Members of the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association have approved a new 2026-27 contract with Hamilton Southeastern Schools, with 97% of voting members backing the agreement.

The HSE school board held a public hearing on the contract Wednesday night. No one from the public spoke.

Craig Frawley, co-chair of the HSEA bargaining team, praised the negotiations during the hearing.

“Having worked here for 12 years, Dr. (Matt) Kegley is the fourth superintendent I have worked under. I truly believe this is the smoothest process since I’ve been here,” Frawley told the board.

The school board is scheduled to vote on ratification Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m., the final step in the approval process.

The agreement would raise eligible teachers’ base salaries by $1,225. Teachers would get another $603 if voters approve the district’s replacement operating referendum Nov. 3, for a combined increase of $1,828. Teacher salaries did not change last year.

To qualify for the raise, teachers must have worked at least 120 days during the 2025-26 school year and still be employed by HSE when the contract is ratified.

Starting pay for teachers hired after ratification would rise by $750, or $1,000 if the referendum passes. Teachers hired for 2026-27 before ratification would receive a $500 adjustment to their starting base salaries.

Other compensation provisions include:

• A $200 payment for teachers with a confirmed early literacy endorsement.
• A $4,000 supplemental payment for employees who earned a master’s degree between Dec. 15, 2024, and ratification.
• A $500 payment for qualifying employees who started between Jan. 1, 2026, and the end of the 2025-26 school year but otherwise would not qualify for the general raise.

The contract also addresses teacher safety. Teachers physically harmed by a student, or the target of a credible threat of violence, would receive paid administrative leave for the rest of the school day. Before returning to class, the teacher and building administrator would meet to discuss safety concerns, with a safety plan developed when appropriate.

Starting June 30, 2027, teachers would receive 14 paid time off days each school year, to be used before accumulated sick leave. The sick leave bank would allow approval of up to 90 days with a doctor’s note.

Beginning in 2027, married couples who are both HSE teachers would share a $20,000 pool for additional health savings account contributions. The district also cited new health insurance rates representing an investment of nearly $2.5 million.

The agreement adds extracurricular pay for high school esports, a student entrepreneurial class sponsor and a high school guidance department chair.

The full tentative agreement is available on the district’s public notices page.