Superintendent's Office
Welcome to the 2024-25 school year. We were able to retain a great deal of our amazing staff and recruit some phenomenal people in the midst of a nation wide teacher and school staff shortage. Our directors and principals worked tirelessly to recruit staff, manage class scheduling changes, and prepare their buildings for the new school year. We are so excited to begin the 24-25 school year.
This summer was spent preparing for the new mathematics curriculum that was adopted district wide. This year BHS expanded on our current course offerings of Wildfire Science, Emergency Medical Response, Emergency Medical Tech, Construction Trades, Welding, and Computer Coding CTE offerings. CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and digital media were added to Career and Technical course offerings. Softball was added to the many athletic opportunities offered to our high school students. BHS will offer an alternative school setting this year for our students that need a flexible school setting to complete high school. BHS will also offer a language lab which will provide many foreign language options for our students at various skill levels. Our amazing music department worked with both middle and high school principals to compartmentalize vocal, theater, and band offerings. In addition to entrepreneurship, robotics, and engineering, middle school students will have the opportunity to participate in graphic design, coding, marketing, storm chasing/meteorology, web design, and JR. DECA. Middle school sports practice was added back into the school day. Our preschool enrollment is continuing to grow which led to larger classroom space that was needed. The preschool classes moved into the primary school building this summer. We are excited to welcome The Sierra School of East Central BOCES at Bennett Schools. The school is designed for students with varying disabilities and offers three program options. There are two behavior-focused options (one for K-2 and the other for 3-5) and one functional communication classroom. Last but not least, the District Offices moved to the Preschool Building to make room for alternative class offerings for our high school students.
We do have several new faces in the district positions. Please be patient with us as they learn. Please welcome Mrs. Karla Stratton as Director of Finance and Purchasing, Mrs. Tina Starman as Fiscal Services Specialist, Mrs. Bridgette Cumley as Transportation Director, Ms. Ramie Dillingham as Human Resource Officer, Ms. Sarah Prado as District Registrar, Mrs. Karina Ramirez as District Nurse, and Ms. Stacey Moler as Business Manager.
This school year marks my 32nd year in education, and although much change has occurred throughout, one mindset remains constant—our students and their achievement and well being matter most.
Speaking with honesty, thinking with sincerity, and acting with integrity continues to be emphasized and modeled as we strive to mentor these qualities in our students’ character and leadership through our districtwide RCD and PBIS Programs. This is the seventh year of using Responsibility Centered Discipline with our secondary students, and the fifth year of using the Positive Behavior Intervention Supports Program with our elementary students.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out via email, phone, or visiting us in person. Please remember that all visitors to the school district must present their ID and check in with our office staff. As always, we value input because it makes us stronger and more accountable to our stakeholders. It is truly an honor to work for Bennett School District. Thank you for the opportunity to educate your child.
Robin Purdy
Superintendent of Schools