The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees with Superintendent Matt Kegley. (From left) Ben Orr, Sarah Parks-Reese, Tiffany Pascoe, Supt. Kegley, Dawn Lang, Dr. Juanita Albright, Suzanne Thomas, and Latrica Schooley. (Photo provided by HSE Schools)
Submitted by Hamilton Southeastern Schools
The Hamilton Southeastern Board of School Trustees unanimously voted Wednesday evening, April 29 to appoint Dr. Matt Kegley as superintendent of HSE Schools, following a public hearing held earlier on the proposed superintendent’s contract held.
Dr. Kegley is a familiar and trusted leader within HSE Schools. He most recently served as deputy superintendent and stepped into the role of interim superintendent during the district’s leadership transition. He brings 30 years of experience in education, including 20 years serving HSE Schools.
Board President Tiffany Pascoe issued the following statement:
“The Board of School Trustees is proud to appoint Dr. Matt Kegley as Superintendent of Hamilton Southeastern Schools. Dr. Kegley brings a deep understanding of our district, a proven record of leadership, and strong, trusted relationships across our schools and community. His steady guidance during times of transition has demonstrated both his capability and his commitment to those we serve.
“He has long been an invaluable contributor to the success of HSE Schools, and we are grateful for his dedication to our students, staff, and families. We are confident that he will build upon the strong foundation already in place while guiding our district toward continued growth and excellence.
“We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our staff and families for their patience, understanding, and continued support throughout this period of transition. Your partnership is essential to the strength and success of our schools.
“On behalf of the Board, we extend our sincere congratulations to Dr. Kegley and his family on this well-deserved appointment. We look forward with optimism and confidence to the future under his leadership.”
Throughout his career in HSE, Dr. Kegley has held several leadership roles across the district, including principal of Riverside Junior High School and Hamilton Southeastern High School, before moving into district administration. He also served as interim superintendent in 2023 and most recently helped support the district during its leadership transition.
“I am honored by the opportunity to continue serving Hamilton Southeastern Schools as superintendent,” said Dr. Matt Kegley. “Our district is built on strong partnerships among students, staff, families, and the community, and I remain committed to supporting the important work happening in our classrooms every day.”
Dr. Kegley is a longtime Fishers resident and is deeply connected to the HSE community. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children, all graduates of Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
The contract is a three-year agreement extending through April 2029, with an opportunity for extension beginning in December 2027. The contract includes a base salary of $206,250. A final copy of the superintendent’s contract will be available on the district’s website.
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Board President Tiffany Pascoe provided the following additional statement regarding the superintendent selection process:
“As we arrive at this important moment, it is appropriate to briefly reflect on the journey that has brought us here. Throughout this process, the Board’s highest priority has been to act with both urgency and care to ensure continuity, stability, and strong leadership for our district.
“In that spirit, I want to share that I have personally reached out to each member of our administrative team, as well as every building leader – nearly 40 individuals in total – to listen, gather perspective, and ensure that the path we are taking reflects what is in the best interest of our district as a whole.
“We are also mindful of the broader conversation within our community. While there have been concerns expressed by some regarding administrative structure – particularly during a time of fiscal constraint – it is important to note that this Board has consistently demonstrated its commitment to thoughtful governance, including its full support of administrative contracts at the March 11 meeting.
“With that context, we are pleased to highlight that the agreement before us tonight reflects both fiscal responsibility and strategic awareness. In comparison to prior structures, and based on the current organizational configuration, the district is currently realizing an annual savings of $280,895.
“For the sake of transparency, I would like to briefly revisit the timeline that has guided this process:
- On March 2, Mr. Mapes formally announced his resignation, effective April 13.
- On March 11, Dr. Kegley was appointed Deputy Superintendent.
- The Board convened executive sessions on April 2 and again on April 22 to carefully consider next steps.
“Throughout this process, we remained committed to transparency and due diligence. We thoughtfully reviewed and responded to two counteroffers, ensuring that all legal considerations were addressed and that Board feedback was incorporated at each stage. This deliberate approach has led us to the agreement now before us.”
