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More than 100 community members gathered Monday night to learn more about Benson Public Schools' Aug. 14 bond referendum and take a tour.  Leaders from the Community Task Force provided an overview of the process they went through to evaluate the school facilities and develop a next step plan to meet the needs of students and the community.  Click to view the slide presentation with more details.

During this first community meeting, leaders focused on the plans for a new auditorium and activity spaces. 
Future meetings will focus on another key components of the plan, including birth to elementary, school safety and collaborative learning. Click to learn more about upcoming meetings.

Overall, this project promotes the efficient use of the district's current facilities and update spaces to meet the changing needs of education. This project will add about 55,000 square feet, remove 112,000 square feet and updated a series of other spaces from early learning and elementary to junior high and high school.

Learn more about the plan.

Community at Referendum June 25 Meeting

Posted by Guest  On Jun 29, 2018 at 7:57 AM
  
Benson Public Schools released the proposed site plans and artistic rendering for the updates for junior and senior high spaces under the 2018 school bond referendum. Key components include collaborative learning environments and other spaces for junior high, an auditorium, a band room and a more secure entry.

Benson High Site Rendering

Site Plan

This aerial provides an overview of the site changes to Benson High School. The new spaces are highlighted in dark red. The remodeled spaces are highlighted in light red.

Benson Site Plan Aerial


New Space Added
The highlighted space in the site plan below shows the new space to be added at Benson High School. 

Site Plan Showing New Space



Posted by Guest  On Jun 27, 2018 at 5:12 PM
  

Benson Public Schools provides band and choir opportunities to about 350 students every day. The district engages 200 dancers, from ages 3-18, in an extensive dance program and recently had to limit our musical to 75 participants.

Last year, the arts programming took a significant hit when the district had to close its long-time theater. The ceiling on the 1928 building collapsed. It was beyond patching and the repairs that the district had done in the past. The district had to move its concerts, theater productions and dance programs to the gymnasium. The lack of an auditorium impacts the quality of the programming and led the district to limit access for students.

"Benson students have remained committed and energized," Superintendent Dennis Laumeyer said. "But we know the experiences are so limited and far from what we want to give them. We don’t want our small-town roots ever holding our students back from gaining enriched experiences that will shape them for a lifetime."

While other smaller schools and communities may have let go of fine arts opportunities, Benson has sought to enhance them. Providing quality programming for all ages has been a part of the district's history and a source of pride for the community.

"Among the thrills of my job has been watching people pour into the gymnasium and sit on bleachers to support our arts programs"Laumeyer said. "We have not had enough room for everyone and the seating has been inadequate, especially those who have accessibility limitations and our elder residents."

The 2018 bond referendum seeks to change that. It includes building a new auditorium that would seat about 600 people in comfortable theater-style environment.

Posted by Guest  On Jun 26, 2018 at 1:05 PM
  
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