There is a Special Board of Education meeting on Monday, August 25th at 5:00 p.m. at the District Office. This meeting is for the Board to vote on end of year bills. This meeting is open to the public and will be streamed live through the District YouTube channel.

Following the meeting, the Board of Education will discuss the District Strategic Plan.

The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on September 8, 2025, 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:

The Board was also approved the purchase of a new lawn mower. This was to replace the 20-year-old mower that broke down in June. This mower is used to maintain fields throughout the District.

The Board received an update on the 2024-25 budget from Dr. Plas. He shared what the projected general fund expenditures and revenue are for 2024-25. 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 7, 2025. The first chart provided showed the total enrollment (K-12) at 4,427 students. Along with current numbers, he provided historical numbers to show the percentage of growth increase. For the 2025-2026 school year the district has 3.65% 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 110% capacity in 2026-2027. With projected enrollment, the chart shows that our elementary schools will be at 90% capacity in 2029-2030. With South Middle School opening in 2022, our middle schools have room for projected enrollment growth.

The Board of Education approved the agreement for BPS switch to a new student information system (SIS). BPS will be transitioning to Synergy by Edupoint, beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. This transition marks a significant step forward in how we manage student data and how families and staff interact with the systems that support learning.

For many years, BPS has used NebSIS, a locally developed platform that has served us well. After a comprehensive review process, including feedback from teachers, administrators, and technical staff, Synergy was selected for its ability to offer:

The transition will take place over the 2025–2026 school year, with full implementation in place by the fall of 2026. Our technology and academic teams will be working closely with the Synergy implementation specialists to ensure a smooth and seamless rollout.

We are confident this change will bring long-term benefits to our entire school community and enhance the way we connect, communicate, and support student success.

As the new school year begins, please be aware that there is ongoing road construction in the Bennington area, which might slow things down during drop-off and pick-up. To make things smoother, try leaving a bit earlier, take your time, and stay patient. Thanks for helping keep everyone safe out there!

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 to assist in creating and maintaining safe working environments for all.

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 8th and will end on August 22nd at 4 p.m. After August 22nd, payments for snack milk will no longer be accepted. 

If you do not purchase snack milk by August 22nd 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.

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.

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.