By Marisa Dawson
The Bennington Board of Education convened on January 12 for a regular meeting that featured officer elections, committee appointments, financial updates, and significant progress on the district’s ongoing growth and planning efforts.
The board elected its leadership team for the year, with Allyson Slobotski selected as President, Tim Dreessen as Vice President, Jeremy Dick as Treasurer, and Steve Shannon as Secretary. Following the elections, President Slobotski appointed members to key committees, including Policy (Slobotski, Shannon, Dick), Curriculum & Americanism (Joe Pick, Kara Neuverth, Shannon), Building & Finance (Dick, Dreessen, Slobotski), and BPS Foundation Board Liaison (Pick).
Administrators presented comprehensive reports on topics ranging from elementary, middle, and high school overviews to student services, operations, curriculum, transportation, facilities, and a special spotlight on safety and security. Superintendent Dr. Aaron Plas delivered a monthly update covering chronic absenteeism, legislative developments, the teacher shortage, and School Board Recognition Week (January 25-31).
The district continues to show positive trends in attendance, with chronic absenteeism dropping to 6.88% in the 2024-25 school year from a peak of 10.58% in 2021-22.
The board approved additional curriculum and personnel proposals for the 2026-27 school year, following reviews by the Curriculum Committee. These approvals build on prior decisions, utilizing fund reallocations and reimbursements to support prioritized initiatives among the 50 proposals considered. A proposed calendar for the 2027-28 school year was discussed and is slated for a final vote in February.
Above is the approved proposal
Dr. Plas presented the 2025-26 cash flow report, emphasizing the district’s financial stability through reliance on property taxes and state aid, healthy reserve funds (Depreciation Fund at $5,234,235 and Special Building Fund at $7,619,324), and strong projections that avoid the need for borrowing. Reserves remain near the state-recommended maximum of 25% of the general fund budget.
The board also approved the district’s new Strategic Plan, which outlines three core goals: Growth and Community, Academic Excellence, and Recruitment and Retention. These goals will guide priorities starting in the 2026-27 school year.
Significant progress was reported on the second high school project, with the board approving a bid package totaling $44,814,508 (coming in $286,339 under the pre-construction estimate). This advances approximately 85% of the project’s construction bids.
The district’s rapid growth was further highlighted in the annual housing report, which noted 255 homes added in 2025 (similar to 256 in 2024), 180 homes under construction, and substantial platted lots and rental units in development.
Information and graphics for this article were provided by BPS Communications Coordinator Stacy Hawn. The full meeting agenda, including attached presentations and reports, is available on the Bennington Public Schools website (Click here to view the agenda with each presentation attached.).
