Dear Batavia Families and Community,
Having been Superintendent of Schools since 2011, I never take a budget approval vote for granted. I am always incredibly grateful and thankful when our community approves them, so I extend a sincere thank you. Budget approval is just one sign of the confidence our community has in our schools, and I am grateful to our staff, leadership team, and Board of Education for the dedicated service they provide our families and students.
I am also pleased to welcome back to the Board of Education for another three-year term: John Reigle, Jennifer Lendvay, and Korinne Anderson. John, Jen, and Korrine have demonstrated dedication to our community and are always ready to listen and act in the best interest of our District.
Congratulations to our Boys and Girls Track teams and their coaches on their recent and well-deserved sectional title. Our student-athletes across all of our sports always represent BCSD well. I also want to congratulate our Baseball, Softball, Golf, Girls Flag Football, Lacrosse, and Boys Tennis teams on their successful seasons as well.
Congratulations to our BHS Production Club on their outstanding showing at the recent Stars of Tomorrow event. Our students earned several well-deserved accolades for their performances in Footloose! You can read more about this recognition here.
Over the past few weeks, I have received a few inquiries on the status of late arrival days for the next school year: there are NO late arrival days in our 2024-25 school calendar.
You can view the complete 2024-25 school calendar here. Please note the last day of school is subject to change based on our use of snow days and contractual language for our employees.
Speaking of the last day of school: Monday, June 24 will be the last day of school this year, and it will be an early release day. Please check with your school for the exact time of release. BHS students are still expected to observe the posted final exam schedule.
It has been a while since I updated you on our BCSD Reimagined Capital Project, which was approved by our voters in December. Currently, we are in Phase I of the project, which is roofing updates and repairs. We have also begun some detailed design work at Robert Morris, and we are tentatively expecting 5th grade to begin at John Kennedy with the onset of the 2026-2027 school year, with 2nd grade moving to Jackson and Kindergarten moving to Robert Morris. Of course, this timing is subject to change based on the pace of the project.
Finally, with the year winding down, I would encourage you as parents and families to continue to keep the positive momentum with your children as we wrap up the school year, especially for those taking Regents exams in June. Students should be studying in incremental steps (cramming seldom works), attending review classes, and getting a good night's rest before each exam.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for your support of BCSD!
Go Blue Devils!
Sincerely,
Jason A. Smith
Superintendent of Schools
(585) 343-2480, ext 1000
jasonsmith@bataviacsd.org