Dear Batavia Families and Community,

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! This week, we are proud to celebrate the incredible teachers across the Batavia City School District who show up every day with dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to our students. Thank you for all you do to shape the future, one student at a time.

Next week, our 2025-26 Annual Report and Budget Newsletter will arrive in your mailbox. You can also click here to view the newsletter on our website. We are proud to have showcased the varied academic and extracurricular programs offered across the Batavia City School District throughout the year. We all have much to be proud of, and thank you for playing your important role in our achievements!

Our BCSD Reimagined Capital Project is well underway, and all signs point to our grade level realignment for the 2026-27 school year:

• Grade 5 to John Kennedy Intermediate
• Grade 2 to Jackson Primary
• Kindergarten to Robert Morris

This has been an especially challenging budget year, as we are no doubt seeing in our homes with rising costs. Therefore, our Board of Education takes its role as stewards of our District with great pride and a strong sense of purpose. At the same time, as they collaborate with the District and oversee the budget process, our Board also recognizes the balance between high-quality programs and upholding fiscal responsibility to our community, of which they and I are proud members.

We are proud to propose the 2026-27 budget that:

• Preserves all academic and extracurricular programs
• Aligns with and fully supports our Strategic Plan
• Places student achievement as the top priority, including our students' social and emotional learning needs
• A proposed tax levy of 2%, less than the 2.8% allowable tax cap

On Monday, May 11 at 6pm in the Board Room at Batavia High School, I will present the proposed 2026-27 budget at the annual Budget Hearing, which will include a question-and-answer period.

I also invite our community to join us for Meet the Candidates Night on Tuesday, May 12, at 6:00 PM at Batavia Middle School. Moderator Dan Fischer, former owner of WBTA, will speak with the three candidates running for two open seats on our Board of Education: Catrina DeJaneiro-Hansen, Zach Korzelius, and Matt Warren. An audience Q&A will follow.

Voting Information for Tuesday, May 19

Batavia residents will vote on the 2026-27 BCSD budget and elect two candidates for three-year terms on the Board of Education.

Polls will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:

• Residents living north of Route 5 (Main Street) will vote at John Kennedy Intermediate, 166 Vine Street.
• Residents living south of Route 5 (Main Street) will vote at Batavia High School, 260 State Street (BHS Library).

Please note: those who normally vote at Robert Morris will vote at John Kennedy this year.

I would also like to thank outgoing Board of Education members Alice Ann Benedict and Barbara Bowman for their service to our BCSD community.

Alice Ann Benedict has more than 20 years of service to our Board and District, serving as our Board President in the past. A Batavia native and BHS Class of '72 alum, Alice Ann has true Batavia Blue Devil pride and has been a staunch and proud supporter of our programs, staff, families, and students. Thank you, Alice Ann!

Barbara Bowman served on our Board of Education for three consecutive terms, nine years, and has been a steadfast advocate for the students and staff of our Batavia community. As a grandmother of students in our District, Barbara has kept a watchful eye and steady approach to her duties as a Board of Education member. Thank you, Barbara!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have about the 2026-27 budget. 

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. It continues to be a personal and professional pleasure to serve our students, staff, and families as the Superintendent of Schools for the Batavia City School District.

Jason Smith
BCSD Superintendent of Schools