Bennington Public Schools elects officers, affirms 2026 organizational policies

The Bennington Public Schools board held its annual organizational meeting, electing Allison Slobatsky as board president and approving the district’s 2026 slate of officers.

Unidentified Speaker (Speaker 1) nominated Allison Slobatsky for president; after a motion to close nominations the board conducted a roll-call vote and approved Slobatsky. Allison Slobatsky responded, "Thank you. Appreciate everybody's support." The board subsequently nominated and approved Tim Dreesen as vice president and completed elections for treasurer and secretary.

The board reaffirmed its published board practices, handbooks and regulations in a single motion. Administrators recommended keeping I3 Bank (formerly Bank of Bennington) as the district depository and naming three newspapers of record — Daily Record, Omaha World-Herald and the Douglas-Sarpy County Post-Gazette — to give the district flexibility for legal notices and differing print deadlines. The board also reviewed a media relations practice and the code of ethics and reminded members to complete annual conflict-of-interest disclosures.

Officials approved the consent agenda, which included the agenda, minutes from the Dec. 8 regular meeting, presentation of January bills and the personnel report. The consent agenda also noted recent technology purchases (MacBooks and Chromebooks) and expenses tied to contracted bus routes.

The meeting closed the organizational portion by announcing committee assignments for 2026 and asking for any further questions or needed clarifications; none were raised. The board set its next meeting for Feb. 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the district office.