Board unanimously approves conditional reinstatement of expelled student, effective Jan. 6

President Robinson said the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a staff recommendation to conditionally reinstate a student expelled following a 150‑day expulsion. The board voted to allow the student to return to district schools effective Jan. 6, 2025, on the condition that the student and parents meet with Principal Morant and sign a behavior contract developed in collaboration with student support services.

The board considered staff report S1/B1, presented as a committee review under policy 5610. The reinstatement committee — which included trustee Rocket Martin, Natalie Singer (administrative assistant and recording secretary), a teacher representative, a parent representative and the district attorney — reviewed the petition and recommended the conditional reinstatement. Trustee Rocket Martin moved to approve the staff recommendation; Treasurer Kraton supported the motion.

Trustee Gavin asked whether the student had been placed at an alternative program previously; staff clarified the student had been permanently expelled and was not at the alternate program ("cap"). Trustee Gavin also asked whether the terms of the behavior contract had already been developed. Principal Morant said the district uses a standard template developed with Support Services and that the contract would be tailored to the student’s needs. "The contract is nothing different — it's a template of what we usually use in collaboration with Support Services," Morant said, and added staff will meet with the parents before the student’s return to determine additional supports.

Secretary Triplet called the roll; the vote was recorded as: President Robinson — yes; Vice President Bowen — yes; Secretary Triplet — yes; Treasurer Kraton — yes; Trustee Rocket Martin — yes; Trustee Gavin — yes. The motion carried and the conditional reinstatement was approved.

The board asked administration to ensure the required parent/principal meeting and the signed behavior contract are completed before the student's return on Jan. 6. The board also discussed, and will place on the January agenda, a directive to require an administrative representative (superintendent or an appropriate central‑office director) to be present or available for future expulsion hearings.