After several days of speculation, the Hamilton Southeastern School District is prepared to make it official — Dr. Matt Kegley will become the district’s next superintendent. That is according to documents posted as part of Wednesday night’s school board meeting.
The HSE Board of School Trustees is expected to formalize the appointment following a public hearing, elevating Kegley from his current role as interim superintendent. He has been serving in that capacity since mid-April following the resignation of former superintendent Patrick Mapes.
Kegley is a familiar figure within the district. He is in his 20th year with HSE Schools and has spent three decades in education. His career in Fishers includes leadership roles as principal at Riverside Junior High and Hamilton Southeastern High School, along with time in district administration.
Before coming to HSE, Kegley worked as a teacher, assistant principal and athletic director. He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from Indiana University and both a specialist and doctoral degree from Ball State University.
This is not Kegley’s first time stepping into the district’s top job on an interim basis. He also served as interim superintendent in 2023 following the resignation of then-superintendent Yvonne Stokes. His appointment to the permanent role signals the board’s preference for continuity during a period of leadership turnover.
HSE has experienced multiple superintendent changes in recent years. Stokes stepped down in September 2023, Mapes was hired in early 2024, and his resignation was announced in March of this year, effective April 13.
Under the proposed contract terms outlined in a public notice, Kegley’s agreement would run through June 30, 2028. The contract calls for a base salary of $205,000 annually, with the possibility of increases following board evaluations. Additional compensation includes a 10 percent district contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan, along with monthly allowances for a vehicle and technology.
Kegley takes over at a time when the district continues to emphasize academic performance and long-term planning initiatives. HSE leaders have highlighted recent gains in areas such as early literacy and graduation rates, along with ongoing efforts tied to the district’s strategic plan.
The district also faces challenges related to changes in the financial structure of Indiana school funding. The board is expected to soon consider whether to pursue a new operating referendum and, if so, what property tax rate to present to voters.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools serves more than 21,000 students and employs approximately 2,500 staff members, making it the largest employer in the City of Fishers.
Kegley and his family have been Fishers residents since 2007. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children, all graduates of Hamilton Southeastern High School.