Benton Harbor Area Schools is a school district in Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States. The public school district serves the city of Benton Harbor and surrounding areas. The school district has one high school, two elementary schools, one early childhood center, one alternative education site, and one middle school.
| Benton Harbor Area Schools | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
870 Colfax Ave,
United StatesBenton Harbor, Michigan 49022 | |
| District information | |
| Grades | Preschool-12 |
| Established | 1870's |
| Superintendent | Dr. Kelvin Butts |
| Schools | 5 |
| Students and staff | |
| Students | 1,200 est |
| Other information | |
| Website | www |
History
editUntil the consolidation done in the mid-1960s certain out-lying areas, such as Fair Plain, had their own independent school districts.
In 2007, the district hired a new superintendent. Carole Schmidt replaced Dr. Paula Dawning. The hiring of Schmidt was notable because she left her job as superintendent of the St. Joseph Public School District. Schmidt is the first white superintendent of the Benton Harbor School District in decades.
As of November, 2011. Benton Harbor Area Schools superintendent is Dr. Leonard Seawood. In an article in the Herald Palladium dated November 23, 2011, "State schools Superintendent Michael Flanagan said in a Nov. 15 letter to Benton Harbor Superintendent Leonard Seawood the [financial]review is needed because of serious concerns about the district's financial viability. Among those concerns are the district's $18 million deficit, its distressed cash flow and the fact it has missed two payments to its employees retirement service and can't come to an agreement with its employees about a contract." Dr. Seawood said that, "Changes, consolidations and cuts have to be made to avoid a state takeover under Public Act 4, the emergency manager law - the same law that governing Benton Harbor's emergency manager."[1]
The school board governs the school district. The board is affiliated with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB).[2] The current president is DaShuna Robinson. Board members are: Vice President Trenton Bowens, Secretary Reinaldo Tripplett, Treasurer Angel Crayton, Trustees Stephanie Rockette-Martin, Elnora Gavin, and Angela Doyle . Board members are elected to four year terms every two years. As of October 2024[update] the next election is scheduled for November 5, 2024.[3]
Superintendents
edit- Renee Williams c. 1992 to 2002[citation needed]
- Dr. Paula R. Dawning 2002-2007[4]
- Dr. Carole Schmidt 2007-2010[5]
- Dr. Leonard Seawood 2010-2015[6]
- Dr. Shelly Walker 2016-2018[7]
- Dr. Robert Herrea 2018-2019 (supervised by state and not local board of education)[8]
- Patricia Robinson Interim 2016; 2018; 2019-2020[9]
- Dr. Andre Townsel 2020-2022[10]
- Dr. Kelvin Butts Interim 2022-23 Permanent 2023-present[11]
Schools
edit- Benton Harbor High School 9th-12th
- C.A.P.E. (Career and Alternative Pathways in Education) Center Virtual Education Center
- Fair Plain Middle School
- MLK Lower Elementary 1st-3rd grade
- Fairplain East Upper Elementary 4th-5th Grade
- Discovery Enrichment Center Early Childhood Center
References
edit- ^ http://heraldpalladium.com/articles/2011/11/23/local_news/7415454.txt[permanent dead link]
- ^ "MASB Home". Default.
- ^ "Benton Harbor Area Schools | Board Members". Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
- ^ "Paula Dawning | Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN". www.saintmarys.edu.
- ^ "BHAS Threatened With State Takeover". bentonspiritnews.com.
- ^ Krug, Jason; Stefanski, Matt; Porter, Joel (January 31, 2018). "Former Benton Harbor superintendent sentenced to jail time for embezzlement". www.wndu.com.
- ^ "Resigning: Two years later, Benton Harbor's superintendent is stepping away". ABC57.
- ^ "Benton Harbor school district is under new leadership as Dr. Robert Herrera takes over". ABC57.
- ^ Writer, TONY WITTKOWSKI HP Staff (October 7, 2024). "Robinson named interim superintendent". The Herald Palladium.
- ^ "Administration - Calvert County Public School District". www.calvertnet.k12.md.us.
- ^ "Benton Harbor Area Schools Finalizes Superintendent's Contract". www.bhas.org.
External links
edit42°06′22.8″N 86°26′44.3″W / 42.106333°N 86.445639°W
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