BCSC Seeks Community Input During Superintendent Search Process

Current Superintendent Paul Ketcham is leaving in January to join the Indiana Department of Education.

(Batesville, Ind.) - The Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC) School Board is initiating a formal search process to identify the next superintendent of schools, following Paul Ketcham’s announcement that he has accepted a position with the Indiana Department of Education, effective in January. As part of the recruitment process, BCSC is seeking broad community feedback through a public survey.

The school board has identified three key priorities that will guide the selection of the next superintendent: a commitment to the continuous improvement of the school corporation as a whole; dedication to the continued implementation and advancement of the Bulldog Ready initiative across all grade levels; and the capacity to serve as a strong, visible leader within the corporation, the community, and the State of Indiana. To ensure a comprehensive search, the Board will partner with the University Search Team, a firm specializing in school superintendent recruitment. Internal candidates who qualify will also be considered.

RELATED: Ketcham to Transition from BCSC to Statewide Leadership Role

A public stakeholder survey will be conducted during the application period to gather input regarding the qualities and priorities the community values most in the next superintendent. All BCSC parents/guardians, employees, and community members are encouraged to complete the survey by visiting https://indstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9pJhanByDaNzCTQ. A link to the survey will also be accessible through the BCSC website. The survey will remain open for approximately two weeks. Survey results will play a critical role in how the Board evaluates and interviews candidates and will also be shared with district leadership to support ongoing continuous improvement efforts.

The superintendent job listing will remain open for applications until November 30, with selected candidate interviews expected to take place shortly after. The Board intends to identify a final candidate by the end of the calendar year, with the goal of the new superintendent beginning service near the start of the spring semester.

“The selection of our next superintendent is one of the most significant responsibilities of the BCSC School Board,” said School Board President Stephanie Davidson. “We are committed to a thorough and thoughtful search process, and community input is essential. We strongly encourage all members of the Batesville community to participate in this survey so that the Board’s decision reflects the values and aspirations of the people we serve.”

Questions regarding the search process may be emailed to the school board at batesville_schools@batesville.k12.in.us. For more information about the school board, visit https://batesvilleinschools.com/corporation/school-board/.