Batesville Selects Eastes as Next Superintendent

The superintendent search was launched late last year after Paul Ketcham took a new job.

Katy Eastes. Photo provided.

(Batesville, Ind.) - Katy Eastes, a veteran educational leader currently serving as assistant superintendent of New Palestine Community Schools, has been selected by the Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC) Board of Trustees to be the district’s next superintendent.

This decision is pending a public hearing scheduled for noon on January 26 at the corporation’s administration building. Following the required public hearing and waiting period, the board intends to finalize a contract with Eastes.

The superintendent search was launched late last year after Paul Ketcham, former BCSC superintendent, accepted a new position at the Indiana Department of Education. Eastes was selected after several rounds of interviews with the board, as well as a meeting with a team of school administrators and staff.

Community input helped shape the BCSC school board’s vision for the corporation’s new leader. The results from a stakeholder survey favored a candidate with strengths such as communication and relationship-building skills, strategic planning experience, instructional leadership expertise, and the ability to understand our community’s culture and motivate the school team. Eastes checked every box.

“As we interviewed candidates, she impressed us from the very beginning, not only with her experience in the areas we were focusing on but with the research she had done about our schools,” shared BCSC Board of Trustees President Stephanie Davidson. “She could tell us what our accomplishments have been, what our current goals are, and how she could contribute to our future success.”

Eastes has served New Palestine for 27 years in roles ranging from classroom teacher to her current position as assistant superintendent, where she oversees staffing, human resources, special education, and key operational systems. Throughout her career, she has led innovative districtwide initiatives—including technology integration, professional learning communities, and the launch of a special education parent advisory council—while honoring community values. A frequent statewide presenter on innovative leadership, trauma-informed schools, professional development, and school law, she will complete her PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration just before assuming her new position in Batesville.

“I’m thrilled to have been selected as the next Superintendent of the Batesville Community School Corporation,” Eastes commented. “This is a school district that embraces innovation while honoring tradition. I’ve had my eye on Batesville for a long time.”

When Eastes formally begins her position in mid-to-late February, she plans to begin by listening, learning, and building strong relationships across the Batesville community. Her goals between then and the end of the school year include: developing a strong relationship with the school board; engaging all school staff through a variety of opportunities to dialogue and obtain feedback; establishing a presence in the Batesville community by participating in local and school events; and evaluating key systems to be fully informed about the current status and goals in each area.

Eastes and her husband, David, will be relocating to Batesville from New Palestine along with their dog, Cash. They are nearly empty-nesters. Their son, Dawson, is a young professional in Crawfordsville and is engaged to be married. Their daughter, Olivia, is a senior at Indiana University Bloomington, pursuing a future career as an OB/GYN. Eastes has been active in several community groups and welcomes the chance to pursue similar types of involvement when she moves to Batesville.

“My family and I are so excited to be a part of the greater Batesville community,” Eastes concluded. “I can’t wait to become a Batesville Bulldog, embracing all it means to be Bulldog Ready.”

“As a school board, we understand that these past few months have been challenging for our school team as we navigated the search for a new superintendent under a very tight timeline,” Davidson added. “Although the process was expedited, it was thorough and deliberate. We are confident that the soon-to-be Dr. Eastes will hit the ground running, leaning on her years of school leadership to guide our exceptional administrative team and school staff. We would like to thank the entire community for its input, advice, and patience as we filled this pivotal educational role.”

As required by law, the notice about the public hearing has been published on the school corporation’s website and in several local newspapers. The meeting will be held on Monday, January 26, at noon at the BCSC administration building, located behind Batesville High School, to hear comments regarding the contract. Questions regarding the public hearing on January 26 may be emailed to the school board at batesville_schools@batesville.k12.in.us. For more information about the hearing, look under “Legal Notices” at https://batesvilleinschools.com/corporation/essential-information/.