The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees is preparing to take its next step in selecting a new district leader.

According to a district announcement released Wednesday afternoon, the board will hold a public hearing on a proposed superintendent contract Wednesday, April 29, at 5:30 p.m. That hearing will be followed by a vote on appointing the district’s next superintendent.

The action comes during a period of leadership transition for one of Indiana’s largest school districts.

Dr. Matt Kegley has been serving as interim superintendent since the resignation of Patrick Mapes, who announced March 2 that he would step down effective April 13 after about two years leading the district.

Kegley, previously the district’s deputy superintendent, was selected by the board to guide Hamilton Southeastern Schools through the transition. He is a longtime district educator and administrator who has also previously served in the interim role.

The upcoming public hearing and vote signal the board may be nearing a decision on whether to make a permanent appointment, though district officials have not publicly detailed the selection process or identified a candidate ahead of the meeting.

Hamilton Southeastern Schools, based in Fishers, serves more than 21,000 students and is among the highest-performing districts in the state, making the superintendent position one of the most prominent education leadership roles in central Indiana.

The board also has a regularly scheduled meeting set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 15