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Bennington board approves Synergy student information system, mower purchase; reviews budget, enrollment and construction progress
Summary
The Bennington Public Schools Board of Education voted Aug. 11 to adopt the Synergy student information system and to purchase a replacement Hustler mower, approved routine consent items, and reviewed year‑end budget figures, enrollment projections and progress on the district's second high school.
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 integrations with assessment and HR systems, and vendor implementation support. They warned the district will need to rebuild some long‑standing custom reports and factor in optional document‑storage costs for cumulative files.
Mower purchase and facilities requests The board approved a motion to purchase a Hustler mower to replace a 20‑year‑old batwing mower whose engine failed. The recommended model was priced at $26,167. Facilities staff said replacing aging equipment is part of the district’s five‑year plan.
Budget and enrollment review The board reviewed near‑final figures for fiscal year 2024–25. Staff estimated total expenses of just over $54 million and projected revenues of about $53 million, leaving an anticipated deficit near $1 million. The district reported a $5.4 million reduction in state aid this fiscal year and said cash reserves fell from roughly 25% to 23% of operating expenses.
Administrators presented enrollment and capacity projections. The district reported K–12 enrollment of about 4,427 students (pre‑K–12 just over 4,500) and a kindergarten class of 308. The high school enrollment was reported at 1,157 students (about 101% of current capacity); staff said capacity pressures should ease after the second high school opens in 2029. District officials described continuing growth at some elementary sites, stability in fully built neighborhoods, and rising middle‑school populations.
Other items discussed - Transportation: district staff reported 935 bus riders, 25 routes, a longest route (Route 37) of about 91 minutes covering roughly 31 miles, and 72 students on a waitlist for unpaid transportation fees. Staff said driver recruitment remains challenging and suggested staggered start times as a potential partial solution. - Special education: Student services staff reported an early August increase of 36 students in special education (largest increase at the middle school); final counts will be provided in October. - Summer school and staffing: administrators summarized summer programs, credit recovery and staffing hires, reporting 36 new teachers and several administrative hires for 2025–26. - Construction: the second high school site grading and tennis courts were reported at about 20–25% completion; architectural drawings were roughly 25% complete with 70% expected in early September and 100% in early October.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (approval of minutes, bills and personnel report): approved by roll call; recorded votes: Jeremy (yes), Tim (yes), Kara (yes), Joe (yes), Steve (yes), Allison (yes). - Purchase of Hustler mower ($26,167): approved by roll call; recorded votes: Jeremy (yes), Tim (yes), Kara (yes), Joe (yes), Steve (yes), Allison (yes). - Selection of Synergy as the district student information system and authorization to proceed with implementation planning (five‑year contract discussion): approved by roll call; recorded votes: Allison (yes), Jeremy (yes), Tim (yes), Kara (yes), Joe (yes), Steve (yes).
The board announced upcoming meetings, including a budget hearing on Sept. 8 and a special meeting Aug. 20 to clear final fiscal‑year bills. No executive session or formal disciplinary actions were reported during the meeting.
