The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on August 10, 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.

Building and district administrators provided reports to the Board of Education. Click here to view the agenda with each report 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:

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Families may pay an annual, non-refundable fee of $20 for their student’s Chromebook. This fee provides for an 80% discount on up to four (4) repairs that must be conducted on the student’s Chromebook during the school year. 

After four (4) repairs in one school year, families will be responsible for 100% of the repair cost. Families who choose not to participate in the cooperative loss program will be responsible for the full cost of the repair each time.

With or without the cooperative loss agreement, damage that results in a complete loss of the Chromebook will result in a damage bill for the full replacement cost of the device.

The following table lists the costs for each event. Note that parts availability and pricing is subject to change. The information provided is accurate as of the most recent edition of this handbook.

Repairs due to defects in workmanship or warranty service will be facilitated by the Technology Department.

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.

*LB966 - The cost of a school lunch and breakfast meal for reduced-price eligible students is $0.00. Nebraska’s Hunger-Free Schools Act pays for the household cost of reduced-price meals for the school year 2026-2027.

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.

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.

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.