Both the Hamilton Southeastern Board of School Trustees and the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) ratified a contract agreement. This agreement serves to partially address the district’s financial concerns. For the 2010-2011 school year, the teachers will receive no raise. HSEA has also agreed to suspend the school district’s 1.5 percent VEBA contribution for 2010-2011. Both parties agreed to address these issues early to avoid reducing teaching positions. The Board and the Association also agreed to allow up to forty (40) teachers to qualify for a $20,000 early retirement incentive. The parties will meet at a later date to continue to negotiate the remaining contract terms.

“Budget cutting is never easy. The Hamilton Southeastern Education Association has worked diligently to help HSE through this economic downturn. This is also due, in part, to Association leadership focusing on putting kids first,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Smith. “The overwhelming majority of our teachers have been very supportive of maintaining student programs and not reducing any teaching positions. Remember, we are growing by 800+ students per year.”