BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DOUGLAS COUNTY

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 59

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2026 6:00 PM

BENNINGTON DISTRICT BOARD ROOM

 

Posting Information: Notice published in the Daily Record on 01/09/2026.  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 6:05 PM. Jeremy Dick: Present, Tim Dreessen: Present, Kara Neuverth: Present, Joe Pick: Present, Steve Shannon: Present, Allyson Slobotski: Present.

 

I. Call Meeting to Order- Superintendent Plas called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. noting the meeting was governed by the Open Meetings Act and a copy of the Act was located at the back of the room.

 

I.A. Oath of Office for All Members- Members of the Board of Education took the Oath of Office.

 

I.B. Board Reorganization/Election of Officers

PRESIDENT: Tim Dreessen nominated Allyson Slobotski for Board President, Joe Pick motioned to cease nominations.  All in favor.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

VICE PRESIDENT: Jeremy Dick nominated Tim Dreessen for Vice President.  Steve Shannon motioned to cease nominations.  All in favor.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

TREASURER: Tim Dreessen nominated Jeremy Dick for Treasurer.  Kara Neuverth motioned to cease nominations.  All in favor.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

SECRETARY: Kara Neuverth nominated Steve Shannon for Secretary.  Tim Dreessen motioned to cease nominations.  All in favor.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

Jodi McCoy will remain as appointed Recording Secretary.

 

I.C. Approve Slate of Officers

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the 2026 slate of officers as presented, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Tim Dreessen.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

I.D. Approve Practice and Procedures

a. Approval of Current Board Policies, Regulations, and Handbooks (Policy 203.01)

b. Depository for School District No. 59 Funds – i3 Bank (Policy 704.01)

c. Newspapers of Record: The Daily Record, Omaha World-Herald, Douglas-Sarpy County Post-Gazette

d. Review of Media Relations Policy (Policy 1004.01)

e. Review Board Member Code of Ethics (Policy 202.01)

f. Dissemination of Conflict-of-Interest Statements to Board Members (Policy 202.02)

g. Designate Superintendent as Authorized Representative for Bennington Public School for All ESU, State, and Federal Programs

h. Approve Matt Blomenkamp as Non-Discrimination Compliance Coordinator (Policy 203.01)

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the 2026 school board practices and procedures as listed and presented, passed with a motion by Kara Neuverth and a second by Steve Shannon.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

I.E. Appoint 2026 Committee Members (Policy 203.06)- Policy 203.06 states the President of the Board of Education appoints members to the standing committees of the district. There was no motion on this item. Discussion only.  Building/Finance Committee- Allyson Slobotski, Tim Dreessen, Jeremy Dick, Curriculum Committee/Committee on American Civics- Joe Pick, Steve Shannon, Kristi Ryan, Policy Committee- Allyson Slobotski, Steve Shannon, Jeremy Dick, Bennington Public Schools Foundation Liaison- Joe Pick.

 

II. Public Forum- No one from the public was 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, December 8, 2025 - Regular Meeting, Presentation of January Bills for Approval and Payment, Personnel: Resignation(s) and Hiring of Personnel.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Jeremy Dick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

January 2026 Personnel Notes:  Certified Staff Hire: Amy Mattern- speech language pathologist at Bennington Schools, Grace Tetschner- science teacher at Bennington High School, Lyndsay Rahlfs- 1st grade teacher at Heritage Elementary, Sadie Schriver- English teacher at Bennington High School, Brady Timm- social studies teacher at Bennington High School. Classified Staff Hire: Garrison Gebhardt- paraprofessional at Bennington High School, Annie Tews- paraprofessional at Heritage Elementary, Victoria Goodburn- paraprofessional at Heritage Elementary, Abigail Carr- paraprofessional at Anchor Pointe Elementary, Felicia Black- paraprofessional at Bennington Middle School, Markeyia Bogard- paraprofessional at Heritage Elementary. Certified Staff Resignations: Connie Burgers- math teacher at Bennington High School, David Ehrke- social studies teacher at Bennington High School, Danielle Robb- principal at Bennington Elementary, Erica Nightengale- teacher at Heritage Elementary School. Classified Staff Resignations: David Burgers- bus driver, Elana Tristan- paraprofessional, Taylor Willis- paraprofessional, Cole Rininger- paraprofessional.

 

IV. Items Removed From the Consent Agenda for Separate Action- No items were removed from the Consent Agenda.

 

V. Reports- Elementary - Katie Woodrich, Middle School - Renee Rucker, High School - Greg Lamberty, Student Services - Dan Bombeck, CIA - Shannon Thoendel, Operations - Matt Blomenkamp, Superintendent - Aaron Plas. Committee Reports: Building/Finance, Curriculum Policy. Coordinator - Transportation/Facilities - Jeremy Edens, Spotlight - Safety/Security - Matt Blomenkamp.  Lobbyist – None.

 

VI. Unfinished Business- None.

 

VII. New Business

VII.A. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Curriculum and Personnel Proposals- The Curriculum Committee met on December 8th to continue the process of determining which curriculum and personnel proposals to recommend for the 2026-27 school year.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to accept the recommendations by the Curriculum Committee for 2026-27 curriculum and personnel proposal #12 as outlined in the December 8, 2025, Curriculum Committee Report and pending 2026-27 budget approval, passed with a motion by Steve Shannon and a second by Joe Pick.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

VII.B. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Bid Contracts for the Second High School Project- On November 20, 2025, 59 bid scopes were received spanning large amount of the project.  Twenty were up for approval.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to award the bid contracts as presented for the second high school project, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Tim Dreessen.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

VII.C. Review for the 2027-28 School Calendar- For the past several years the Board of Education has made it a practice of adopting calendars two years ahead of the school year. This gives the district an opportunity to schedule activities around parent-teacher conferences, work out any issues, and provides parents with opportunities to schedule family vacations.  There was no motion on this item.  Discussion only.

 

VII.D. Discuss District Cash Flow Report- Michael Thies has prepared a cash flow projection for the 2025-2026 school year to help inform the BOE of our current reserves within each fund.  There was no motion on this item.  Discussion only.

 

VII.E. Discuss District Housing Report- The district completed the annual housing count for 2025. Each year the district updates the number of homes occupied, under construction, and platted within the district boundaries.  There was no motion on this item.  Discussion only.

 

VII.F. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Bennington Public Schools Strategic Plan- Over the past several months, we have engaged in a strategic planning process that is culminating in this recommendation for approval of the Bennington Public Schools Strategic Plan. This plan reflects a thoughtful, thorough, and forward-focused process designed to guide the district’s long-term direction, priorities, and decision-making.  Stakeholder input has been gathered through surveys, focus groups, and discussions involving staff, students, families, community members, and the Board of Education.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the Bennington Public Schools Strategic Plan as presented, with implementation beginning in the 2026-27 school year, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Tim Dreessen.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

VII.G. EXECUTIVE SESSION for Negotiations- The Negotiations Committee met with the Bennington Education Association on January 7th. The Negotiations Committee and BEA worked towards a potential agreement for the 2026-27 school year.

 

MOTION PASSED: I move that we enter closed session at 7:26 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 Tim Dreessen.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

The Board returned to Regular Session at 7:48 p.m.

 

VIII. Time and Date of Next Regular Meeting- Regular Meeting: February 9th, 2026 6:00 PM - District Office.

 

IX. Adjournment- Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 p.m. made by Allyson Slobotski.  All in favor.

 

Jodi McCoy- Board of Education

Recording Secretary

 

01/12/26

BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CLAIMS BOARD REPORT

 

Vendor Name Amount

GENERAL FUND CHECKING

A UNITED AUTOMATIC DOORS 

& GLASS, INC $155.00

ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING $13,459.27

ACCESS SYSTEMS $438.27

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS $115.69

ALL MAKES $261.45

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES $15,362.77

APPLE INC $134,560.00

ARBOR FAMILY COUNSELING $14,916.30

ARNOLD MOTOR SUPPLY $173.92

Assmann, Kathryn $24.29

BADGER BODY $2,423.95

BAUER BUILT INC $1,405.12

BENNINGTON AUTO INC $1,810.92

Biehler, Hallie $24.78

Bohn, Benjamin $402.93

Bombeck, Daniel $119.98

Bottorff, Alexandria $52.43

Bouaphakeo, Ann $65.66

BOUND TO STAY BOUND BOOKS $374.18

BOYS TOWN $12,600.00

CDW GOVERNMENT $200,359.70

CERRIS SYSTEMS $46,661.93

Christensen, Jamie $38.92

Christensen, Jennifer $89.93

Coble-Obermeyer, Kristi $55.65

COMMERCIAL ICE CONTROL $1,401.40

CONTINENTAL CLAY COMPANY $1,106.20

COX BUSINESS $1,322.65

CUBBY’S, INC $9,237.39

CULLIGAN $42.00

Dacy, Brianne $131.96

DAILY RECORD, THE $353.33

DeHart, Melissa $81.90

DESIGN SCIENCE, INC $1,020.00

DH PACE COMPANY $1,571.75

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE, INC $1,724.86

DR. VINYL SERVICE CENTER, LLC $150.00

ELECTRICITY, LLC $4,918.71

ELECTRONIC SOUND INC $65.00

Engel, Olivia $20.23

ESU 2 $9,378.33

ESU 3 $22,721.91

Fangmeier, Kelli $585.38

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC $2,190.59

FIRST STUDENT, INC $54,243.09

FIRST WIRELESS INC $3,890.18

Fitzgerald, Abby $73.85

FOLLETT

CONTENT SOLUTIONS, LLC $1,498.96

FOSTER’S SHARPENING SERVICE $199.00

Garton, Jill $390.06

GARY CLEMMER $270.00

GUMDROP BOOKS $1,112.18

HARLOW’S SCHOOL 

BUS SERVICE, INC. $9,869.80

HD SUPPLY, INC. $11,299.48

HEARTLAND TIRES & TREADS $3,967.26

HILAND DAIRY, INC. $42.76

Hoff, Nicholas $385.51

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

PUBLISHING CO. $1,181.84

HY-VEE INC $134.88

I3 BANK $80.00

Ingram, Zavaire $148.40

INTERSTATE POWER

SYSTEMS, INC $3,602.17

JAYMAR BUSINESS FORMS, INC $700.56

Johanek, Jay $98.00

JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL $941.66

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD $1,777.44

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC $20,648.25

Kramer, Brittany $644.04

Lamberty, Gregory $88.20

LANG DIESEL INC $761.41

LEXIA VOYAGER SOPRIS INC. $322.00

Loptin, Robbie $125.30

MAX ABILITY  

THERAPY SERVICES $13,485.00

MAXIM

HEALTH CARE SERVICES $2,757.24

METROPOLITAN

UTILITIES DISTRICT $22,779.00

MIDWEST BUS PARTS $207.50

MIDWEST TURF & IRRIGATION $553.93

Mitchell, Kimberly $390.06

NE COUNCIL ON

ECONOMIC EDUCATION $400.00

NEBRASKA COUNCIL OF

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS $555.00

NEBRASKA

PEDIATRIC PRACTICE INC $2,500.00

NEBRASKA.GOV $96.50

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CENTERS

OF NE, P.C. $115.00

Ohlson, Calena $56.00

OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM $1,390.00

ONE CALL CONCEPTS $13.12

ONE SOURCE $510.45

OPPD $75,547.00

OVERDRIVE INC $4,500.00

Palensky, Leah $585.38

Panning, Emily $380.10

PERRY LAW FIRM $1,544.80

PINNACLE GC INC. $3,100.00

Plas, Aaron $214.20

POPCO INC., 

DBA IDEAL PURE WATER $5.00

PORT-A-JOHNS INC $150.00

Powell, Emilie $350.46

PRESTO-X $1,141.51

PRIME SECURED, INC $20,582.34

PRO-ED, INC $760.10

QUALITY BUS & TRUCK PARTS $53.00

RETIREMENT PLAN

CONSULTANTS LLC $400.00

RTG BUILDING SERVICES, INC $81,577.08

SAPP BROS., INC. $4,545.07

SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS OF NE $180.00

Sindelar, Kathryn $38.50

SLP TOOLKIT LLC $360.00

SN CONTRACTING, LLC $24,435.00

SPARQ DATA SOLUTIONS $6,400.00

Spilker-Kinning, Jessica $337.88

SPORTS FACILITY

MAINTENANCE, LLC $975.00

STERICYCLE, INC $444.20

Stuart, Jyntri $472.50

SUMMIT FIRE  

PROTECTION CO. $5,090.00

TEACHER’S DISCOVERY $47.98

TK ELEVATOR CORPORATION $1,658.75

Townsend, Jake $56.00

TRAN, TRINH $60.00

TRANE US INC $6,507.40

TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC $2,292.50

Uchtman, Robert $96.60

Underwood, Sheryl $224.70

US BANK $10,123.26

USIC LOCATING SERVICES, LLC $258.96

VERIZON $374.00

VISITING NURSE 

HEALTH SERVICES $5,445.00

VOSS, DOUGLAS $756.00

WALDINGER

CORPORATION, THE $1,285.57

WASHINGTON COUNTY TREASURER $82.77

WHC NE, LLC DBA ZTRIP $7,875.26

WHITE CASTLE ROOFING $2,394.00

WM

CORPORATE SERVICES, INC $8,578.98

WOODHOUSE $253.72

Wright, Nicole $78.40

WYATT DREW $60.00

Young, Norise $87.43

ZONES OF REGULATION, INC., THE $144.00

 

SPECIAL BUILDING FUND - CHECKING

DLR GROUP $872,672.34

ELLIOTT, MITCHELL $2,596.00

HAUSMANN

CONSTRUCTION, INC $1,294,568.09

OLSSON ASSOCIATES $1,650.00

ROHWER FAMILY

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, THE $42,878.00

SHORT ELLIOTT HENDRICKSON, INC $640.00

TERRACON CONSULTANTS INC $44,427.75

 

STUDENT FEE FUND

AGPARTS WORLDWIDE, INC $1,312.25

 

1/23 ZNEZ

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