Hamilton Southeastern Schools administrators are expressing “cautious optimism” as the district begins negotiating a new contract with the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association for the 2026-27 school year.
The tone is markedly different from last year, when the divide between administrators and the teachers union was wide. HSEA members rejected an initial tentative agreement, sending negotiations into mediation. The final one-year contract provided no base salary or experience-based step increases, while higher health insurance premiums reduced take-home pay for many teachers.
In recent podcasts, HSE Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown and Superintendent Matt Kegley both used the phrase “cautious optimism” to describe the prospects for reaching a better agreement this year.
The change in district leadership also provides a different backdrop for the talks. Kegley, a longtime HSE administrator, became superintendent in April. During the public hearing on his appointment, HSEA President Tyler Zerbe said the union appreciated a recent shift in tone and was optimistic the two sides could move forward together.
A required pre-bargaining public hearing Wednesday, Sept. 2, drew no public testimony. The HSEA bargaining team also made no public statement during the hearing.
Kegley described the parties’ initial informal discussions as “productive” and said he was looking forward to the next bargaining session.
Formal negotiating sessions are scheduled for Oct. 5 and Oct. 7, followed by a two-hour follow-up session Oct. 8.
If the parties reach a tentative agreement in time, it would be presented at the Oct. 14 HSE School Board meeting. The board could then vote on ratification Oct. 28.
Indiana’s teacher-bargaining calendar allows informal talks before Sept. 15 and requires a public hearing before formal negotiations begin. A ratified agreement generally must be submitted to the state by Nov. 15; otherwise, the process moves into mandatory impasse procedures.
“The administration of Hamilton Southeastern Schools is looking forward to the bargaining process and is committed to bargaining in good faith,” Kegley said Wednesday evening.
Beyond those general comments, neither side publicly identified the compensation, benefits or other contract issues expected to be at the center of this year’s negotiations.