Superintendent Pat Mapes’ resignation will become effective on April 13, 2026. (Photo provided by HSE Schools)
Submitted by HSE Schools
On Monday, March 2, Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Pat Mapes announced his resignation, effective April 13.
Mapes, who was appointed to lead the district in February 2024, departs following a tenure defined by academic improvement, a renewed focus on student outcomes, and the launch of the district’s Innovate 2028 strategic plan.
Mapes brought more than 35 years of dedicated service to Indiana public education, including experience as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent across the state. He came to HSE after seven years leading Perry Township Schools, where he oversaw $153 million in construction projects and increased teacher base salaries by nearly $17,000. He also served as chairman of the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board and continues as an appointee to the Indiana State Board of Education.
According to Mapes, despite persistent divisiveness driven by community members that pulled public attention away from students, he says he never lost sight of the district’s core mission, and the results reflect that.
“My entire career in public education has been about serving students,” Mapes said. “At Hamilton Southeastern, that has been no different. HSE students are exceptional and serving them has been a privilege.”
Throughout his tenure, HSE recorded measurable academic gains:
- Ninety-six percent of HSE third-graders passed the 2025 IREAD assessment, the highest district pass rate in five years.
- HSE’s combined high school graduation rate reached 98.8 percent, ranking among the best in Indiana.
Across grades 3 through 8, HSE students consistently outperformed state averages on ILEARN in both ELA and math, with SAT and PSAT scores surpassing statewide benchmarks as well.
Under Mapes’ leadership, the district launched the HSE Networks career pathways program, enrolling all ninth graders in Freshman Seminar and expanding career-connected learning through 25 newly approved CTE courses. All career-focused Networks are on track to be fully operational by the close of this school year, meeting a key Innovate 2028 milestone. Academic progress was further supported by a partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), bringing a data-driven professional development model to all 17 HSE buildings.
Mapes has committed to a complete transition of responsibilities through his final day on April 13. The HSE Board of School Trustees is expected to announce next steps in the superintendent search process in the coming weeks.
