There is a Special Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, August 26th at 5:00 p.m. at the District Office. This meeting is for the Board to vote on end of year bills and strategic planning. This meeting is open to the public and will be streamed live through the District YouTube channel.

The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on September 14, 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. Blomenkamp presented a progress update on the previously approved summer maintenance. Items that have been completed are:

Items that are in-progress are:

The Building/Finance Committee met on August 3rd to discuss potential district purchases. These

discussions included transportation purchases and safety enhancements. The Board approved following purchases: 

A new 10-passenger van for $62,888. 

Protective netting and canopy for the BHS tennis courts for $56,325.

The Board received an update on the 2025-26 budget from Dr. Plas. He shared what the projected general fund expenditures and revenue are for 2025-26. For more information, click here to view the attachment from the agenda.

Dr. Plas provided the Board with multiple charts showing updated enrollment numbers, as of August 6, 2026. The first chart provided showed the total enrollment (K-12) at 4,538 students. Along with current numbers, he provided historical numbers to show the percentage of growth increase. For the 2026-2027 school year the district has 2.83% enrollment growth. Click here to view the charts shown.

The last chart Dr. Plas provided the Board showed past, current, and projected enrollment numbers with the capacity at each building level. This chart shows that our high school will be at 115% capacity in 2027-2028. With projected enrollment, the chart shows that our elementary schools will be at 90% capacity in 2031-2032. With South Middle School opening in 2022, our middle schools have room for projected enrollment growth.

The Board approved Bennington South High School as the name of the District’s second high school, which will open for the 2028-29 school year. The name maintains a strong connection to the Bennington community while providing a geographical identifier that supports the District’s continued growth and future planning.

The Board approved opening Bennington South High School with students in grades 9th-11th for the 2028-29 school year, with 12th grade added the following year. This approach will help reduce enrollment pressure at Bennington High School, providing both high schools with strong academic and activity programming, and allow current students to complete their senior year at Bennington High School. Attendance boundaries for the two high schools are expected to be established in the fall of 2027.

The Free and Reduced Meal applications are now available for the 2026-27 school year. Applications need to be filled out every school year. Each family only needs to complete one application for their entire family.

For assistance on how to apply online or to obtain a printed copy of the application, please call the District Office at 402-238-3044.

Families also have the option to purchase snack milk for their students each semester. This is separate from the lunch program and can be paid online. Snack milk is $53.40 for each semester. You must purchase snack milk for each semester. Snack milk for the first semester is available for purchase starting on August 3rd and will end on August 21st at 4 p.m. After August 21st at 4 p.m., payments for snack milk will no longer be accepted. 

If you do not purchase snack milk by August 21st at 4 p.m., your student will not be able to get snack milk. Second semester will be open for payment in December. All payments for snack milk will be done online at myschoolbucks.com.

Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, BPS has transitioned to a 10-point grading scale. While the grading scale has changed, curriculum expectations and academic rigor remain the same. Grades earned prior to the 2026-27 school year will remain on the previous 7-point scale, and weighted Advanced Placement courses and current recognition practices will continue.

Bennington Public Schools accesses curriculum materials from Second Step as part of the elementary guidance and secondary homeroom curriculums. The purpose of this curriculum adoption is to provide 1) district-wide expectations for behavior; and 2) consistent instruction of important life skills.

The curriculum helps children learn social-emotional skills such as 1) responsible decision making; 2) working together to solve problems; 3) managing strong emotions; and 4) getting along with others. These skills often help children succeed academically and socially. The expectations supported through this curriculum are Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be Kind.

In guidance, elementary counselors meet with students weekly to cover important topics described above which are reinforced in the classroom. An outline of topics to be covered is located in each grade level Curriculum Guide found on the District’s website. In District Middle Schools and High School, 21st Century Skills are taught in Homeroom.

Parents may review any curriculum. Classroom teachers are a great resource for additional information. Parents may also schedule an appointment with their student’s building principal. Curriculum guides are on the District’s website outlining topics and concepts covered.

If parents have concerns after reviewing the curriculum guides and want to opt their student out, please contact your building principal for available options.

Bennington Public Schools wants to welcome volunteers in a caring and appropriate manner. We want individuals to feel comfortable volunteering while maintaining a safe environment for our students. Click here to view these procedures and guidelines.

Bennington Public Schools has updated its Facility Use Guidelines for the 2026-27 school year. To help accommodate facility requests, youth and adult groups will register for gym space during three separate seasons: fall, winter, and spring. Each team will be limited to one practice per week, with in-season sports receiving scheduling priority.

Fall registration opens Monday, August 24 at 8:00 a.m., with openings beginning August 31. Please review the Facility Use Guidelines for scheduling information, available activities, practice times, and registration details.

The District has a District Surplus page on the website where equipment, furniture, and other district property that is no longer needed for school operations will be posted for sale. Items will be added to the page as they become available.

The Badger Stadium Scoreboard is now accepting offers. The purchasing party will be responsible for loading and hauling away the scoreboard. Visit the District Surplus page for additional information or to inquire about purchasing.

To balance student independence with safety, the following rules apply to electric scooters, bikes, e-bikes, skateboards, and similar devices on school property:

Families have the option to purchase accident insurance for their student(s) through Student Assurance Services Inc. This is an optional program and is not required of students or athletes.

Call Student Assurance Services at 800-328-2739

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.

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.