The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on January 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., at the District Office. All meetings are open to the public. Regular meetings are streamed live through YouTube and viewable on the District website. Special meetings, where there are action items on the agenda, will also be streamed live. Agendas for Board of Education meetings are posted on the district website the Friday before each meeting. Click here to view agendas and minutes.

Throughout the meeting, building and district administrators presented reports and updates to the Board of Education. Click here to view the agenda with each presentation attached.

Reports included:

During each regular board meeting, Dr. Plas provides an update to the Board on various topics. You can view the full report online as an attachment to the meeting agenda. Click here to view the agenda.

This month's report included an update on:

Dr. Thoendel and Mr. Feeney provided an update on the curriculum and personnel proposals for the 2026-27 school year. The Curriculum Committee met on November 10th to continue the process of determining which curriculum and personnel proposals to recommend for the 2026-27 school year. There were 50 proposals this year for consideration.

At the previous meeting, the BOE approved 4.0 FTE teaching positions triggered by the automatic position-adding process, with the understanding that much of those costs would be offset with SPED reimbursement and reassigned positions. Being mindful that the 2026-27 budget is projected to face a limited revenue increase, the Curriculum Committee spent additional time evaluating proposals that were highly prioritized by both the Curriculum/Proposal Committee and the Administrative/BOE Committee. The table below shows the proposals approved.

The Building & Finance Committee met on November 10th to review potential district purchases, including the five-year bus and van replacement schedule. Recently, opportunities arose to purchase vehicles at favorable auction rates; however, the timing of required approvals made it difficult to act quickly. The committee unanimously recommended authorizing a future purchase of a school bus or vans as needed for up to $150,000 to allow BPS to respond promptly when a cost-effective option becomes available. The Board of Education approved the recommendation.

Each year, the district continues to invest in the technology necessary to operate the school in the current digital age. Below is the first proposed technology purchase for the 2026-27 school year. The second proposed purchase will take place in March, but these devices can be purchased now with significant savings to the District. The funds were included in the 2025-26 budget approved at the start of the school year. Mr. Uchtman has a five-year plan for technology purchases that is continually under review to ensure it meets the needs of our growing student population. The total cost for the first purchase is $314,880, which is $185,120 under budget.

The Board approved a three-year mechanical service agreement with Cerris (formerly MMC) for HVAC inspections and support across all district buildings. Annual costs are $68,969 for the first two years and $70,696 for the third year. This agreement will save the district more than $20,000 over the previous agreement while continuing consistent service for all HVAC systems.

The Board approved one request from a BHS student to graduate early. The student completed all required steps outlined in the handbook, and will meet graduation requirements pending successful completion of current coursework. 

The Board of Education is required by Nebraska Statute §79-828, Board policy (302.05) and contract to formally evaluate the Superintendent’s performance at least annually in each year of employment with the District. All six board members provided an evaluation of the Superintendent’s performance from January through November 2025. The Board will perform its next evaluation of the Superintendent in December of 2026. The Superintendent and the Board President reviewed the feedback from the last year and noted areas of both strength and opportunity. The Superintendent performance evaluation reflects six priority areas including: board relations; community relations; staff and personnel relations; educational leadership; business & finance; and personal qualities.

The Board approved the next set of construction bids for the second high school. Below are the eight bids that were recommended for approval by the Building & Finance Committee. The combined total of these bids is $9,548,970, which is $131,985 below the preconstruction estimate. With this approval, about 31% of the project’s construction bids are approved.

The Community Resources page on the BPS website shares information about local programs available to help families with food sustainability and other essential needs. From food pantries and meal assistance to community outreach efforts, these resources are here to help families have access to what they need.

Mrs. Johnson is planning a TRIP TO EUROPE for all Sophomores students graduating in 2028! The trip will be 14 days and include 5 countries: The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy. It will depart as soon as school is out for the summer in 2028. 

There will be an INFORMATIONAL PARENT MEETING in January. Watch the newsletter for more information. Attend with your parents so that you have all of the information about travel, safety and the entire adventure!  

Also, visit our exclusive website for more information or to sign up: www.bluedottours.com/Johnson-8Y73

The Bennington Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, or other protected status in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Students: Mr. Dan Bombeck, Director of Student Services, 11620 North 156th Street, P.O. Box 309, Bennington, NE 68007 (402) 238-3044 (dbombeck@bennps.org). Employees and Others: Dr. Matt Blomenkamp, Assistant Superintendent 11620 North 156th Street, P.O. Box 309, Bennington, NE 68007 (402) 238-3044 (mblomenkamp@bennps.org). Complaints or concerns involving discrimination or needs for accommodation or access should be addressed to the appropriate Coordinator. For further information about anti-discrimination laws and regulations, or to file a complaint of discrimination with the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education (OCR), please contact the OCR at 601 East 12th Street, Room 353, Kansas City, MO 64106, (800) 368-1019 (voice), Fax (816) 426-3686, (800) 537-7697 (telecommunications device for the deaf), or ocr.kansascity@ed.gov.

The Bennington Public School District is committed to offering employment and educational opportunity to its employees and students in a climate free of discrimination. Accordingly, unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation of any kind by District employees, including, co-workers, non-employees (such as volunteers), third parties and others is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.