BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL 

DISTRICT NO. 59

BOARD OF EDUCATION 

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2026  6:00 PM

BENNINGTON DISTRICT BOARD ROOM

 

Posting Information: Notice published in the Daily Record on 02/13/2026.  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 5:51 PM. Jeremy Dick: Present, Tim Dreessen: Absent, Kara Neuverth: Present, Joe Pick: Present, Steve Shannon: Present, Allyson Slobotski: Present.

 

I. Call Meeting to Order- Board President Allyson Slobotski called the meeting to order at 6:01 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 people from the public were present to speak.  

 

III. Consent Agenda- 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 12, 2026 - Regular Meeting Presentation of February 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, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

February 2026 Personnel Notes: Certified Staff Hire: Derrik Spooner- assistant principal at Bennington High School, Lori Zito- .5 school psychologist at Stratford Elementary, Mason Rodericks- math teacher at Bennington High School, Krista Bendell- principal at Bennington Elementary School, Tait Heimes- special education teacher at Bennington Elementary, Megan Spomer- elementary teacher at Bennington Elementary. Classified Staff Hire: Carma Plessing- paraprofessional at Bennington South and Bennington North Middle School, Anastasiia Bulat- paraprofessional at Anchor Pointe Elementary, Doug Kibbe- paraprofessional at Stratford Elementary, Lacy Rustin- 4 hour cook at Bennington High School.  Certified Staff Resignations:  Ross Berggren, Jennifer Rucker, Amanda Perkins, Rylee Reggio, Mickayla Hegy, Danielle Adams, Katy Huston, Nate Cain, Madeline Mandl, Classified Staff Resignations: Sakuntala Paudel, Chuck Matland, Hillary Cemer.  

 

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

 

V. Reports- Elementary - Danielle Robb, Middle School - Lucas Apfelbeck, High School - None, Student Services - Dan Bombeck, CIA - Jimmy Feeney, Operations - Matt Blomenkamp, Superintendent - Aaron Plas. Committee Report: Building/Finance, Curriculum, Policy- None, Coordinator – None, Spotlight - Department Leads - Leslie Fortin and Michael Spoehr Lobbyist - Julia Plucker.

 

VI. Unfinished Business

VI.A. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on 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.  

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the 2027-28 school calendar as presented, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Joe Pick.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: 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 has continued to review proposals that were highly prioritized by both the Curriculum/Proposal Committee and the Administrative/BOE Committee, including those with offsetting costs. The Curriculum Committee recommended the following high-ranking proposals for approval:  3.0 Special Education Teachers, 1.0 Mechanic.  

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to accept the recommendations by the Curriculum Committee for 2026-27 curriculum and personnel proposals #43 and #50 as outlined in the January 12, 2026, Curriculum Committee Report and pending 2026-27 budget approval, passed with a motion by Kara Neuverth and a second by Steve Shannon.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.B. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Omaha Public Works (OPW) Sanitary Sewer Project Bids- On January 22, 2026, Bennington Public Schools received bids for the Omaha Public Works (OPW) sanitary sewer construction work associated with the second high school project. This work will be completed with DLR Group providing construction administration, under the supervision of the City of Omaha, and in coordination with Bennington Public Schools. Several qualified general contractors submitted bids for this infrastructure scope. The total budget estimate identified during preconstruction for this work was $657,631.  Based on information from DLR, we recommended approval of the low bid from Thompson Construction for $654,859, which is $2,772 under the preconstruction budget for this item.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to award the bid contract to Thompson Construction for $654,858.85 for OPW Off-Site Sanitary Sewer project associated with the second high school project, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Jeremy Dick.  Jeremy Dick: 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- On November 20, 2025, 59 bid scopes were received spanning large amount of the project. Of those bids, three were approved during the December BOE meeting, 20 were approved in January, and the final 36 were up for consideration and approval.  Hausmann Construction continues to work through three scopes that did not receive any bids.  Based on information from DLR and Hausmann, we recommended approval of all bids as presented.  

 

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 Joe Pick.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.D. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on 2026-27 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 are unanimously recommending approval by the Board of Education.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the Negotiated Agreement for the 2026-27 school year between the Bennington Board of Education and the Bennington Education Association, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Steve Shannon.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.E. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on the Adoption of a New Grading Scale- In the fall of 2025, the Curriculum Committee began reviewing the district’s grading practices after discussing grading trends in nearby districts and expectations from colleges. As part of this work, the Committee conducted a Grading Scale Impact Study that looked at local and metro-area grading scales, college admissions practices, and the potential impact on students.  The district recommended transitioning from a 7-point grading scale to a 10-point grading scale beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. 

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the 10-point grading scale for Bennington Public Schools beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, passed with a motion by Steve Shannon and a second by Joe Pick.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.F. EXECUTIVE SESSION to Discuss Support Staff and Administrative Compensation- The Negotiations Committee met on January 7th to discuss support staff and administrative compensation. The Administration and Negotiations Committee recommended salary increases for the 2026-27 school year. 

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to enter closed session at 7:25 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 Steve Shannon and a second by Joe Pick.  Jeremy Dick: Yea, Kara Neuverth: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

The Board returned to Open Session at 7:47 p.m.

 

VII.G. Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Support Staff and Administrative Compensation- During the closed session, the BOE reviewed and discussed the proposed compensation for support staff and administrators. The Building/Finance Committee supported increasing compensation packages for support staff and administrators at or near the teacher compensation package of 4.04%.  Compensation packages for support staff will increase by 4.04% and the administration compensation package will increase by 3.97%.  

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the 2026-2027 salary and benefits proposal for support staff and administration as presented.   

 

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

 

IX. Adjournment- Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m. made by Allyson Slobotski, all in favor.  

 

Jodi McCoy- 

Board of Education Recording Secretary

 

02/09/26 

BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

CLAIMS BOARD REPORT

 

Vendor Name Amount

GENERAL FUND CHECKING

ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING $13,453.70

ACCESS SYSTEMS $612.71

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS $393.29

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES $9,811.12

Assmann, Kathryn $33.35

Backlund, Kellie $13.05

BAYLOR ENTERPRISES $13,477.00

BENNINGTON AUTO INC $2,651.97

Biehler, Hallie $24.36

Blomenkamp, Matthew $84.10

Bombeck, Daniel $98.02

Bottorff, Alexandria $104.98

Bouaphakeo, Ann $91.06

CAPSAN $296.52

CERRIS SYSTEMS $49,414.33

Christian, Jack $20.88

COLORADO WEST EQUIPMENT $224.96

COX BUSINESS $1,320.70

CUBBY’S, INC $3,619.42

CULLIGAN $42.00

CUMMINS SALES 

AND SERVICE $1,067.75

DAILY RECORD, THE $387.99

DECKER EQUIPMENT $113.95

DeHart, Melissa $39.15

DEMCO, INC $284.03

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE, INC $1,258.31

ELECTRICITY, LLC $6,229.38

Engel, Olivia $28.35

ESU 3 $19,919.83

EVERWAY LLC $9,089.87

Feeney III, James $305.74

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC $2,190.59

FIELD PAPER COMPANY $581.00

FILTER SHOP, INC $750.00

FIRESPRING $8,975.16

Fitzgerald, Abby $65.98

FOLLETT CONTENT 

SOLUTIONS, LLC $2,224.00

GIBBS SMITH EDUCATION $1,186.92

GRAINGER $381.94

Gutz, Stacy $63.00

HARLOW’S SCHOOL 

BUS SERVICE, INC. $6,472.00

HD SUPPLY, INC. $7,982.22

HILAND DAIRY, INC. $41.86

HY-VEE INC $2,932.24

I3 BANK $80.00

Ingram, Zavaire $39.80

INLAND TRUCK 

PARTS COMPANY $4,286.69

INTERSTATE BATTERY 

SYSTEMS OF OMAHA $530.85

INTERSTATE  

POWER SYSTEMS, INC $12,400.45

J.W. PEPPER & SON, INC $663.08

Johanek, Jay $65.25

JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL $4,129.26

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC $22,425.00

KELLEY PLUCKER, LLC $7,250.00

Kessell, Christopher $204.45

Korbel, Alysha $55.72

LAKESHORE LEARNING MATERIALS $92.00

Lamberty, Gregory $817.63

LANG DIESEL INC $305.63

LIBERTY HARDWOODS, INC $598.20

Loptin, Robbie $104.40

Lyon, Brendon $585.38

MACKIN BOOK COMPANY $307.18

MAPLE 85 PREMIUM 

LANDSCAPE MULCH CENTER $187.50

Mattson, Tara $42.78

MAXIM HEALTH 

CARE SERVICES $1,685.44

McCoy, Jodi $17.40

METAL DOORS & HARDWARE CO. $618.00

METROPOLITAN 

UTILITIES DISTRICT $22,779.00

MIDWEST BUS PARTS $301.36

NEBRASKA ASSOC. 

OF SCHOOL BOARDS $8,219.00

NEBRASKA BLINDS & SHUTTERS $825.00

NEBRASKA PEDIATRIC  

PRACTICE INC $2,500.00

NEBRASKA SAFETY CENTER $100.00

NEBRASKA STATE  

BANDMASTERS ASSOC $359.00

NEBRASKA STATE  

FIRE MARSHAL ELEVATOR DIVISION $480.00

NEBRASKA.GOV $93.50

Nielsen, Alexis $390.06

OCCUPATIONAL

HEALTH CENTERS OF NE, P.C. $115.00

Ohlson, Calena $24.65

ONE SOURCE $603.05

OPPD $75,547.00

OUTDOOR 

RECREATION PRODUCTS $523.25

PAINTIN PLACE CERAMICS $241.00

Panning, Emily $172.55

PERRY LAW FIRM $1,778.60

Plas, Aaron $421.95

POPCO INC., 

DBA IDEAL PURE WATER $28.00

PORT-A-JOHNS INC $150.00

PRESTO-X $895.09

PRIME SECURED, INC $7,393.36

QA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. $6,800.00

RADIO 

ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES $2,800.00

Reinwald, Alexander $33.35

RISE VISION $831.60

RIVERSIDE INSIGHTS $158.40

ROSE THEATER $378.00

Rowley, Pamela $32.63

RTG BUILDING SERVICES, INC $81,377.08

RYDIN $343.00

SAPP BROS., INC. $9,430.53

SECURITY EQUIPMENT, INC $1,590.00

Sindelar, Kathryn $195.75

SPORTS 

FACILITY MAINTENANCE, LLC $500.00

STERICYCLE, INC $442.54

STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND  

& AEROSPACE MUSEUM $836.00

Stuart, Jyntri $357.43

SUBURBAN 

SCHOOLS’ PROGRAM $31,379.75

SUMMIT FIRE 

PROTECTION CO. $11,140.50

SUPERIOR DOOR, LLC $250.00

TK ELEVATOR CORPORATION $4,611.00

Townsend, Jake $113.83

TRAN, TRINH $60.00

TRANE US INC $20,427.66

Uchtman, Robert $102.95

US BANK $5,674.37

USIC LOCATING SERVICES, LLC $129.48

VERIZON $388.96

WEST MUSIC $92.94

WEST O CHAMBER $350.00

WHITE CASTLE ROOFING $669.00

WM CORPORATE  

SERVICES, INC $8,303.63

Young, Norise $65.11

ZUM SERVICES INC. $1,744.00

 

SPECIAL BUILDING FUND - CHECKING

DLR GROUP $226,721.55

HAUSMANN CONSTRUCTION, 

INC $2,254,593.70

OLSSON ASSOCIATES $1,650.00

TERRACON CONSULTANTS INC $16,651.00

 

2/27 ZNEZ

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