Bennington board approves Synergy student information system, mower purchase; reviews budget, enrollment and construction progress

The Bennington Public Schools Board of Education on Aug. 11 approved a plan to replace its current student information system with Synergy, approved the purchase of a replacement Hustler mower for district grounds crews and passed the meeting’s consent agenda. The board also reviewed year‑end budget estimates, enrollment projections and updates on the district’s second high school construction.

Student information system vote and timeline District staff recommended switching from the district’s current SIS to Synergy after a multi‑vendor review and on‑site demonstrations. The district presented a five‑year cost estimate of roughly $290,764; first‑year implementation costs were listed at about $69,000 with recurring annual fees thereafter. Staff said the proposal includes migration of the most recent five years of student data and set a planned implementation window to prepare through 2026 and into the 2026–27 school year.

During the discussion, staff highlighted expected benefits: a modernized user interface for families and teachers, improved reporting and…