BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DOUGLAS COUNTY

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 59

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025 6:00 PM

BENNINGTON DISTRICT BOARD ROOM

 

Posting Information: Notice published in the Daily Record on 07/11/2025.  Notice of meeting posted on the District website.  Agendas posted at all Bennington Public School buildings three days prior to the meeting date.

 

I.     Call Meeting to Order- Board President Allyson Slobotski called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. noting the meeting is governed by the Open Meetings Act, which is available on the south end of the room.

 

I.A. Oath of Office for New Board Member- Oath of Office for New Board Member (Policy 201.04)- Kara Neuverth recited the oath of office, filling the vacancy of Kristy Ryan.

 

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, June 9, 2025 - Regular Meeting, presentation of July 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 Jeremy Dick.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

July 2025 Personnel Notes: Certified Staff Hire: Alayna Aldridge- elementary music teacher at Pine Creek Elementary.  Classified Staff Hire: Renee Belt- secretary at Bennington North Middle School, Nikki Berry- paraprofessional at Anchor Pointe Elementary, Nanette Fallon- paraprofessional at Anchor Pointe Elementary, Shirley Cameron- part time paraprofessional at Anchor Pointe Elementary, Adrianna Newton- Life Skills paraprofessional at Bennington High School, Dena Wineinger- paraprofessional at Pine Creek Elementary School, Sara Thompson- part time paraprofessional at Anchor Pointe Elementary School, Jennie O’Leary- part time paraprofessional at Anchor Pointe Elementary School.  Certified Staff Resignations: Jackson Cole- elementary music teacher at Pine Creek Elementary. Classified Staff Resignations: Lauren Tresham, Aidan Klabunde, Sarah Moudry, Bryanna Veach, Eli Steffan, Heather Chaney, Megan Fisher, Andrea Keller.

 

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

 

V.    Reports- There were no Administrative, CIA, Operations, Coordinator, Spotlight, or Lobbyist reports this month.  Dr. Plas provided the Board with a Superintendent’s report.

 

VI.  Unfinished Business

 

VI.A. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action to Revise Policies

Policy 604.16 Behavior Intervention and Classroom Management

Policy 604.16R1 NDE Standards for Systems of Supports

Policy 1005.13 Parent Access to Library Materials

Policy 204.07 Meeting Notice

Policy 502.01 Resident Students

Policy 502.02 Nonresident Students Option Enrollment

Policy 504.06 Student Appearance

Policy 504.12 Cell Phones and Other Electronic Communication Devices

Policy 506.01 Student Activity Eligibility

Policy 506.10 Physicals

Policy 717.00 Disposal of Property Under Federal Grants

Policy 718.00 Fiscal Management Internal Controls

Policy 1005.03 Parental Family Involvement

Policy 605.05 Religious Based Exclusion

Policy 402.17 Workplace Privacy

Policy 406.08 Certificated Staff Evaluation

Policy 605.07R1 Procedures for Dual Enrollment

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the revision of all policies as presented, passed with a motion by Tim Dreessen 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. New Business

 

VII.A.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action to Reaffirm the Student Fee Policy- The board held a public hearing to discuss, consider, and receive input on the District’s student fees policy.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to reaffirm Student Fee Policy 504.19, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Steve Shannon.  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 to Reaffirm the Parental Involvement Policy- The board held a public hearing to discuss, consider, and receive input on the Parental Involvement policy.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to reaffirm Parental Involvement Policy 1005.03, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Kara Neuverth.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.C.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Bid Contracts for the Second High School Project- Bennington School District received bids from general contractors for the Bennington Public Schools Second High School Site project. This bid package was for the construction of tennis courts at Bennington High School.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to award the bid contract for tennis courts to Renner Sports Surfaces for $350,140, earthwork/grading to Ashland Road Excavating for $139,199, electrical/lighting to Omaha Electric Service for $122,959, site access control to Hausmann Construction for $43,000, and landscaping to Yano’s Nursery for $6,313 for the second high school project, passed with a motion by Tim Dreessen and a second by Jeremy Dick.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.D.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action to Approve Time Requirements of Mandatory Staff Trainings- During the 2024 legislative session, LB1329 eased some of the statutory staff training requirements. To comply with the language of “a reasonable amount as determined by each board”, and out of an abundance of caution, we are presenting a resolution for the Board of Education to approve with those statutes that now have that language.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the resolution outlining required staff trainings, as presented, during the 2025-2026 school year, as reasonable and appropriate for the District, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Steve Shannon.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.E.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Curriculum and Personnel Proposals- The Curriculum Committee is recommending proposal 13 for approval: Head Girls Wrestling Coach.  This would shift a current boy’s wrestling assistant coach to the Head Girls’ Wrestling Coach position.  Total proposed expenditures- $1,500.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to accept the recommendation by the Curriculum Committee for 2025-26 curriculum and personnel proposals #13 as outlined in the June 9th, 2025, Curriculum Committee Report and pending 2025-26 budget approval, passed with a motion by Tim Dreessen 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.F.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Short and Long-Term Substitute Rates- Each year, the BOE must approve the short- and long-term substitute rates for the upcoming school year. The Building/Finance Committee is recommending that both short and long-term rates increase by $5 and the implementation of a retention bonus for the 2025-26 school year.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the short-term substitute pay at $175.00, long-term substitute pay at $190.00, and substitute retention bonus proposal as presented for the 2025-26 school year, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Kara Neuverth. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.G.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Superintendent Contract- A new Superintendent contract was presented for Board approval. Changes to the contract include a new salary and additional benefits. All other language remains unchanged.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the superintendent contract with Dr. Aaron Plas for the 2025-26 through 2027-28 school year as presented, 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

 

VIII. Time and Date of Next Regular Meeting- August 11th – Regular Meeting at 6:00 PM – Bennington District Office.

 

IX.  Adjournment- Motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:37 PM made by Tim Dreessen, seconded by Jeremy Dick.  All in favor.

 

Jodi McCoy-

Bennington Board of Education

Recording Secretary

 

07/14/25

BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CLAIMS BOARD REPORT

 

Vendor Name     Amount

ACTIVITY FUND

PORTER TRUSTIN CARLSON   

COMPANY    $3,900.00

 

DEPRECIATION

BEDFORD, FREEMAN &  

WORTH PUBLISHERS      $40,510.58

CENGAGE LEARNING INC         $5,752.38

GOODHEART-WILCOX   

COMPANY, INC      $20,207.03

QUAVERED  $70,000.00

STUDIES WEEKLY $136,187.28

TEACHERS’ CURRICULUM       

INSTITUTE LLC     $240,007.20

 

GENERAL FUND - CHECKING

1-800-STRIPER OF OMAHA      $9,190.35

A UNITED AUTOMATIC DOORS &     

GLASS, INC  $883.88

ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING      $13,453.70

ACCESS SYSTEMS $1,271.63

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES    $19,659.64

ARBOR FAMILY COUNSELING   $5,430.00

ARNOLD MOTOR SUPPLY         $232.59

Austin, Marc         $56.70

AWARDS UNLIMITED, INC.      $25.95

BENNINGTON AUTO INC $349.95

BIG BIRGE PLUMBING    $164.00

BLICK ART MATERIALS   $890.95

BOOK SYSTEMS    $10,032.00

Bouaphakeo, Ann $34.30

BOUND TO STAY BOUND BOOKS       $108.43

BOYS TOWN NATIONAL 

RESEARCH HOSPITAL     $7,100.22

BOYS TOWN         $13,500.00

CARROLL    

CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY $1,788.00

CDW GOVERNMENT       $1,715.18

CERRIS SYSTEMS  $27,162.05

Christian, Jack      $44.80

COLLEGEBOARD    $10,530.00

CONTINENTAL CLAY COMPANY         $839.04

CONTROLLED RAIN        $2,146.00

COX BUSINESS     $1,317.31

CUBBY’S, INC        $2,591.16

CULLIGAN   $41.00

CUMMINS SALES AND    

SERVICE      $2,123.62

DAILY RECORD, THE      $24.00

DECKER EQUIPMENT      $148.65

DEMCO, INC         $131.04

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE, INC     $3,362.61

ECHO GROUP, INC         $368.70

EGAN SUPPLY COMPANY $52.32

ELECTRICITY, LLC $756.99

ELKHORN GLASS INC     $1,900.00

ESU 3 $39,727.81

EVANS CUSTOM APPAREL, INC $854.00

EYMAN PLUMBING $6,147.85

Feeney III, James $206.63

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC   $3,619.38

FIRST STUDENT, INC     $28,092.71

FOLLETT CONTENT       

SOLUTIONS, LLC   $9,268.59

GARAGE DOOR SERVICES        $175.00

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES, INC  $1,350.00

GOPHER      $1,244.77

HAPARA, INC        $19,277.63

HAUFF MID AMERICA SPORTS $1,075.00

HD SUPPLY FORMERLY  

HOME DEPOT PRO         $5,063.91

HERITAGE  

WATER SERVICES INC    $1,500.00

HY-VEE INC $832.06

I3 BANK      $80.00

IMAGINE LEARNING LLC $5,918.00

INTERSTATE POWER     

SYSTEMS, INC      $6,665.16

Johanek, Jay         $78.40

JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL $2,649.39

JOSTENS INC        $15.68

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC  $4,488.00

KCAV $6,334.40

KELVIN L.P. $130.75

Kessell, Christopher        $43.40

KIEWIT LUMINARIUM     $640.00

KNUDSEN OIL & FEED    $522.57

KONA ICE    $1,236.00

LAKESHORE LEARNING MATERIALS   $207.84

LANG DIESEL INC $81.30

LEARNING WITHOUT TEARS    $157.20

LEGACY LANDSCAPE &  

SUPPLY INC.         $1,400.00

Loptin, Robbie       $112.70

MACKIN BOOK COMPANY         $679.82

MAKERBOT INDUSTRIES, LLC  $1,632.89

Martinez, Elizabeth         $67.50

Martinez, Jose       $17.85

MATH LEARNING  

CENTER, THE        $21,565.44

MCGRAW HILL LLC         $5,806.14

METAL DOORS & HARDWARE CO.     $325.00

METROPOLITAN UTILITIES     

DISTRICT    $19,059.16

MIDWEST TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS  $267.36

Mitchell, Millie       $30.50

NEBRASKA CENTRAL     

EQUIPMENT INC   $845.39

NEBRASKA COUNCIL OF

SCHOOL AMINISTRATORS       $150.00

NEBRASKA PEDIATRIC   

PRACTICE INC      $2,500.00

NEBRASKA.GOV    $36.50

NEELKANTH HOSPITALITY       $1,832.00

NWEA A DIVISION OF HOUGHTON   

MIFFLIN HARDCOURT     $13,494.00

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CENTERS OF       

NE, P.C.       $390.00

OFFICE DEPOT, INC       $2,865.86

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, THE $345.00

ONE CALL CONCEPTS     $7.77

ONE SOURCE        $280.00

OPPD $75,547.00

PERRY LAW FIRM  $1,461.60

POPCO INC., DBA 

IDEAL PURE WATER       $16.00

PORT-A-JOHNS INC        $150.00

PORTER TRUSTIN CARLSON   

COMPANY    $3,900.00

PRESCOTT HEALD & SON, INC $1,334.10

PRESTO-X   $1,651.85

PRIME SECURED, INC     $2,683.15

PYRAMID SCHOOL PRODUCTS $2,600.85

RAPIDS WHOLESALE     

EQUIPMENT CO.   $74.32

Reinwald, Alexander       $93.10

RENAISSANCE LEARNING         $15,604.80

RTG BUILDING SERVICES, INC $81,377.08

RYDIN         $1,508.00

SCHOOL SPECIALTY LLC $2,027.63

SCREENCASTIFY LLC      $6,895.20

SENSORYEDGE      $365.95

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO $875.79

Sindelar, Kathryn   $45.36

SOFTWARE UNLIMITED, INC.   $16,610.00

SPARKFUN ELECTRONICS        $58.80

STERICYCLE, INC  $411.20

SUMMIT FIRE PROTECTION     $8,086.75

SUNCO        $86.75

SUPERIOR FENCE  $4,823.47

TAESE         $1,800.00

TAYLOR & FRANCIS GROUP, LLC       $389.70

Thoendel, Shannon        $74.20

TK ELEVATOR CORPORATION  $781.97

Tovey, Heather     $371.25

Townsend, Jake    $94.50

TRANE US INC      $1,040.00

TRUCK CENTER COMPANIES    $3,744.73

TURFWERKS         $119.08

TYPING.COM        $6,888.50

US BANK     $9,774.68

VERIZON     $506.78

VISTA HIGHER LEARNING       $9,444.99

WAYNE STATE COLLEGE $65.00

WEST MUSIC        $1,199.99

WESTSIDE COMMUNITY

SCHOOLS    $3,750.00

WHC NE, LLC DBA ZTRIP         $7,513.86

WHITE CASTLE ROOFING        $3,396.00

White, McKenzie    $52.36

WM CORPORATE  

SERVICES, INC     $7,758.41

Wood, Dean         $40.60

Young, Norise       $76.44

 

SPECIAL BUILDING FUND - CHECKING

DLR GROUP $408,822.19

HAUSMANN

CONSTRUCTION, INC     $180,368.54

OLSSON ASSOCIATES     $1,650.00

PUBLIC RISK MANAGEMENT     $229,308.00

 

STUDENT FEE FUND

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES    $224.93

 

7/25            ZNEZ

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BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DOUGLAS COUNTY

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 59

BOARD OF EDUCATION

SPECIAL MEETING

MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025 6:00 PM

BENNINGTON DISTRICT BOARD ROOM

 

Posting Information: Notice published in the Daily Record on 07/11/2025.  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 5:54 PM. Jeremy Dick: Present, Tim Dreessen: Present, Kara Neuverth: Present, Joe Pick: Present, Steve Shannon: Present, Allyson Slobotski: Present.

 

I.     Call Hearing to Order- Board President Allyson Slobotski called the hearing to order at 6:00 p.m. noting the meeting is governed by the Open Meetings Act, which is available on the south end of the room.

 

II.   Review of the amount of money collected from students pursuant to, and the use of waivers provided in, the student fee policies of the District for the 2025-2026 school year- The Bennington Public Schools’ Student Fee Fund had a beginning balance (9-1-24) of $52,472. The Student Fee Fund collected $14,468 in revenue and had $7,861 in expenditures leaving a current balance of $59,079.

 

III. Hold Public Hearing to discuss, consider, and receive input on the Student Fee Policy. The board is required to hold a public hearing to discuss, consider, and receive input on the District’s student fees policy. No members of the public were present to speak.

 

IV.  Hold Public Hearing to discuss, consider, and receive input on the Parental Involvement Policy. The board is required to hold a public hearing to discuss, consider and receive input on Parental Involvement policy.  No member of the public were present to speak.

 

V.    Adjournment- Motion to adjourn at 6:03 p.m. made by Tim Dreessen and a second by Joe Pick.  All in favor.

 

Jodi McCoy-

Board of Education Recording Secretary

 

7/25            ZNEZ

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BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DOUGLAS COUNTY

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 59

BOARD OF EDUCATION

BUDGET RETREAT

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2025 5:00 PM

BENNINGTON DISTRICT BOARD ROOM

 

Posting Information: Notice published in the Daily Record on 07/11/2025.  Notice of meeting posted on the District website.  Agendas posted at all Bennington Public School buildings three days prior to the meeting date.

 

I.     Call Retreat to Order- Board President Allyson Slobotski called the retreat to order at 5:00 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- No members of the public were present to speak.

 

III. Board Retreat to Discuss Budget Items- Dr. Plas provided the Board of Education with an introduction to school finance, reviewed the Building/Finance Committee goals, discussed all assumptions made within the budget projections, provided projected expenses for all accounts, presented projections over a three-year period, and discussed the Building/Finance Committee’s recommendations for revenues and expenditures. The Board of Education then reviewed information associated with the Special Building Fund and Bond Fund. The Board of Education asked questions and provided input on communication, future educational needs, and revenue/expenditure needs. Finally, the Board of Education provided guidance on how to proceed with the 2025-2026 budget.

 

IV.  Time and Date of Next Meeting- August 11, 2025, Regular Meeting 6:00 PM- Bennington District Office.

 

V.    Adjourn- Motion to adjourn the retreat at 5:57 p.m. made by Allyson Slobotski, seconded by Jeremy Dick.  All in favor.

 

Jodi McCoy-

Board of Education Recording Secretary

 

7/25            ZNEZ

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