Battle Creek Schools Superintendent: Better Understanding Over New Plan

A revised plan to help Battle Creek Public Schools deal with a budget deficit and declining enrollment is better understood by parents and district stakeholders as opposed to the last attempt. That's the word from Superintendent Kimberly Parker-DeVauld on the Friday April 15 Richard Piet Show on WBCK.

"I think this year was much different," Parker-DeVauld said. "People really understand where we are, and they really see a plan."

That plan calls for the closing of two elementary schools - reduced from three. Urbandale and Freemont elementaries will close; Dudley, LaMora Park and Post-Franklin will become "early learning centers" focused on early grades. Ann J. Kellogg and Verona will focus on later elementary grades 3-5.

Other initiatives will be undertaken, including the development of learning academies at Battle Creek Central High School and establishing an alternative high school.

Nevertheless, the plan doesn't completely erase a forecast budget deficit at BCPS. Hear Parker-DeVault explain the plan by clicking the player below.

Hear The Richard Piet Show weekday mornings from 5:30-9 on WBCK.