Bennington board calls special $112 million bond election for second high school; approves $2 million defeasance to cut debt

The Bennington Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to call a special mailed-ballot election on March 11, 2025, asking qualified district voters to approve up to $112,000,000 in general-obligation school building bonds to finance construction of a second high school and related facilities. At the same meeting the board also approved redeeming portions of its 2019 general obligation bond series early, using about $2 million of general-fund cash to reduce future debt service by an estimated $410,089.

The bond proposal would fund a project with a total estimated cost of $124,645,829, according to the administration’s presentation. The planned new high school would be roughly 240,000 square feet on property near 180th and Military Boulevard. The district plans to apply roughly $12.6 million from reserves—primarily the special building fund—to lower the amount financed by the bond issue. District finance staff said the plan does not require a tax-rate increase; the board’s financial model…