Hamilton Southeastern Schools held a special board meeting on Wednesday, September 13, at 7 a.m. to accept the resignation and separation agreement of HSE superintendent Dr. Yvonne Stokes. The meeting was live-streamed and open to the public.

Before public comment, board president Dawn Lang said, “We have a strong foundation to build upon, and I know a bright future ahead for Hamilton Southeastern Schools.”

Three people: Stephanie Hunt, Lydia Stanley, and Hamilton Southeastern Education Association President Abby Taylor, shared statements during the public comment section of the meeting.

Hunt said, “Today, I am here to speak up for the Black educators in HSE Schools who cannot speak out for themselves for fear of retaliation…five of you are solely responsible for making a toxic work environment for every minority educator in HSE Schools. It can even be said that you have created a toxic work environment for all of our educators.” Hunt went on to express concerns about statements board members had previously made and questioned how a superintendent resignation and separation agreement with an upcoming referendum aligns with the fiscally conservative platform that some board members ran on before being elected. 

Stanley shared that she has been a Fishers resident for over a decade. “The platform y’all ran on was transparency and being fiscally conservative. Forcing the resignation of the superintendent is neither of those things. You should be ashamed.” Stanley closed her remarks with a statement to Dr. Stokes, who was not in attendance. “Lastly, I would like to thank Dr. Stokes for putting up with our nonsense for the last few years.”

Taylor, HSEA President, noted frustration with the timing and announcement of the special board meeting. “HSEA would like to express its continued frustration with the process by which this announcement was handled. An unexpected meeting with no context or agenda was announced with an unusual start time, preventing many of our community from attending, especially teachers who were directly impacted by this time frame.” 

After public comment, Dr. Matt Kegley, HSE Schools assistant superintendent, was unanimously voted in as the interim superintendent. His contract was extended by two years, and he will receive a weekly stipend on top of his salary for each week he serves as interim superintendent.

Following Kegley’s contract extension, HSE Schools legal counselor Chris Greisl explained Dr. Stokes’ separation agreement. Greisl stated that Stokes approached him appropriately two weeks ago about resigning, and her legal counsel worked with HSE Schools’ legal counsel to reach a mutual agreement. 

As part of the agreement, Stokes’ last day is September 13. She will receive her full salary for the 2023-2024 school year, keep health insurance as long as she doesn’t accept a new job before June 30, 2024, and will be paid for 40 unused sick days and 20 unused vacation days. Both parties have agreed not to sue or disparage each other. 

IPS Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson shared in a LinkedIn post that “Dr. Yvonne Stokes was one of 8 Black superintendents in our state. That number now falls to 7. Just 3 of us are Black women, representing 1% of all Indiana superintendents. That’s why sisterhood, connection and support among and between Black women in leadership is so important, especially in these politically perilous times.”

Stokes served as an academic improvement officer in IPS during Johnson’s tenure in the district.

Immediately before becoming the first Black superintendent of HSE Schools, Stokes was the assistant superintendent for the School Town of Munster. 

In a welcome statement currently posted to the HSE community, Stokes said, “Our children thrive in our schools when they understand their value, know they are loved and supported and are inspired to excel in all facets of their lives. Transforming learning and life outcomes for students through education, equity and excellence requires an all-hands-on-deck approach by ALL of us. It takes me, it takes you, it takes all of us!”

Now, HSE Schools is in the hands of Dr. Kegley, who will have to navigate ascending to a superintendent role under these circumstances while ensuring all HSE Schools students receive the best education.