When the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA), the local teachers’ union, filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) against the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District, it was clear there was a chasm separating the two institutions.  Following a meeting with HSEA members before Wednesday’s school board meeting, and comments made by Superintendent Patrick Mapes speaking before the HSE Board, the gulf between HSEA and HSE Schools appears to have widened significantly.

Teachers met next door to the school administration building prior to the 6pm board meeting.  Referring to comments from a local organization, HSEA President Abby Taylor said,  “There are not sides when it comes to treating people kindly.  We, as teachers, have never chosen a side.  We have chosen to support students, every, every step of the way.”

Becky Slayton, the ISTA Uniserve Director for HSEA, provided a timeline of what led to the ULP filing.  Administration was contacted up the chain of command about allegations of a “toxic workplace” from HSEA President Taylor.  With no resolution when attorneys for HSEA and HSE Schools spoke, HSEA authorized ISTA attorneys to file the ULP action.

“Right now, what (HSE Schools are)  doing is merely trying to bust up the union, so that you do not have a voice,” Slayton told the teacher group.  She adds the union will see to it there is a hearing on the ULP.

While Mapes was providing the board with the District’s update on “Vision, Goals, Organization, and Budget,” he had some direct comments about teachers and those representing them.  He began by talking about people believing everything they read on social media.

“As a school corporation, we will not drag legal issues through social media,” Mapes told the board.  “It’s unprofessional and provides no value.  Education is a service providing profession that is striving to build student skills so they may be good citizens.  That’s the goal no matter what community you’re in. ”

Mapes went on to say the following: “If we’ve employed people who do not want to serve students and put their own agenda in front of a mission to educate students, then those people should leave our district because we’re here to serve students.  That’s why people got into this business.  They want to help kids.  And if they don’t want to help kids, then I really don’t have any place for them.”

Mapes then quoted a comment from Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, “…schools help promote our community.”

Slayton says if there is no settlement of the ULP, and as of Wednesday that does not seem likely, the state will hold a hearing, with a decision coming by October of this year.