December 8, 2023
Dear Batavia Families and Community,
The snow is falling as I write this update…I attended the first of many holiday concerts this past week—where our John Kennedy 3rd and 4th Grade Chorus sang beautifully—and the Buffalo Bills are in the playoff “hunt,” so all this must mean only one thing: December is here! I hope you enjoyed the recent Thanksgiving holiday and recess and are looking forward to the joys of the season.
While I have much to update you on, which I will do again on December 22, the bulk of this update will be centered around our upcoming capital project vote, aptly named BCSD Reimagined: Shaping our Schools For The Future. This will be a shorter update than usual, as I encourage you to explore the links and videos below.
Essentially, the project focuses on three key goals: safety improvements, needed repairs and upgrades to our schools, including Robert Morris, and the realignment of grade levels across Batavia Middle School, John Kennedy Intermediate, Jackson Primary, and Robert Morris.
This project, pending approval, will come at NO ADDITIONAL EXPENSE to our community, as we are maximizing state aid and our capital reserves. This is explained in detail in the links and material below.
By now, all residents should have received a copy of BCSDNews in the mail, where the entire project is highlighted in detail. Click here to view the November 2023 newsletter.
Do you prefer a more concise version? Then check out this one-page Fact Sheet.
How about a video? Last week, we released our official BCSD Reimagined Video, where members from our leadership team and Board of Education review key project highlights.
I also want to share the presentation that has been shown to our school-based parent groups, staff meetings, and public hearings.
Finally, you can watch the video from our first public hearing on Tuesday, November 28.
Here’s when and where to vote:
BCSD Reimagined Capital Project Referendum Vote
Thursday, December 14
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
For residents living north of Route 5 (Main Street), vote at:
Robert Morris, 80 Union Street (Multipurpose Room)
For residents living south of Route 5 (Main Street), vote at:
Batavia High School, 260 State Street (High School Library)
As a social studies teacher by trade, I would be remiss not to remind all our citizens to exercise their right to vote on Thursday, December 14.
We are proud of this project and are excited about the opportunities, enhancements, and improvements it will bring to our community and district.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me via the contact information below.
Have a wonderful December, and I look forward to sharing a more traditional update on December 22.
Thank you.
Jason A. Smith
Superintendent of Schools
585-343-2480, ext 1000
jasonsmith@bataviacsd.org