BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL

DISTRICT NO. 59

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025 6:00 P.M.

BENNINGTON DISTRICT BOARD ROOM

 

Posting Information: Notice published in the Daily Record on 01/10/2025. 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, Joe Pick: Present, Kristi Ryan: Present, Steve Shannon: Present, Allyson Slobotski: Present.

 

I.       Call Meeting to Order- Superintendent Plas called the meeting to order at 6:00 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, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary- Tim Dreessen nominated Allyson Slobotski for Board President, Jeremy Dick motioned to cease nominations with a second by Joe Pick, all in favor. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

Jeremy Dick nominated Tim Dreessen for Vice President, Steve Shannon nominated Kristi Ryan for Vice President. Jeremy Dick motioned to cease nominations with a second by Joe Pick, all in favor. A ballot vote was conducted, Tim Dreessen received the majority of the votes.

 

Tim Dreessen nominated Jeremy Dick for Treasurer, Joe Pick motioned to cease nominations with a second by Kristi Ryan, all in favor. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea.

 

Allyson Slobotski nominated Kristi Ryan for Secretary, Steve Shannon motioned to cease nominations with a second by Jeremy Dick, all in favor. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: 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 2025 slate of officers as presented, passed with a motion by Tim Dreessen and a second by Jeremy Dick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

I.D.        Approve Practice and Procedures

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

b.  Depository for School District No. 59 Funds: i3 Bank formerly Bank of Bennington- (Policy 704.01)

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

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 2025 school board practices and procedures as listed and presented, passed with a motion by Kristi Ryan and a second by Jeremy Dick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

I.E.        Appoint 2025 Committee Members- 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- Kristi Ryan.

 

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, December 9, 2024 - Regular Meeting, Presentation of January 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, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

January 2025 Personnel Notes: Certified Staff Hire: Brian Murphy- social studies teacher at Bennington High School, Hallie Biehler- preschool speech language pathologist at Anchor Pointe, Ryan Rischling- high school counselor at Bennington High School, Tom Schumacher- 0.5 STS teacher at Bennington High School. Classified Staff Hire: Jose Martinez- IT associate for the district, Sakuntala Kafle Paudel- paraprofessional at Bennington Middle School, Lacy Kinsella- paraprofessional at Bennington Middle School, Jyntri Stuart- 4-hour cook at Bennington South Middle School, Rhonda Thomas has been hired as a 4-hour cook at Bennington Elementary. Certified Staff Resignations: Lisa Bade has resigned from her position as a counselor at Bennington High School, Jeff Graver has resigned from his position as a .5 STS teacher at Bennington High School, Amanda Boesch has resigned from her position as a counselor at Bennington High School, Kim Levine has resigned from her position as a math teacher at Bennington High School. Classified Staff Resignations: Matthew Shackelford.

 

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

 

V.      Reports- Administrative Reports: Elementary - Chad Boyes, Middle School - Renee Rucker, High School - Greg Lamberty, Student Services - Dan Bombeck, CIA - Jimmy Feeney, Operations - Matt Blomenkamp, Superintendent - Aaron Plas, Committee Report: Building/Finance, Curriculum, Policy. Coordinator: Transportation/Facilities - Jeremy Edens, Spotlight: Preschool - Rachel Emery, Taylor Dahlgren. Lobbyist: None.

 

VI.    Unfinished Business- None.

 

VII.   New Business

 

VII.A.    Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Curriculum and Personnel Proposals- The Curriculum Committee has continued to review proposals that were highly prioritized by both the Curriculum/Proposal Committee and the Administrative/BOE Committee with offsetting costs. The Curriculum Committee unanimously recommended the approval of Assistant Principal at Anchor Pointe, Special Education Teacher, and High School Department Heads.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to accept the recommendations by the Curriculum Committee for 2025-26 curriculum and personnel proposals, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Tim Dreessen. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.B.    Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on 2025-26 Negotiated Agreement- The Building/Finance Committee has been negotiating in good faith with the Bennington Education Association (BEA) over the last few months. They have reached a tentative agreement with the BEA and unanimously recommended approval by the Board of Education.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the Negotiated Agreement for the 2025-26 school year between the Bennington Board of Education and the Bennington Education Association, passed with a motion by Tim Dreessen and a second by Joe Pick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.C.    Review Draft Options of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 School Calendar- After several discussions with staff, surveys, recommendations from the STAC Committee, and reviews by building administration, slight modifications to the 2025-26 school calendar were presented, which will impact the proposed 2026-27 school calendar. There was no motion on this item. Discussion only.

 

VII.D.    Discuss District Cash Flow Report- Michael Thies prepared a cash flow projection for the 2024-2025 year to inform the BOE of 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 2024. 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 All Necessary Action on a Resolution calling certain maturities for early redemption of the district’s outstanding General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2019, in an amount NOT TO EXCEED $2,000,000, for the purpose of defeasing principal and generating interest cost savings- Due to the bond tender offer not receiving participation, D.A. Davidson proposed calling bonds early to ensure further reduction of the principal by the budgeted $2,000,000.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the resolution calling for general obligation school building bonds series 2019 for redemption prior to maturity as presented, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Steve Shannon. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Kristi Ryan: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.G.    Discuss, Consider, and Take All Necessary Action on a Resolution calling for a Special Bond Election to be held on March 11, 2025, to submit to the qualified voters of the District for their approval or rejection, the issuance of General Obligation School Building Bonds, in an amount NOT TO EXCEED $112,000,000, for the purpose of constructing, acquiring, and improving District facilities, which shall include a new high school building and related facilities, and for providing the necessary furniture, technology, and apparatus for such building, facilities, and additions- A review of the project scope, bond resolution and bond levy estimates were provided. The bond resolution and bond language will appear as a special election in March 2025.

 

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

 

VIII. Time and Date of Next Regular Meeting- Date/Time of Next Regular Meeting- February 10th - Regular Board Meeting, 6:00 P.M.- District Office.

 

IX.    Adjournment- Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 P.M. made by Allyson Slobotski and seconded by Steve Shannon. All in favor.

 

Jodi McCoy-

Bennington Board of Education

Recording Secretary

 

01/13/25 Bennington Public Schools Claims Board Report

                 

Vendor Name     Amount

BOND FUND               

GLOBIC ADVISORS         $2,290.39

                 

GENERAL FUND CHECKING         

360 COMMUNITY SERVICES     $2,997.81

A UNITED AUTOMATIC  

DOORS & GLASS, INC     $55.00

ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING      $13,453.70

ACCESS SYSTEMS $1,035.79

Albin, Kathy          $32.16

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES    $11,931.61

ANCORA PUBLISHING    $80.25

APPLE INC   $299.00

ARBOR FAMILY COUNSELING   $20,871.50

ARNOLD MOTOR   $950.01

Austin, Marc         $12.06

Barada, Landon     $102.78

BENNINGTON AUTO INC $1,037.86

Blevins, Cole         $115.24

Bombeck, Daniel   $85.89

Bottorff, Alexandria        $73.16

Bouaphakeo, Ann $47.84

BOUND TO STAY  

BOUND BOOKS     $1,469.83

BOYS TOWN NATIONAL 

RESEARCH HOSPITAL     $6,384.07

BOYS TOWN         $16,200.00

BPS NUTRITION SERVICES      $1,994.02

Brandt, Katherine $72.36

CAPSAN       $396.10

CDW GOVERNMENT       $16,800.00

CERRIS SYSTEMS  $21,028.95

Christensen, Jamie         $78.99

Christensen, Jennifer      $6.97

Christian, Jack      $21.44

CLEAN WATER GUYS INC         $1,290.57

CONSOLIDATED ELECTRICAL  

DISTRIBUTORS     $998.43

CORNHUSKER MARRIOTT       

HOTEL, THE         $1,120.00

COX BUSINESS     $1,314.83

CUBBY’S, INC        $8,926.72

CULLIGAN   $41.00

Dacy, Brianne       $440.55

DAILY RECORD, THE      $281.99

DECKER EQUIPMENT      $130.85

DeHart, Melissa     $51.93

DESIGN SCIENCE, INC    $987.50

DH PACE COMPANY        $1,706.52

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE, INC     $632.50

EIDE BAILLY LLP   $42,443.00

ELECTRICITY, LLC $464.11

ELECTRONIC SOUND INC        $1,050.00

ELKHORN FENCE, LLC    $3,045.00

ELKHORN GLASS INC      $390.00

Engel, Olivia          $102.11

ESU 3 $29,740.26

EYMAN PLUMBING $436.33

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC   $2,368.83

FIELD PAPER COMPANY  $581.00

FILTER SHOP, INC $245.80

FIRST STUDENT, INC     $29,745.23

Fitzgerald, Abby    $68.68

FOLLETT CONTENT       

SOLUTIONS, LLC   $1,686.77

GENERAL FIRE AND SAFETY    $6,223.00

GOMEZ, JUSNAILI          $536.00

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES, INC  $1,650.00

GRAINGER   $551.37

Gutz, Stacy $81.07

HD SUPPLY FORMERLY  

HOME DEPOT PRO         $8,221.16

HEARTLAND SCHOOL     $3,495.00

HILAND DAIRY, INC.      $39.06

HY-VEE INC $685.81

I3 BANK      $80.00

INTERSTATE POWER     

SYSTEMS, INC      $9,179.14

JAYMAR BUSINESS FORMS, INC        $681.67

Johanek, Jay         $65.66

JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL $428.07

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD $44.72

Jurgens, Amanda   $577.88

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC  $23,314.50

Kessell, Christopher        $151.42

Korbel, Alysha       $64.46

Kramer, Brittany    $106.73

Krumwiede, Alexa $175.00

Lamberty, Gregory         $235.17

LANG DIESEL INC  $385.36

Loptin, Robbie      $70.35

Lyon, Brendon       $400.36

MAPLE 85 PREMIUM      

LANDSCAPE MULCH CENTER    $184.50

Matland, Charles   $132.66

Mattson, Tara       $89.91

McCormick, Kristin          $577.88

MCGRAW HILL LLC         $349.62

METAL DOORS & HARDWARE CO.     $170.00

METROPOLITAN   

UTILITIES DISTRICT      $18,849.00

MIDAMERICA BOOKS      $383.20

MIDWEST BUS PARTS     $353.48

MIDWEST TURF & IRRIGATION         $412.45

Mitchell, Millie       $12.73

NEBRASKA ASSOC. OF   

SCHOOL BOARDS  $511.00

NEBRASKA CENTRAL     

EQUIPMENT INC   $3,933.93

NEBRASKA COUNCIL OF SCHOOL      ADMINISTRATORS        $435.00

NEBRASKA PEDIATRIC   

PRACTICE INC      $2,500.00

NEBRASKA.GOV    $435.00

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

CENTERS OF NE, P.C.     $110.00

Ohlson, Calena      $32.16

OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM  $810.00

ON TO COLLEGE   $10,815.00

ONE CALL CONCEPTS     $12.00

ONE SOURCE        $652.80

OPPD $75,547.00

ORIENTAL TRADING CO $90.59

Panning, Emily      $150.08

Penington, Carly    $72.36

PERRY LAW FIRM  $1,464.25

Plas, Aaron $323.61

POPCO INC., DBA 

IDEAL PURE WATER       $27.25

PORT-A-JOHNS INC        $150.00

PRESTO-X    $796.00

PRIME SECURED, INC     $19,610.13

Reinwald, Alexander       $24.12

RIEKES EQUIPMENT       $365.00

RISE VISION         $831.60

RTG BUILDING SERVICES, INC $82,029.83

SCHAEFER ELECTRIC, INC       $1,210.00

SCOTT ENTERPRISES, INC.      $844.62

Sindelar, Kathryn   $46.23

SOLIANT HEALTH, LLC   $6,337.50

SPARQ DATA SOLUTIONS        $6,300.00

Stryker, Jordyn      $577.88

Suing, Jocelyn       $577.88

TEACHING STRATEGIES, LLC   $1,950.00

TK ELEVATOR CORPORATION  $2,972.46

Townsend, Jake    $62.65

TRAN, TRINH        $60.00

TRANE US INC      $5,419.75

TRUCK CENTER COMPANIES    $375.70

TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC    $81.00

Uchtman, Robert   $20.10

Underwood, Sheryl         $156.79

UNL  CAREER SERVICES $175.00

US BANK     $5,862.61

US POSTMASTER  $2,988.74

USIC LOCATING SERVICES, LLC        $220.57

VERIZON     $516.49

VISITING NURSE  

HEALTH SERVICES         $4,853.75

VOSS, DOUGLAS   $627.12

VOYAGER SOPRIS LEARNING   $336.60

WASHINGTON COUNTY

TREASURER $100.00

WAYNE STATE COLLEGE $235.00

WEST MUSIC        $227.08

WEST O CHAMBER         $350.00

WESTSIDE  

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS            $3,750.00

WHC NE, LLC DBA ZTRIP         $9,117.26

WHITE CASTLE ROOFING        $2,129.00

WM CORPORATE  

SERVICES, INC     $7,857.40

WOODCRAFT SUPPLY, LLC       $1,799.99

Young, Norise       $64.72

 

SPECIAL BUILDING FUND - CHECKING         OLSSON ASSOCIATES     $1,650.00

 

STUDENT FEE FUND            

AGPARTS WORLDWIDE, INC    $2,195.00

 

1/17            ZNEZ

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