On Thursday, Batesville School Superintendent Dr. Ken James updated the district on various projects, developments, and achievements as opening day approaches.
Construction project
James said cooperative weather has helped move along construction for the Performing Arts Center on the Batesville High School Charter (BHSC) campus. The superintendent noted that the steelwork is progressing well, and the project is on track for completion in fall 2025. When James arrived in March, the $47 million project was about $2 million short and a month behind schedule.
With the ongoing construction, James said parking for the upcoming football season will be “extremely limited” on the BHSC campus during home games. As a result, the district will provide bus transportation from the junior high and senior high parking lot areas to the entry points of Pioneer Stadium. Buses will begin transporting patrons at 5 p.m. each day of home football games.
Budget
Since joining the district, James said he has been very engaged in examining the budget and preparing for the 2024-25 budget year.
The superintendent stated that 22 full-time positions have been eliminated from next year’s budget through attrition, resignations, and staff adjustments.
“The cost savings from eliminating 22 full-time positions amount to a savings of $1,269,669.00 to our salary fund for the 2024-25 school year,” James noted in the update. “We are hopeful that the majority of these funds can be applied to our building fund for our construction project (the Performing Arts Center) at BHSC.”
James said proceeds from the recent sale of the district-owned Gaston House will also be applied to the building fund.
The superintendent mentioned that the district will continue to look for potential cost-saving opportunities in the budget.
“My pledge to you is that we will be good stewards of taxpayer resources,” James said in the update.
Enrollment and exam scores
James noted that the district has registered 130 new students since his arrival, and he’s hopeful the new school year will bring an overall enrollment increase.
Students and teachers were also congratulated on the recent advanced placement exam scores, which James said mostly exceeded state and global averages.
National readers graded the exams, and district students outperformed their peers across the country, James noted.
The opening day for Batesville School District classes is Wednesday, Aug. 14.
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