BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DOUGLAS COUNTY

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 59

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025 6:00 P.M.

BENNINGTON DISTRICT BOARD ROOM

 

Posting Information:  Notice published in the Daily Record on 02/07/2025.  Notice of meeting posted on the District website.  Agendas posted at all Bennington Public School buildings three days prior to the meeting date.

 

Attendance Taken at 5:56 PM. Jeremy Dick: Present, Tim Dreessen: Absent, Joe Pick: Present, Kristi Ryan: Present, Steve Shannon: Present, Allyson Slobotski: Present.

 

I.       Call Meeting to Order- Board President Allyson Slobotski called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. noting the meeting is governed by the Open Meetings Act, which is available on the south end of the room.

 

II.     Public Forum- Two members of the public were present to speak.

 

III.   Consent Agenda- (Note: Items on the consent agenda are considered routine and will be enacted under one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items at the meeting unless a Board Member requests an item removed from the agenda for separate action.)

 

Approval of Agenda

Approval of Minutes of the Monday, January 13, 2025 - Regular Meeting

Presentation of February Bills for Approval and Payment

Personnel: Resignation(s) and Hiring of Personnel

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve Consent Agenda as presented, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Steve Shannon. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

February 2025 Personnel Notes: Certified Staff Hire: Kayla Bilau- preschool teacher, Ben Bohn- math teacher at Bennington High School, Vanessa Giesselmann- special education teacher at Pine Creek Elementary, Elisa Evans- .5 World Language (BSMS) and .5 Spanish teacher (BHS), Kari Van Nostrand- English teacher at Bennington High School, Megan Christensen- Assistant Principal at Anchor Pointe. Classified Staff Hire: Felicia Black- paraprofessional at Bennington Middle School, Hollay Ward- paraprofessional at Stratford, Renae Harrington- 6.5-hour cook at Bennington South Middle School, Montana Milner- preschool paraprofessional, Kiley Wichert- paraprofessional at Bennington Middle School. Certified Staff Resignations: Nicole Meyer, Kathy Albin. Classified Staff Resignations: Ryan Sullivan, Shabnam Syed, Amrit Chapagain.

 

V.      Reports- Administrative Reports: Elementary- Danielle Robb, Middle School- Lucas Apfelbeck, High School- Greg Lamberty, Student Services- Dan Bombeck, Operations- Matt Blomenkamp, CIA- Shannon Thoendel, Superintendent- Aaron Plas. Committee Reports: Building/Finance, Curriculum, Policy. Coordinator- None. Spotlight- Therapy Dog - Bailey Rolfe, Terese Jose, Dr. Jennifer Uggen, and Bear. Lobbyist- Julia Plucker.

 

VI.    Unfinished Business

VI.A. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action to Amend the 2025-26 School Calendar- The Board of Education approved the changes to the 2025-26 school calendar as presented by Dr. Plas. The changes were made to align with the changes approved in this year’s calendar. The changes include: Moving the staff “Checkout Day” from May 26th to August 7th, Changing from a full day to an early release day on September 24th, Moving the “Summer Curriculum Day” from May 27-29 to May 1st, Changes May 1st to a staff development day, Changes February 16th to a full day of school.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the 2025-26 school calendar as presented, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Jeremy Dick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VI.B. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on the 2026-27 School Calendar- A draft calendar for 2026-27 was prepared that is similar to our previous school calendars. All staff reports: August 7, First day of school: August 12, Labor Day: September 7, Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 25-27, Winter Break: Dec. 19-Jan. 5 (for students), MLK Day: Jan. 18, President’s Day: Feb. 15 Spring Break: March 29-April 2, Graduation: May 16, Last day of School: May 25, Memorial Day: May 31.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the 2026-27 school calendar as presented, passed with a motion by Kristi Ryan and a second by Joe Pick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.   New Business

VII.A.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Curriculum and Personnel Proposals- The Curriculum Committee met on January 27th to continue the process of determining which curriculum and personnel proposals to recommend for the 2025-26 school year.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to accept the recommendations by the Curriculum Committee for 2025-26 curriculum and personnel proposals #32, Behavior Program Facilitator contract extension, #33, Behavior Program Interventionist contract extension, #5, Part-Time Art Teacher, #15, Foundations of Pre-Algebra, change in structure, and #19, Digital Production, change in course name, as outlined in the January 27, 2025, Curriculum Committee Report and pending 2025-26 budget approval, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Jeremy Dick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.B.  EXECUTIVE SESSION to Discuss Support Staff and Administrative Compensation- The Negotiations Committee met on January 13th to discuss support staff and administrative compensation. The Administration and Negotiations Committee has a recommendation for salary increases for the 2025-26 school year.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to enter closed session at 6:52 P.M., for the purpose of holding a strategy session regarding collective bargaining as an executive session is clearly necessary for the protection of the public interest, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Joe Pick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

The Board returned to Regular Session at 7:10 P.M.

 

VII.C.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Support Staff and Administrative Compensation- During the meeting, the Board went into executive session to discuss and consider compensation for support and administrative staff. After the executive session, the Board unanimously voted to approve the proposed increase. Salaries for support staff will increase by 4.00%, while compensation for administrators will increase by 3.53%.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the 2025-26 salary and benefits proposal for support staff and administrators as presented, passed with a motion by Steve Shannon and a second by Joe Pick. Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VIII. Time and Date of Next Regular Meeting- Regular Meeting: March 10th, 2025 - Regular Board Meeting at 6:00 PM - District Office.

 

IX.    Adjournment- Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 P.M. made by Allyson Slobotski, second by Joe Pick. All in favor.

 

Jodi McCoy- BOE Recording Secretary

 

02/10/25

BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CLAIMS BOARD REPORT

        

Vendor Name     Amount

GENERAL FUND CHECKING

360 COMMUNITY SERVICES     $6,328.71

A UNITED AUTOMATIC  

DOORS & GLASS, INC     $57.30

ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING      $13,453.70

ACCESS SYSTEMS  $588.84

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS  $15.34

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES    $12,030.56

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION   $34.45

APPLE INC   $658.00

ARBOR FAMILY COUNSELING   $5,495.00

ARNOLD MOTOR   $1,016.28

Assmann, Kathryn $59.43

Barada, Landon     $38.36

BAUER BUILT INC $1,251.04

Blevins, Cole         $210.00

Blomenkamp, Matthew    $102.22

Bobolz, Cody         $123.20

Bombeck, Daniel   $108.50

Bottorff, Alexandria        $68.69

Bouaphakeo, Ann $82.04

BOUND TO STAY BOUND BOOKS       $98.93

BOYS TOWN NATIONAL

RESEARCH HOSPITAL     $6,384.07

BOYS TOWN         $19,884.07

BPS NUTRITION SERVICES      $562.93

CDW GOVERNMENT       $541.50

CERRIS SYSTEMS  $33,759.15

Christensen, Jamie         $56.70

Christensen, Jennifer      $18.62

Christian, Jack      $33.60

COLWELL, ARTHUR        $93.00

COMMERCIAL ICE CONTROL    $686.00

CONTROLLED RAIN        $1,880.00

COX BUSINESS     $1,316.16

CUBBY’S, INC        $13,400.14

DAILY RECORD, THE      $374.66

DeHart, Melissa     $50.40

DEMCO, INC         $111.04

DES MOINES STAMP MFG CO   $75.00

DH PACE COMPANY        $2,235.00

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE, INC     $1,326.79

Dirksen, Kenneth   $110.00

EDMENTUM, INC   $12,750.00

Ehlers, Jessica      $38.78

ELECTRICITY, LLC $398.76

Engel, Olivia         $40.45

ESU 3 $25,197.01

Feeney III, James $371.25

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC   $2,368.83

FIRESPRING $13,867.39

FIRST STUDENT, INC     $24,787.69

Fisher, Molly         $11.76

Fitzgerald, Abby    $63.00

FLINN SCIENTIFIC CO.   $120.18

FOLLETT CONTENT       

SOLUTIONS, LLC   $2,803.39

GENERAL FIRE AND SAFETY    $8,311.00

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES, INC  $1,300.00

GOPHER      $600.00

Gutz, Stacy $86.10

HD SUPPLY FORMERLY  

HOME DEPOT PRO         $12,367.42

HY-VEE INC $2,634.34

I3 BANK      $2,013,191.11

INTERSTATE BATTERY  

SYSTEMS OF OMAHA      $157.95

INTERSTATE POWER     

SYSTEMS, INC      $9,236.49

J.W. PEPPER & SON, INC         $609.04

JAYMAR BUSINESS FORMS, INC        $74.64

Johanek, Jay         $56.70

JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL $52.41

Jose, Terese         $184.16

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC  $26,354.00

KELLETT, WADE    $2,000.00

KELLEY PLUCKER, LLC    $7,250.00

Kessell, Christopher        $91.00

Kiger, Emily          $32.90

KNUDSEN OIL & FEED    $405.85

LAKESHORE         

LEARNING MATERIALS   $2,610.60

Lamberty, Gregory         $176.40

LANG DIESEL INC  $189.26

LIBERTY HARDWOODS, INC     $804.40

Loptin, Robbie      $44.10

\MAPLE 85 PREMIUM     

LANDSCAPE MULCH CENTER    $184.50

Martinez, Jose       $13.44

Mattson, Tara       $65.17

METAL DOORS &  

HARDWARE CO.    $1,216.00

METROPOLITAN   

UTILITIES DISTRICT      $18,849.00

Mitchell, Millie       $22.61

NCS PEARSON, INC.       $186.03

NEBRASKA ASSOC. OF   

SCHOOL BOARDS  $8,623.00

NEBRASKA CENTRAL     

EQUIPMENT INC   $1,345.87

NEBRASKA PEDIATRIC   

PRACTICE INC      $2,500.00

NEBRASKA STATE BANDMASTERS     ASSOCIATION                $177.00

NEBRASKA STATE

BANDMASTERS ASSOC   $50.00

NEBRASKA.GOV    $89.00

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CENTERS   

OF NE, P.C.  $241.00

Ohlson, Calena      $15.40

OMAHA SYMPHONY        $335.00

ONE SOURCE        $645.45

OPPD $75,547.00

OVERDRIVE INC   $4,500.00

Penington, Carly    $46.38

PERRY LAW FIRM  $2,106.55

Plas, Aaron $380.80

PLAYAWAY PRODUCTS   $21.94

POPCO INC., DBA 

IDEAL PURE WATER       $15.75

PORT-A-JOHNS INC        $150.00

PRESTO-X    $801.04

PRIME SECURED, INC     $10.00

REALLY GOOD STUFF LLC        $77.93

Reinwald, Alexander       $70.00

Rowley, Pamela    $30.52

RTG BUILDING SERVICES, INC $81,701.58

SCHAEFER ELECTRIC, INC       $610.06

SCHOLASTIC ART 

AWARDS OF NE, THE      $200.00

SECURITY EQUIPMENT, INC    $1,440.00

Sindelar, Kathryn   $121.24

SOLIANT HEALTH, LLC   $4,680.00

Spilker-Kinning, Jessica   $577.88

STERICYCLE, INC  $408.22

SUBURBAN SCHOOLS’   

PROGRAM    $35,748.52

Sund, Kelly $371.25

TALACKO SAFETY SOLUTIONS $2,055.00

Taylor, Janel         $95.25

Thoendel, Shannon        $42.00

Townsend, Jake    $48.65

TRANE US INC      $28,506.18

TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC    $1,030.00

Uchtman, Robert   $57.40

US BANK     $5,529.12

US POSTMASTER  $2,115.68

USIC LOCATING SERVICES, LLC        $378.12

VERIZON     $511.46

VOSS, DOUGLAS   $1,058.40

WEST MUSIC        $19.50

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS $595.00

WM CORPORATE SERVICES,   

INC    $7,775.10

Wulff, Alyse          $577.88

Young, Norise       $68.25

 

SPECIAL BUILDING FUND - CHECKING        

OLSSON ASSOCIATES     $1,650.00

 

STUDENT FEE FUND   

AGPARTS WORLDWIDE, INC    $547.50

 

UNEMPLOYMENT - SAVINGS       

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF                     LABOR UC FUND   $7,776.15

 

2/21            ZNEZ

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