BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DOUGLAS COUNTY

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 59

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, MAY 12, 2025 6:00 PM

BENNINGTON DISTRICT BOARD ROOM

 

Posting Information: Notice published in the Daily Record on 05/09/2025. 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 5:48 PM. Jeremy Dick: Present, Tim Dreessen: Present, Joe Pick: Present, Kristi Ryan: Absent, Steve Shannon: Present, Allyson Slobotski: Present.

 

I.     Call Meeting to Order- Board President Allyson Slobotski called the meeting 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.   Public Forum- No 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, April 14, 2025 - Regular Meeting, Presentation of May 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 Joe Pick and a second by Jeremy Dick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

May 2025 Personnel Notes- Certified Staff Hire: Ben Gentry- elementary teacher at Pine Creek Elementary, Chloe Madison- elementary teacher at Heritage Elementary, Lauren Gearhart- teacher at Stratford Elementary, Carlee Watson- teacher at Heritage Elementary. Classified Staff Hire: Archana Pesarekalaya- paraprofessional at the high school. Certified Staff Resignations: None. Classified Staff Resignations: Cole Blevins has resigned his position as IT employee, Doug Kibbe is retiring from his paraprofessional position, Marina Richter is resigning as a paraprofessional, Kiernan Rider is resigning as a cook at Anchor Pointe, Lily Hinkel is resigning as a paraprofessional at Bennington South Middle School, Brook Tresham has resigned as a four-hour cook at Stratford Elementary.

 

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

 

V.    Reports- Administrative Reports: Elementary - Craig Theis, Middle School - Renee Rucker, High School - Greg Lamberty, Student Services - Dan Bombeck, CIA - Jimmy Feeney, Operations - Matt Blomenkamp, Superintendent - Aaron Plas. Committee Reports: Building/Finance, Curriculum, Policy. Coordinator - Foundation - Blake Thompson, Spotlight - Curriculum Adoption - Shannon Thoendel/Jimmy Feeney, Lobbyist – Dr. Plas presented information on the current Legislature to the Board.

 

VI.  Unfinished Business- None.

 

VII. New Business

VII.A.  Discuss and Consider First Reading to Add/Revise Policies for Section 500- The Committee recommended several forms to be listed on the district website and not within policy. The Committee recommended 11 policies for language revisions that result in material changes. The remainder of the 500 section was determined appropriate by the Committee. No motion is necessary, first reading only.

 

VII.B.  Discuss and Consider Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, and High School Handbook Revisions- Each year, the Board of Education is asked to approve the student handbooks at the preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Handbooks could be approved at the June meeting to allow time to prepare for the upcoming school year.

 

VII.C.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on K-12 Social Studies Textbook Adoption- The K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Adoption Teams have finalized their top selections- Elementary K-3- Studies Weekly by Learning Lab and 5th grade- Social Studies Alive! Teacher’s Curriculum Institute (TCI). Middle School- Teacher’s Curriculum Institute (TCI).

High School- McGraw Hill and Bedford, Freeman, and Worth Publishers (BFW).

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the purchase of the K-12 Social Studies curriculum materials as presented, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Tim Dreessen. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.D.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on K-5 Music Textbook Adoption- The K-5 Music Curriculum Adoption Team has finalized their top selections of curriculums for proposed adoption. They unanimously determined that QuaverMusic by QuaverEd was the best adoption.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the purchase of the K-5 music curriculum materials as presented, passed with a motion by Tim Dreessen and a second by Joe Pick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.E.  Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on 6-12 Skilled and Technical Sciences Textbook Adoption- The 6-12 Skilled and Technical Science Adoption Team has finalized their top selections of curriculums for proposed adoption. Middle School- for Tech and Living- Goodheart-Willcox Publishers (G-W). High School- The High School Skilled and Technical Sciences Department unanimously determined that Goodheart-Willcox Publishers and Cengage were the best adoptions.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to approve the purchase of the 6-12 Skilled and Technical Sciences curriculum materials as presented, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Steve Shannon. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.F.    Discuss, Consider, and Take Action on Bid Contracts for the Second High School Project- The Bennington School District received bids from general contractors for the Bennington Public Schools Second High School site project. There were two bid packages including the mass site grading and surveying.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to award the bid contract for mass grading to Ruff Grading for $1,387,358, and site/survey work to Alpha Land Surveying for $10,100 for the second high school project, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Joe Pick. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.G.    Discuss, Consider, and Take Action to Accept the Resignation of Kristi Ryan from Bennington Public Schools Board of Education Due to Her Moving Outside the District’s Boundaries- The Board received the formal resignation of Kristi Ryan from the Bennington Board of Education. Kristi will soon be relocating outside of the district boundaries. The Board thanks Kristi for her commitment to Bennington Public Schools and her service to the students and community.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to accept the resignation of Kristi Ryan, effective immediately, and thank Kristi for her service on the Bennington Public Schools’ Board of Education, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Tim Dreessen. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.H.    Discuss, Consider, and Take Action to Determine the Process to Fill the School Board Vacancy Created by Kristi Ryan’s Resignation- With the resignation of Kristi Ryan from the Board of Education, the district must take the necessary steps to determine the process for filling the resulting vacancy.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to authorize the Board President to approach an interested candidate (or candidates) to determine if they are willing to fill the current board vacancy and to present a recommended candidate(s) for the Board’s consideration at the June Board Meeting, or, to fill the board vacancy through an interview process where interested individuals may apply and interview for the board vacancy position. I further move to authorize the Superintendent and Board President to develop and distribute an application, establish an application and interview timeframe, and set a special meeting for the board to conduct interviews for those who apply for the vacant board seat, passed with a motion by Joe Pick and a second by Steve Shannon. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

VII.I.     Discuss, Consider, and Take Action to Appoint a Board Secretary, Effective Immediately- Due to the resignation of Kristi Ryan, the position of Board Secretary is now vacant. It is the responsibility of the Board to appoint a new secretary.

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to appoint Steve Shannon to serve as the Secretary of the Board of Education, effective immediately, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Tim Dreessen. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

In addition, President Allyson Slobotski appointed Joe Pick as the Board of Education Liaison to the Bennington Public Schools Education Foundation.

 

VII.J.     EXECUTIVE SESSION to Discussion Certified Staff Negotiations-

 

MOTION PASSED: Motion to enter in closed session at 7:46 PM to discuss Superintendent contract information 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, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

The Board returned to Regular Session at 8:25 PM.

 

VIII. Time and Date of Next Regular Meeting- June 9th – Regular Meeting at 6:00 PM – Bennington District Office

 

IX.  Adjournment- Motion to adjourn meeting at 8:26 PM, passed with a motion by Allyson Slobotski and a second by Tim Dreessen. Jeremy Dick: Yea, Tim Dreessen: Yea, Joe Pick: Yea, Steve Shannon: Yea, Allyson Slobotski: Yea

 

05/12/25

BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CLAIMS BOARD REPORT

 

Vendor Name     Amount

GENERAL FUND CHECKING

360 COMMUNITY SERVICES     $6,661.80

ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING      $13,461.60

ACCESS SYSTEMS  $849.79

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES    $17,844.89

AMERICAN PLAYGROUND       

COMPANY    $1,818.00

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION       $666.00

ARBOR FAMILY COUNSELING   $5,920.00

ART FX        $671.00

Assmann, Kathryn $60.13

Austin, Marc          $5.60

AWARDS UNLIMITED, INC.      $1,719.40

BENNINGTON AUTO INC $1,628.82

Bieber, Natalie      $101.20

Blevins, Cole         $200.90

BLICK ART MATERIALS   $1,176.27

Blocher, Theodore          $35.84

Blomenkamp, Matthew   $67.20

Bobolz, Cody         $645.08

Bombeck, Daniel   $95.69

Bottorff, Alexandria        $71.40

Bouaphakeo, Ann $137.34

BOUND TO STAY BOUND BOOKS       $60.96

BOYS TOWN PRESS        $76.15

BOYS TOWN         $16,200.00

BPS NUTRITION SERVICES      $822.25

CAPSAN       $396.10

CDW GOVERNMENT       $72.05

CERRIS SYSTEMS  $29,025.48

Christensen, Jamie         $113.82

Christian, Jack      $39.20

CITY OF BENNINGTON   $42.72

CONTROLLED RAIN        $16,385.00

COX BUSINESS     $1,317.35

CUBBY’S, INC        $10,416.84

CULLIGAN   $41.00

Dacy, Brianne       $263.20

DAILY RECORD, THE      $326.67

Dangel, Emily        $577.88

DECKER EQUIPMENT      $795.68

DeHart, Melissa     $80.85

Dellwo, Alison       $261.80

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE, INC     $850.50

DISCOUNT SCHOOL SUPPLY    $63.04

DREY ROOFING     $230.00

EDPUZZLE   $12,483.00

ELECTRICITY, LLC $591.31

ELKHORN GLASS INC      $250.00

EMBASSY SUITES LINCOLN      $249.00

Engel, Olivia         $21.56

ESU 3 $32,978.43

FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES        $289.90

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC   $2,368.83

FILTER SHOP, INC $10,004.20

FIRST STUDENT, INC     $26,440.20

Fischer, Darci        $563.66

Fisher, Molly         $10.08

Fitzgerald, Abby    $75.60

FOLLETT CONTENT       

SOLUTIONS, LLC   $5,536.21

GARY CLEMMER    $282.95

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES, INC  $3,900.00

GOPHER      $1,475.07

HD SUPPLY FORMERLY  

HOME DEPOT PRO         $13,697.81

HUBERT COMPANY         $61.00

HY-VEE INC $632.43

I3 BANK      $80.00

INTERSTATE BATTERY SYSTEMS      

OF OMAHA  $425.85

INTERSTATE POWER     

SYSTEMS, INC      $8,817.59

J & J SMALL ENGINES     $351.05

Johanek, Jay         $204.40

JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL $63.85

Jorgensen, Sara    $577.88

JOSTENS INC        $1,871.55

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC  $28,321.25

KELLEY PLUCKER, LLC    $6,950.00

Kessell, Christopher        $252.00

Kiger, Emily          $21.70

KNUDSEN OIL & FEED    $371.99

Korbel, Alysha       $76.79

Kralicek, Curtis      $96.60

Kramer, Brittany    $234.15

LAKESHORE LEARNING MATERIALS   $895.19

Lamberty, Gregory         $123.20

LEARNING FORWARD NEBRASKA      $145.00

Loptin, Robbie       $148.40

MAPLE 85 PREMIUM      

LANDSCAPE MULCH CENTER    $314.00

Mattson, Tara       $32.34

MAXIM HEALTH CARE    

SERVICES    $9,585.94

McCoy, Jodi          $21.00

MERCER-ZIMMERMAN, INC.     $200.00

METAL DOORS &  

HARDWARE CO.    $6,375.00

METROPOLITAN   

UTILITIES DISTRICT      $18,849.00

MIDWEST BUS PARTS    $2,776.20

Mitchell, Millie       $25.48

NASCO        $124.47

NEBRASKA COUNCIL OF SCHOOL      ADMINISTRATORS $480.00

NEBRASKA PEDIATRIC   

PRACTICE INC      $2,500.00

NEBRASKA SAFETY CENTER     $625.00

NEBRASKA TURF PRODUCTS    $975.80

NEBRASKA.GOV    $319.50

NEFF TOWING, INC        $467.50

NETA  $885.00

Nichols, Craig       $91.93

Nightengale, Erica          $577.88

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

CENTERS OF NE, P.C.     $575.00

OFFICE DEPOT, INC       $229.97

Ohlson, Calena      $50.05

ONE SOURCE        $750.25

OPPD $75,547.00

OUTDOOR RECREATION         

PRODUCTS  $68,903.20

Panning, Emily      $301.70

PERRY LAW FIRM  $2,279.60

Plas, Aaron $390.70

POPCO INC., DBA IDEAL         

PURE WATER        $5.00

PORT-A-JOHNS INC        $695.00

POWERSCHOOL GROUP LLC     $16,258.93

PRESTO-X   $2,277.04

PRIME SECURED, INC     $340.00

QUILL LLC   $1,204.49

REALLY GOOD STUFF LLC        $202.14

RTG BUILDING SERVICES, INC $81,377.08

Sanford, Julie        $76.29

SCHAEFER ELECTRIC, INC       $641.42

SCHMITT MUSIC   $2,805.00

SCHOOL SPECIALTY LLC $842.53

SECURITY EQUIPMENT, INC    $1,440.00

Sindelar, Kathryn   $60.20

SOLARWINDS       $1,448.00

SOLIANT HEALTH, LLC   $6,318.00

SPARE TIME OMAHA      $2,523.00

SPEED STACKS, INC       $32.60

STERICYCLE, INC  $412.79

SUMMIT FIRE PROTECTION     $823.00

TALACKO SAFETY SOLUTIONS $3,024.00

Taylor, Janel         $30.24

Theis, Dawn         $33.74

Thoendel, Shannon         $226.30

TK ELEVATOR CORPORATION  $1,707.75

Townsend, Jake    $29.40

TRANE US INC      $238.00

TURF TANK  $156.61

TURFWERKS         $131.72

Uchtman, Robert   $375.20

Underwood, Sheryl         $87.36

UNITED ELECTRIC SUPPLY       $251.86

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA -  

LINCOLN     $640.00

UNO MALLORY KOUNTZE        

PLANETARIUM      $450.00

UPLAND WILDLIFE        

MANAGEMENT      $1,200.00

US BANK     $11,115.74

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY       $185.00

VERIZON     $512.35

VIRCO INC  $3,528.92

VISITING NURSE  

HEALTH SERVICES         $7,067.50

VOSS, DOUGLAS   $806.40

WALMART   $64.56

WESTSIDE COMMUNITY         

SCHOOLS    $3,750.00

WHC NE, LLC DBA ZTRIP         $6,457.00

White, McKenzie    $263.20

WM CORPORATE SERVICES,   

INC    $8,220.65

Young, Norise       $77.28

 

SPECIAL BUILDING FUND - CHECKING        

MID-AMERICAN DRILLING      

CORPORATION     $10,500.00

OLSSON ASSOCIATES     $1,650.00

 

5/16            ZNEZ

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOL

BOARD OF EDUCATION

NOTICE OF VACANCY

 

A vacancy in the Bennington Public School’s Board of Education occurred on May 12, 2025, when the Board of Education accepted the resignation of Kristi Ryan.  The Board will appoint someone to fill this vacancy at a later Board meeting.  The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term of Kristi Ryan.

 

5/16   ZNEZ

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––