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Batesville School Board approves 2026–27 calendar, extends superintendent contract and okays policy, facilities and catalog items
Summary
At its Feb. 9 meeting the Batesville School District Board unanimously approved Option 2 for the 2026–27 school calendar, ASBA policy updates, a resolution under Act 731 on transfers, renderings for Pioneer Park, the BJHSC course catalog, personnel items and a contract extension for Superintendent Ginni McDonald to 2028–29.
The Batesville School District Board of Directors met Feb. 9, 2026 and, by unanimous votes, approved a slate of administrative and policy actions including the 2026–27 school calendar, model-policy updates and a multi-item consent agenda.
Board President Scott Fredricks called the meeting to order and the board approved the Regular Agenda before moving through recognitions and consent items. By motion of Heather Fulbright, seconded by Andy Walmsley, the board approved the Consent Agenda, which included minutes from a prior meeting, the personnel report, financial advisement items and contract addendums; the motion carried 7–0.
Administration recommended Option 2 for the 2026–27 school calendar, citing staff and stakeholder feedback and separate votes from certified and classified committees. Director Chris Milum moved to adopt Option 2; Heather Fulbright seconded and the motion carried 7–0.
The board approved updates to ASBA model policies 4.4, 4.45.1 and 4.47 after Mr. David Campbell presented the recommended language. The board also passed a resolution implementing transfer procedures under Act 731, authorizing the superintendent to approve transfer petitions and directing that denials be referred to the board for final action.
Trustees approved the final renderings for Pioneer Park at Pioneer Stadium and accepted the Batesville Junior High School Charter (BJHSC) 2026–27 course catalog. The catalog lists accelerated pathways and several courses for high school credit, including Algebra I, English I and Physical Science.
In an executive-session item on the superintendent evaluation, the board moved to extend Dr. Ginni McDonald’s contract through the 2028–29 school year; the motion was made by Heather Fulbright and seconded by Andy Walmsley and carried 7–0. The meeting packet also included a letter terminating the district’s service agreement with First Security Beardsley for financial advisement effective no later than June 30, 2026; that paperwork appeared in meeting documents presented to the board.
Most votes recorded in the minutes show all seven directors—Karen Beller, Dwight Ford, Scott Fredricks, Heather Fulbright, Chris Milum, Josh Swinea and Andy Walmsley—voting "Yea." The board adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Next steps: approved items will move to implementation by district administration as indicated in meeting materials; the superintendent and responsible administrators will carry out calendar publication, policy updates and facility planning work.
