News release
The William S. Hart Union High School District announced that Collyn Nielsen, deputy superintendent of human resources, has been named the 2026 Negotiator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.
He was officially honored at the recent ACSA Negotiator’s Symposium.
This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, transparency and collaboration in the collective bargaining process, according to a news release from the Hart district.
Nielsen was selected for his ability to balance fiscal responsibility with a deep commitment to supporting staff and improving student outcomes, the release said.
“Negotiation is about more than just contracts; it’s about building trust and ensuring our resources are used to best serve our students and staff,” Superintendent Michael Vierra said in the release. “Dr. Nielsen exemplifies this balance. His professionalism and dedication to finding common ground have been instrumental in maintaining a positive and productive culture within our district.”
During his tenure leading the Human Resources Department, Nielsen has led several successful negotiations centered on supporting teachers while focusing on student needs, including agreements involving balanced workload, safety and competitive salary, the release said, adding that his approach to negotiations is characterized by prioritizing long-term relationships and mutual goals over adversarial tactics.
The ACSA Negotiator of the Year award is presented annually to an administrator who shows remarkable skill in labor relations and serves as a model for excellence in school business and human resources, the release said.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from ACSA,” Nielsen said in the release. “It really shouldn’t be an individual award because so many people have contributed to the current state of our negotiations, including the district negotiating team and both the Hart District Teachers Association and California School Employees Association negotiating teams. They have all put an incredible amount of thoughtful work into this process. This award is truly a reflection of the collaborative spirit of each of the negotiating teams. I believe that when we work together with our labor partners in good faith, the real winners are the students in our classrooms.”
