BCEF Donates $20,000 to BCSC for Flexible Learning Spaces

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A successful first-ever annual campaign conducted by the Batesville Community Education Foundation this summer has led to an initial donation of $20,000 to the Batesville Community School Corporation to purchase innovative flexible learning spaces in the public schools.

Our annual campaign offered community members the opportunity to receive engraved pavers to be installed outside the new BHS addition in return for their donation. In addition to the great response we had regarding the pavers, we also received a substantial amount of other donations from individuals and businesses which enabled us to exceed our $20,000 initial goal, raising a net total of nearly $35,000.

The first $20,000 donated by BCEF will supplement grant money received by the school corporation from the State of Indiana for installation of flexible learning spaces. Jackie Huber, BCSC Director of Instructional Curriculum, spearheaded this initiative for the schools. Instead of stationary desks, classrooms are outfitted with a variety of seating and desk options, which give teachers and students the ability to tailor the learning environment based on the type of instruction. Initially, one classroom at each of the four BCSC buildings is being transformed for the flexible learning space initiative. Teachers involved during this pilot phase are Paul Satchwill (BHS), Chase Mears (BMS), Eric Peetz (BIS), and Sandy Westerfeld (BPS).

  • Sandy Westerfeld's BPS room before
  • BPS after
  • Eric Peetz's BIS room before
  • BIS after
  • BIS after
  • Chase Mears' BMS room before
  • BMS after
  • Paul Satchwill's BHS room before
  • BHS after
  • BCEF awards $20,000 to BCSC for Flexible Learning Spaces

BCEF will still continue to award smaller curriculum and supply-focused grants, however, the flexible learning spaces initiative will receive our biggest financial commitment and will require many years of annual campaigns to help the school system pay for every classroom. Leftover funds from this year’s campaign will be earmarked at the discretion of the BCEF board once feedback from the pilot rooms is received.

Pavers sold during the annual campaign are due to be installed at BHS later this fall when the construction is nearly complete.  The possibility of selling the pavers again next summer is still being considered. Interested individuals should watch for an announcement next spring if the paver sale is repeated.