As we enter the 2025/26 fiscal year, we find ourselves at a meaningful crossroads: not just thinking about where we’re going—but where we’ll grow our greatest PreK– 12 impact.
For more than 30 years, the BPS Foundation has been committed to supporting students, staff, and families in the Bennington Public Schools District. Our mission is rooted in education and community, and as our programs have expanded, so has the need for a physical space that supports that growth.
Why Now?
Since 1992, the BPS Foundation has evolved from a small, volunteer-led organization to one that employs five full-time staff to manage over $350,000 in annual impact. As the District continues to grow, so does our programming. That growth has prompted us to assess whether our current space still meets our needs—or if it’s time to find a new home.
Exploring Options & Need
One emerging opportunity has captured our attention: Could we create a dual-purpose space that not only houses the Foundation but also serves the District in a meaningful way—like a preschool?
Currently, the District operates a preschool at Anchor Pointe Elementary, which can only serve students who qualify for IEPs. Beyond that, there are just four licensed preschools in the Bennington area, with a combined capacity to serve only 138 students. Yet according to 2020 Census data, 875 preschool-aged children reside in Bennington. With the Bennington community growing at an estimated 3.5% annual rate, that number is likely even higher today. This gap presents a clear opportunity for the BPS Foundation to step in and make a meaningful impact in the District’s capacity for early childhood development.
During the 24/25 fiscal year, we invested significant time and energy in research of this opportunity.
Our team visited and consulted with six school foundations and early childhood centers across the Omaha metro and broader Nebraska area to learn from those who have navigated similar decisions. We asked: What worked? What didn’t? How did you fund it? Is it sustainable?
At the same time, we’re looking carefully at all options, including:
- Staying where we are, in the BPS District Office
- Renting office space somewhere in Bennington
- Building a small, functional office space to allow for growth
Each path has potential. And each comes with its own set of financial and operational considerations.
Finding the Answers: A Feasibility Study
To determine the most logical, sustainable next step, we’ve partnered with Anne Constantino Consulting Firm, a leader in nonprofit fundraising, planning and strategy. Together, we are conducting a formal feasibility study to assess what’s possible—financially and logistically.
This study will help us answer key questions:
- Is this a true need of the community?
- Can we raise enough money to build a preschool through grants and private donations?
- Can a preschool sustain itself financially with tuition and staffing?
The study will run from August – September 2025. We will be reaching out to donors, parents, current preschool leaders in the area and community leaders to get input. A formal “Go/No Go” decision will be made by November 2025.
At the heart of this process is our unwavering commitment to Bennington Public Schools. Every decision we make is in service of our mission—to promote excellence in education for ALL students by providing resources to inspire learning, enrich teaching and maximize opportunities.
Where we are physically may be changing. But why we exist never will.
This year is about charting the course. We’re excited to see where it leads—and we look forward to taking the journey with you.
