By Stacy Hawn, Bennington Public Schools
Updates & Reports Presented to the Board of Education
Building and district administrators provided reports to the Board of Education. Click here to view the agenda with each report attached.
Reports included:
- Overview for elementary, middle school and high school
- Student Services
- Operations
- Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment
Dr. Plas Provided a Monthly Update to the Board
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:
- Budget Preview
- Enrollment
- Timeline for Budget Process
- New Teacher Induction Program
Revisions to Board Policies Approved
The Board of Education discussed and considered revising policies at the June 8th meeting and approved those revisions at the July 13th meeting. The revisions are mandated by approved bills from the most recent legislative session. The Policy Committee recommended changes to policies.
- Policy 1007.00 Education Agency Relations
- Policy 804.02 Data or Records Retention
- Policy 605.07 Part-time Enrollment
- Policy 502.06 Transfers Out
- Policy 502.02 Nonresident Students Option Enrollment/Policy 502.02R1 Regulatory Document
- Policy 503.01 Compulsory Attendance
- Policy 505.03 Suspension and Expulsion
- Policy 611.07 Graduation Requirements
- Policy 203.01 Organizational Meeting
- Policy 204.07 Meeting Notice
Special Meeting for the Student Fee & Parental Involvement Policies
The Board of Education held a special meeting to discuss, consider, and receive input on the Student Fee Policy and the Parental Involvement Policy. Click here to view the agenda from this hearing.
During the Regular Board of Education meeting on July 13th, the Student Fee and Parental Involvement Policies Policy were approved.
Board Approved the Resolution Outlining Required Staff Trainings
The Board approved the presented resolution outlining required staff trainings during the 2026-27 school year. The District will designate the appropriate staff to take the below required training sessions.
- Dating Violence Prevention (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-2,141) for approximately 34 minutes
- Suicide Prevention (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-2,146) for approximately 60 minutes
- Threat Assessment (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-3105) for approximately 90 minutes
- Behavior Point of Contact (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-3603) for approximately 60 minutes
- Behavioral Intervention, Classroom/Behavior Management, and Removal of a Student from a Classroom (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-262.01) for approximately 15 minutes
- Behavioral Awareness Training (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-3602) for approximately 60 minutes for new staff and 75 minutes for current staff (Next due for all staff in 2027-28)
Pay for Substitutes Approved for the 2026-27 School Year
The Board of Education approved the District to maintain the pay rates for short-term substitutes to $175 per day and for long-term substitutes to $190 per day after 10 consecutive days of substituting for the same teacher. Prior to this decision, the District looked at other school districts across the area and we are confident that we are offering a competitive wage for substitutes.
The District will also continue to add retention bonuses of $300 to substitute staff that work 60% or more days during the days after Thanksgiving (for 1st semester) and after March 31 (for 2nd semester). Each semester, they are eligible for a $300 bonus.
Board Approves Stadium Videoboard Partnership
The Board of Education approved a MOU with the BPS Foundation to install a new videoboard at the stadium at Bennington High School. The Foundation will contribute $300,000 toward the approximately $390,000 project, with the District providing the remaining funds that had already been designated for a scoreboard replacement. The new videoboard will enhance the experience for students, families, and the community during football games, track meets, soccer matches, band events, and other activities, while also creating opportunities for student learning, community engagement, and future revenue generation through the Foundation in advertisements and sponsorships.
