bargaining agreement proposal. Staff report S1.
Uh, I would like to first uh give acknowledgement and affirmation to the members that collaborated with us at the table during the negotiation process. Uh this was my first time and I want to make sure that I acknowledge uh the
people on the staff. Dr. Chris Bernick did a fantastic job bringing me a breast of what was going on and where we were in the process upon me taking my new role as superintendent. So I want to make sure that I acknowledge his efforts to help me transition and learn about
the process. also would like to give uh affirmations and acknowledgement and support and appreciation to Miss Ka Rosen uh with Clark Hill, our attorneys who helped uh us make sure that we were
being mindful of what the impact of the uh CBA would be. And then of course I want to give affirmation and acknowledgement to our uh board bitten harbor uh education association and their leadership miss Brenda Terrell and
Miss Sylvia Wilson uh president and vice president accordingly upon my arrival and we started to get into the sessions they were very clear about being student centered and so we had an opportunity to go through the process uh very amicably
and they were given the floor to voice their concern. concerns and rationale for why they chose what they chose. Conversely, we were able to do the same and I'm very excited to share that we have reached a tentative agreement uh with them and I want to say uh I really
really appreciate all that they did at the table to share their experiences of what had happened and transpired prior to my arrival. And so I have shared with them uh there in the uh negotiations and I will publicly say that going forward
it is my endeavor and my commitment and promise to them that they will be at the table as much as often as possible as so we can respect them in the process of how we educate uh our children here in Ben Harbor educa uh area schools. So I
want to publicly thank them. I also want to yield the floor to them. If they want to come up and make a comment about the process, they're welcome to do so. I've invited them tonight to share in the celebration for the agreement being reached.
Please welcome Miss Terrell, our president, and Miss Wilson, our vice president. Wow. Okay. So, and welcome to the other members of the union. We're excited to see you here
tonight. That director of facilities. That's right. Yes, sir. Okay. Okay. We would um you know what? We we did a lot of work with uh Carara u the attorney,
learned a lot from each other. We worked hard. We saw some areas that we needed to clean up and they agreed and we agreed together. It was good work. It was good work. I'm looking forward to doing this again after three more years. Well, some there'll probably be somebody else by
then. But anyway, we had we had a good negotiating time. We learned a lot from each other and we appreciate the time that we spent together and we're looking forward to moving our kids forward because this is all about our kids because we have to
prepare our kids for the real world. And I'm serious about that. We are all serious about that. And when we say something, we're not complaining. We are saying what we need to say to help our kids move forward. And we are serious about this process because God is holding us accountable for what happens
to our kids. I just want to thank Dr. Griffin and the board. I want to thank Dr. Griffin, the whole board, and everybody who had hands into it. Just keep us in your prayers, and we're here to do the work. What's your title?
I'm obsessed with you. Thank you very much. Uh, would you like to speak at this time? I would like to uh welcome I want to say Cara. I want to I'm saying it the wrong way. Hara to uh the podium as well so she can have an opportunity
to speak to the experience and thank you again for your participation in this process. I want to thank the board. I want to thank Dr. Bernick for director of special education stepping to a bargaining table and collective
bargaining. That is a first. That is a first. Dr. Griffin, I want to thank you and of course to the BEA uh BHEA local leadership. Um I always say when I get to the bargaining table that I'm here to
represent the district and the board obviously and to help the parties reach an agreement, but after a TA is reached, I walk away. You don't see me again. Well, if you do see me, it's not going to be a good thing, right? But the the people at the table live the agreement
every single day, right? you continue to live it for the next three years. So, I'm glad we were able to reach your agreement and I thank the board for letting me be a part of the process. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right, Dr. Griffin, you can present staff report S1.
Oh, no. She did. I'm sorry. I was just looking for it on the side. All right, glasses. Staff report HS1 subject collective bargaining agreement between Benton Harbor Educational
Association, MEA, NEA, and Benton Harbor Area Schools. Submitted day se September 9th, 2025. Reason for board consideration to ratify the tentative agreement reached on August 28th, 2025 between Benton Harbor Area Association,
MEA and NEA and Benton Harour Area Schools and approved the 2025 2028 collective bargaining agreement. Fact and analysis. The CBA has been negotiated within the parameters provided by the board. Major highlights three-year contract through June 30th,
2028. Eligible employees will advance one step each year of the contract. Salary schedules will increase 3% each year of the contract. Extra pay amount increases from 37.50 to $40 per hour. A
185day contract for the 2020 2526 year. By law reference, bylaw 0122, board powers recommended action that the Benon Harbor Area Schools Board of Education votes to ratify the tentative agreement between the Ben Harbor Education
Association, MEA, NEA, and the Ben Harbor Area School District as presented and approved the 2025 to 2028 collective bargaining agreement. Is there a motion to approve staff report S1? I so move. All right. The motion has been made by
Secretary Triplet and supported by Vice President Bowens. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Madame President, um to our superintendent, thank you
for stepping in and stepping in with integrity. To Dr. Bernick, I'd like to thank you as well. for all your work. I think we we we've
made a great choice um when we selected you to be our interim superintendent um to help lead and hold the district together in the absence of our superintendent and the way in which you have worked alongside her and with um
respect, deference, and humility. So, we really do appreciate that. to our teachers, y'all are my people. They say that's my people. Um, you know, 27 years I taught
and I know I I hear you. I've heard you and I'm so glad that you all knew and that you all had enough love for this district, a depth
of knowledge as it related to our finances and you did not allow that foolishness to go forth. I am so sorry that you all had to endure
people falsely representing you all at that table. And that's very important that this community know that that actually happened and what was presented to us and to our new
superintendent who immediately saw the red flag and Dr. Bernie and to our esteemed attorney, Rosen. I just appreciate it. It It's good. It's good that we have a bargaining union. We have
an education association that loves Benton Harbor. And you guys have stood with us through the test of time. And so I feel very honored to give my 101% support to you
all. I heard you every time when you turned your heads, when you dropped your heads, when you winked. I know y'all faces. I know y'all noses were turned up. I know y'all was That's not true. That's not right. Still trying to get respect.
They lying. Yeah. Yeah. Let me get some. They lying. We be like they are lying. No, we were not there. No, we heard you. But I I I hope that you all feel comfortable with our
decision and our selection of our superintendent that you know you guys might not always agree, but at least we know that we have integrity here um leading this work and it's good for us to be able to sit back because we do have our own jobs and we don't have to work as hard anymore.
Thank you. All right. If there's no other questions, uh, Secretary Triplet, please call the vote for staff report S1. President Robinson, yes. Vice President Bowens, yes. Secretary Triplet, yes.
Treasurer Bradley, yes. Trusty Rocket Martin, yes. Trustee Gavin, yes. Trusty Doyle, yes. Madame President, we have an agreement with the Ben Harvard Education Association.
Thank you. multi-ar. All right. Awesome. Up next, we have um item B, which is the 2526 Benton Harour Area Schools District School calendar. This calendar was con uh we were waiting for the CBA. Um and so we did have to
post I think one or two months or something just to for parents a draft of it so parents will have an idea of things. But at this particular time, we have an official calendar. Um, and so, Dr. Griffin, you can present staff report S2. Thank you, Madam President. Before I do,
I want to give kudos again to uh Dr. Bernick uh for helping us with this process because he knew I didn't know what I was doing. And I want to give special kudos to Miss Terrell and Miss Wilson again because they put aside uh
the concerns around the uh agreement during the negotiation process thinking specifically of the families and so we were able to get a draft out sooner rather than later so that we could be considerate of our families preparing for the start of the school year. So they were already ready to come and be
amicable. No, let's get this done. Let's get this out because we got families depending on us. So, I want to make sure I make that compliment public. Thank you so so much for working diligently with Dr. Bernardet to ensure that the dates were right and you guys worked past the time and you could go back and forth and
made sure that all those dates were put in the calendar in a way that we could get it right out to the families and enough time to be considerate of their schedules and their monies to start the school year. So, I want to make sure I made that public uh to uh our community and our board. Uh, so I thank you again
for your hard work, Dr. Bernick, and to the president and vice president. With that being said, I'll read it at this time. Subject 2025 Ben Harour Area Schools District calendar approval submitted September 9th, 2025. Reason for board consideration, seeking
board approval for the 2526 Ben Harbor Area Schools District School Calendar. Fact and analysis. The presented district school calendar has been developed in collaboration with central office administration and the teachers union. The calendar meets the state requirements for 180 days of
instructional time and 1098 or 1,98 instructional hours. It provides professional learning opportunities and collaboration for staff in at least five district-wide professional development days throughout the calendar year. Additionally, opportunities for parents
and teachers to connect and collaborate have been established with two asynchronous days for parent teacher conference days. Policy reference 8210 school calendar strategic plan reference communication. Benton Harbor Area Schools will engage
and inform all stakeholders to maximize district support. Recommended action that the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education votes to approve the 2025 2026 Benton Harbor Area Schools District School calendar as presented. Is there a motion to approve staff
report? Staff report S2. President Robinson. Yes. I would like to make a motion to approve staff report S2 with an amendment to include peace day for June 3rd, the last student day.
Is that primarily when it's done? Yep. Every year. Madame President, you have the floor. Thank you so much for the reminder. Trusty Gavin and I did have a conversation. Above all, we definitely want to make sure that we support peace day. So that was just an error of omission not intentional. So I want to
just make that uh public. We definitely want to still participate in peace day as a school district. So thank you for the reminder Trusty Gavin. Thank you. Okay. So the motion has been made by Trustee Gavin to approve staff report S2 with the slight amendment to the Bitner
Harour Area School District calendar to include peace day on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026. Is there a second? Supported. Second. The motion has been made by Gavin and supported by Doyle. Questions, comments, or concerns? Again, Madame President, I would like to
say I'm I'm I'm I'm just happy that we can trust what's being presented to us. Um, and but I want to say to our esteemed superintendent, there was never a time that you didn't know what you were doing. This is your
first time being the superintendent of Ben Harour Area Schools. And every superintendent has their first time and there will be many many firsts. So it's not that you did not know what you were doing. This was your first time having
the opportunity to do this level of work. So I just want to put that on the record and and we have our confidence that you know what you're doing and we appreciate what you've done. Thank you.
All right. Um, the motion was made by Gavin and supported by Doyle with the noted amendment. Secretary Triplet, can you please call the vote? President Robinson, yes. Vice President Bowen, yes.
Secretary Triplet, yes. Treasure Bradley, yes. Trustee Rocket Martin, yes. Trustee Gavin, yes. Trustee Doyle, yes. Motion carried. All right, so we are near the end. Um,
old business, the only old business that I have is I just want to um notate that I did email you all feedback from uh from TRUN their rates and then um the proposed rates from Clark Hill council
at meetings. So, if you all could please um take a look at that and we are going to have that conversation at our upcoming work session. Just want to make sure everybody is aware that it's in your email. Um, and then for new business, um, we have our leadership
retreat, which I also, um, sent via email. Our dates, so what we're doing today is confirming the date of the retreat. Um, the options were September 27th, which is a Saturday, October 4th, and October 18th, all Saturdays from
8:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. Um, so far I've received one person available on the 27th, and two people available on the 4th. So, I'm hoping that we can come to a consensus as to which date works best um for the majority of the board. So, um
right now we have two available for October 4th. Does that date not work for you? Is there anyone who cannot do um the fourth? Raquel Martin, you're the only one. Is that is that the best date for
everyone else? For me, it is. I was just going to say um that date works for me, but with the 18th, we have to be mindful that the leadership conference is the following weeks. Okay. And Madame President, excuse me, that October the 18th, the 17th is homecoming
for Venton Harbor um high school. So, I'm quite sure there are things that are being planned um with the alumni as well. So we would if we could take that off of the calendar and make sure that we give our undivided attention to homecoming.
Okay. So that was just an option. So if it's not three days is pick a date out of this and it sounds like the majority is uh wanting to go with 104. I'm know that WCAT Martin is not available but it seems that everyone else is available that date. So is this going to be a part of our partnership agreement uh
responsibilities would qualify or are we completed with all we're we're done with that requirement. and I've submitted our records already. Um, so they got the description of each of the trainings with each of you all's signature. I sent that to them when we got done with the fifth training. So
this is just us doing a a retreat with our superintendent and let the record show. I normally have to develop a retreat agenda and work and collaborate with my board. My superintendent has already sent me a maybe three to four page draft
of what this retreat could look like. I I so I'm when I say I'm so grateful um I have to sit down and do my homework and read her suggestions so I can give her uh detailed feedback but this retreat has already been initiated and planning. So I just have to um review it and and
give my feedback and secure a date with you all. Um, so if 104 is a date that works for the majority, like I said, I wish that everyone could make it, but it seems like majority of us are available on 104. Nobody can do the 27th.
Do either the 27th or the fourth, but the if I can go with the fourth, it' be better. Okay. All righty. So, we're going to um proceed with selecting the fourth. Um we will have a facilitator. It is 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Um
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dr. Griffin has it's I told you three to four pages. We got some good work to do. Um so, we will follow up regarding the facilitator and then she was actually wanting a potential different location other than the boardroom. Um so, we're looking into that. Now, of course, because it's a
retreat, it is a public meeting. We would just have to make sure the public notice notes where we are and that there's chairs available for public participation if someone wants to come watch us from 8:00 to 4:00. Um, but we will give you all more details concerning that. Okay, so moving right
along. We're at open public comment. Is there anyone that would like to make a public comment? Okay, you can stand. You can just in reference to this article on the boilers. So, are you wanting to make a meeting?
Uh, no. Okay. All right. All right. Anyone else want would like to make a open public comment? Hearing none, we'll proceed to board member announcements and comments. Trusty Doyle. Greetings. I would just like to thank
everyone who came out. I would like to thank all of the watchers. Um I'm very appreciative for um our teachers and our staff and our superintendent. Um, I would like to um let you all know that I
am a Yes Fresh Start champion. And if you guys are in, if anyone is interested in collecting signatures for Invest in my kids, you can contact me to get your training and your petitions. Um, I'd like to do a special thanks for
the CBA, Dr. Bernick, um, the teachers, our attorneys, and Dr. Griffin. Great job. Great save. Thanks so much for all that you do. And I would like to congratulate our girls volleyball team. We won yesterday. They did a great job.
Um yeah, and that'll be it for me. You guys have a wonderful evening and have one on purpose. All right, up next we have Trusty Gavin. Happy Tuesday. Um, and I mean that this
has been just a just a string of positive board meetings and I'm very grateful. I'm grateful to the teachers um who held the line. I'm grateful to uh Dr. Griffin who said she didn't know
what she's doing but she clearly did uh an amazing phenomenal job and um just grateful to uh Dr. Bernick and grateful to our council for showing that we can be unified. We can come together and we
can agree on something that centers our students. So, I feel really good about that. Um, and I I guess what I'm seeing is like the transparency um that helps to build trust. And um I've been seeing, you know, just
information from what's been going on in the schools. I've been hearing really positive feedback uh from all levels and it feels real good from students to staff and it feels good just walking in here. You know, you can see your
reflection on those floors. Seriously. Um, but I also want to say that we are at a time in which our um, state budget has not been approved yet and there are a lot of things at risk and it's very
important for us to get involved um, and making sure that you reach out to your Congress person, let them know that um, we want to make sure that they don't approve the $2 billion cuts to CTE funding, $50 million cuts to $2 billion
cuts to public education. That includes cuts to CTE funding, public school categor categoricals like mental health, uh special education, um school lunches, early literacy programs. These are very
serious issues. Also, uh multi-billion dollar cuts to Medicaid and behavioral health, SNAP, um your water quality, your air quality. There are so many things. So, I just want to say like really pay attention to that. And if
they don't come to an agreement by October 1, we'd be looking at a state shutdown, which we could lose thousands and thousands of jobs. And so, we have an opportunity to get involved and to make sure that we, you know, contact your Congress and tell them to pass a
quality state budget that centers our students. and we do care about the roads and everything, but we do want those roads to be leading to uh public schools that are open, right? So, I just want to make sure that we're clear on that. Please contact your congressman and let
them know that um they need to be invested in our kids and and our governor as well. Thank you. Thank you, Trusty Raquette Martin. Um good evening to everyone that's here. Um for the teachers contract, I'm happy if
you're happy. uh teachers to play such an important role in our in our education for our kids in this district. And so happy teachers make happy students. Happy students do well in their educational endeavors. And so um
so I'm happy that you got the kind of contract that you wanted to have. Um that means a lot. Also, I'm thankful for those that have worked and those that go out and visit our buildings and, you know, just are visible in our buildings
and are doing the work that needs to be done for our students. All right, thank you. Up next, we have Treasurer Bradley. Good evening and thank you everyone for coming out. Um, I did have an opportunity to attend our first home
football game and it was awesome. Yeah, I did see Trusty Doyle there. Um, our finance director and our superintendent was there and I was hanging out with TMBB and um, yeah uh um, Superintendent Griffith saw me. Um,
I was out there doing rounds with the band. I forgot these are not 2005 knees. I would just say that. And uh I can remember that our 20th reunion uh Secretary Triplet did remind us that uh we maybe have one or two more
reunions and we're going to be sitting in the corner somewhere. So, but I do want to say to my fellow board members, I do um sometimes I may get passionate about some things. I want to apologize if my tone has come off and I don't want to come from a place from
of disrespect. I do apologize for that and I value every board member um even our our um seasoned board members because they have so much wisdom, Secretary Triplet and Trusty Rocket Martin. So please forgive me for that. Um I did have a book I found in my
library, the self-aware leader and um by Dr. John C. Maxwell and I'm working on that and um you know it's just all about growing and um I will say this um another thing I know let's be just let's be careful how we disagree especially around this time of election season
coming up um you know I know at the um summer institute they did say we should endorse quietly um and when we you know are out there you know wanting to during election season you know
represent one uh let's just do it so we can make sure that we stay united in the community no matter who we support or don't support and we want to make sure because it's a small area and if they see us doing that we as board members we represent Ben Harbaria schools if they see us going at each other then it just
doesn't put unity out there so I will want to be mindful that I know everybody's entitled to their opinions and everything and I do respect that but thank you everyone for coming out and you all have a great evening. Thank you. Up next we have Secretary Triplet.
Madame President, enough has been said. Um, I will pass. Thank you. Up next, we have Vice President Bowens. Um, Madame President, this year is an interesting year. I have a nephew that plays varsity, football, and junior
varsity. Um, he's a freshman. I have a cousin that plays volleyball for Bitten Harbor area schools. I have a godson named Lil Trenton that plays basketball, would be playing basketball and track. So, I never thought in a million years I
would be going to all of these games and sticking up to with them and staying tuned. So, I'm pretty excited about that. Um, also congratulations. I think this is the first time in months that we have had a full cabinet. Um, Mr. Bullocks, welcome back. Um, I hear Mace
playing in the background. I'm sorry, Dr. Bulock. Let me put some respect on your name. Um, and I am excited. I want to say to the superintendent, thank you for um the Google classroom.
Um, I like that. I like the videos. You know, she got it. Normally I get, you know, I stay underwear. I got my people that keep me updated and they said the superintendent said no. So, I'm like, I don't know nothing going on. I guess no news is good news. Um, you know, to be
loved by many but hated by few is a blessing I don't take lightly. I know that standing on truth and convictions will always bring support and opposition. But I rather be real, respected than fake and accepted. There's a difference and it's simple. I
don't move on whispers. I move on truth. I don't build wes. I build bridges. And while others play games, I stay consistent. Remember that. and put some respect on my name. Thank you. Okay.
Thank you, Vice President Bowens. I um and the only person left, I'll just say thank you to everyone for your efforts. I appreciate Vice President Bowens for chairing. Um briefly in my absence, excited that we've gotten the uh CBA
approved. I also would like to thank our our teachers um as a whole and our teachers union. I did have an opportunity in recent months to um talk candidly with our union um leads and it was quite
the eye openener. Um and so the first thing the conversation that I had with the superintendent is that you you need to make sure you get the the union on your calendar. They have quite a bit of concerns that maybe not even the board is aware of. So I'm grateful that you all have had an opportunity to collaborate in that manner. I'm excited
for this school year. I'm just excited for the spirit of collaboration um that is within the district and um the board table. Excited to have our superintendent in place as well as her cabinet. And um that is all I have. Thank you all for your support as always. So at this time I'll ask is
there a motion to Madam President? Yes. May I have the floor? Yes. I just watch I didn't give you an opportunity. Oh, it's not on there. You somebody cut you out. Go ahead. Okay. I just realized it's okay. The tarn nation.
It's okay. I just want to remind all our families uh that tomorrow night at 5:30 in the Benton Harbor High School cafeteria will be our superintendent chat and chew. This is your opportunity families to come out so that I can hear your concerns and make sure they're
addressed accordingly. This year, I've had opportunities to talk with a lot of other people during my 90 days as a start for my superintendency, but the most important people I need to hear from are you. So, all my moms, dads, uncles, godparents, grandparents, if you
have a baby in this district, you deserve for me to sit and hear from you. So, please join me tomorrow night at 5:30 in the Ben Harbor High School cafeteria at 5:30 so that we can hear from you and begin to make sure that
your voice is included in what we do as a district. Thank you. All right. I apologize for that. I don't think any of us noticed the oversight until just now. So, but that was an amazing way to close. So, at this time, I'll ask for a motion to adjurnn. I'll make a motion that we adjurnn.
All right. The motion has been made by Treasure Bradley. Secretary Triplet, I'll take you as a support. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Yes, Madame President. Since people are accustomed to me giving comments, I think I'll use this time right now to give my clothing.
I don't want I don't want to dis disappoint my Publix. Why? I'm just kidding. All right, Secretary Tripler, please call the vote. President Robinson, yes.
Vice President Bowens, yes. Secretary Triplet, yes. Treasure Bradley, yes. Trustee Rocket Martin, Trustee Gavin, yes. Trustee Doyle, yes.
Madame President Aquam has voted to adjourn this meeting. All right. So, at this time, the meeting is adjourned as of 8:10 p.m. Thank you. that.