LM May 2026

Mary Vogt Superintendent of Bement CUSD #5, Abe Lincoln Region

When Mary Vogt interviewed for the superintendent position at Bement CUSD #5 in 2021 before officially starting in 2022, she made the Board a promise: if they were happy with her and she was happy with them, she planned to retire from there in seven years. Vogt came to Bement after 17 years as a principal in Monticello. The personal connection drew her— Vogt’s great-grandparents had moved to Bement from Ireland in the early 1900s, and several family members had graduated from Bement schools. “I pulled out a 1933 autograph book from when my grandma was a freshman in high school in Bement,” Vogt said. “I let the Board know this was a full-circle moment for me.” She quickly learned that being a first-time superinten dent meant discovering things she hadn’t anticipat ed. The district was still recovering from financial mismanagement two superintendents prior. Vogt’s immediate predecessor had worked to stabilize finances and correct misinformation in the community, but infrastructure and technology needs remained.

Teacher desktop computers had been in class rooms since 2014. When remote learning became necessary, teachers relied on personal devices because the district hadn’t issued laptops. Internet speeds were too slow for educational technology. Devices lacked storage. The facilities needed attention as well. The original part of the building dated to 1899 and required tuckpointing. Roofs needed replacement throughout campus. The gymnasium—which served K-12 PE and hosted graduations—had never been air conditioned. “Even though the systems and facilities were not what I expected, I still wanted to honor my commit ment to the Board,” Vogt said. “The Board believed in the vision, and that belief fueled everything we’ve accomplished.” With Board support and leftover ESSER III funding, Vogt began addressing the infrastructure gaps. The district completed a full network overhaul with complete rewiring, installed fiber connectivity, and upgraded all classroom technology. Teachers received laptops they could take home, replacing the

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