Officials from the Batesville School District and the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce at last week’s ribbon-cutting for the district’s new Mobile Hub School Bus. (Above image provided by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce; all others via the Batesville School District.)
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce joined the Batesville School District, community partners, and local leaders last week to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the district’s new Mobile Hub School Bus.
The launch marks an outreach initiative designed to deliver educational resources, support services, and supplies directly to neighborhoods across the community.
“We are always excited to be a part of Batesville School District’s growth and progress,” said Amanda Roberts, membership engagement specialist with the Chamber. “Today represents something truly meaningful for area students and families.”
Interim Superintendent David Campbell called the bus a “labor of love” from students, staff, partners, and supporters, saying he is confident it will create new opportunities for families across Batesville.
Ann Walmsley, representing Batesville Community Schools, said the bus extends the school’s reach beyond its walls.
“This isn’t just a bus — it’s an opportunity,” Walmsley said. “We are meeting families where they are and strengthening connections across Batesville.”
Walmsley recognized contributors, including the Batesville High School EAST Program and facilitator Lori Campbell, student Bentley Hughes, Spartan Motors, RAWK Imprinting, Save the Children, and several local partners and volunteers.
Wiley Osborne of Spartan Motors said the project addresses real barriers for families. The bus will carry food, clothing, school supplies, and health services into the community, he said.
Hughes, an EAST program student, described how the team used SketchUp and Adobe Illustrator to design the bus interior. The project received recognition in the Fay Jones Architecture Competition.
The bus is stocked with books, school supplies, hygiene products, baby essentials, and materials for arts and educational programming. It will also support food distribution.
The Mobile Hub has already been used for kindergarten registration. Future schedules and locations will be announced by the school district. For information on participating in Mobile Hub events, call 870-793-6831. For Chamber membership information, call 870-793-2378, ext. 13.
Ambassadors in attendance include: Aaron Herndon (Citizens Bank), Alex McClain (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Brandi Curbo (Batesville Guard), Brandon Lackey (Southern Bank), Brenda Rivera (First Community Bank), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), Crystal Kimmer (White River Health), Eva Henriksen (Citizens Bank), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Lori Campbell (Batesville Schools), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care), Megan Strother (George’s Inc.), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Silje Antonsen (First Community Bank), and Taylor Williams (First Community Bank).
Ann Walmsley (right), representing Batesville Community School, gives First Community Bank’s Pat Rutherford a tour of the new Batesville School District Mobile Hub.
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