Before last Wednesday’s Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meeting, the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) provided teachers with an update on a pending Unfair Labor Practice filing  (see this link).

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools have issued a response, saying they are willing to work on the issues raised by HSEA.

Below is the full text of the statement issued Friday by HSE Schools:

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The School Corporation was very surprised to see the recent statements made by the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association regarding the unfair labor practice, and in particular how it mischaracterized the School Corporation’s willingness and effort to settle and resolve this matter. The School Corporation has worked in good faith to not only address the allegations raised in the complaint but has also spent considerable time and attention addressing several ancillary issues raised by HSEA which have no nexus with the unfair labor practice. In fact, we spent much of our last mediation session addressing these ancillary issues, including some of those raised by HSEA in their recent statements. While we were equally frustrated that the merits of the Complaint were not the focus of our last mediation session, we were happy and willing to collaborate on these additional issues, all in an attempt to resolve these matters in good faith.

 Moreover, the School Corporation was surprised to see HSEA’s statement regarding teacher re-assignment. While Indiana law allows the School Corporation to direct and assign its employees, these re-assignment efforts prevented serious RIF conversations and allowed the district to preserve over 20 teaching positions.  

 The School Corporation has been at the table ready and willing to resolve this matter which involves allegations against a former school employee. We are not here to fight. We are not here to threaten additional lawsuits committing needless time and resources away from our mission of providing a world-class education to the 21,000 students and families that we have the privilege of serving. Resolution takes two willing parties. We can set a positive example for our entire school district by ending senseless fighting. As always, the School Corporation is ready and willing to meet to resolve this matter.