Carmel Schools superintendent announces retirement, board picks new leader
Caroline BeckCarmel Clay Schools Superintendent Michael Beresford announced his retirement at a special meeting Monday night, saying that he plans to leave the district at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
Beresford, who has held the district’s top leadership role for the past six years, told district staff and families in a letter Monday night that he has cherished his time working in CCS. He did not give a specific reason for his decision to step down.
“I will always cherish the time I have had here in CCS working alongside the talented educators, dedicated staff, supportive families, and the incredible students of Carmel Clay Schools," Beresford said. "It’s been an honor to be a part of this amazing team.”
Monday the Carmel Clay school board approved Thomas Oestreich, CCS’s current assistant superintendent of staff and student services, to be the district’s next superintendent. Oestreich, a former assistant principal at North Central High School and principal at Lawrence Central High School, will officially start in the role in July 2025.
It is not clear what Beresford’s next steps will be after leaving the district, but he said in a video message posted on the district’s YouTube page that after consulting with his wife, he thought the timing was right to turn over the district to a new leader.
“As I enter my 43rd year in education I know I will be running the last mile of my career but I take great pride in running with a team of skilled and motivated educators,” Beresford said.
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Beresford led one of the state’s top-performing districts in terms of standardized testing. At one point he had the highest superintendent salary out of the four school districts in Hamilton County.
Over the next school year Beresford will work with Oestreich to hand off the district’s leadership responsibilities in what the district hopes will prove a seamless transition.
“With Dr. Beresford’s announcement, we are able to plan for the upcoming change in leadership - rather than having to fill a vacancy,” said board member Katie Browning in a news release. “We saw the opportunity to prepare rather than respond, ensuring a smooth transition over the next year.”
A graduate of Butler University and Indiana University, Oestreich has 25 years of experience working in education.He started his career as a middle school orchestra teacher in Washington Township.
Oestreich began his role as assistant superintendent in Carmel in January 2020 and he currently oversees staff and student services, including new teacher evaluations and facilitating staff recruitment and training.
Carmel Teachers' Association president Mark Wien said in a statement that the CTA is excited for Oestreich to be the next leader of the district.
"Dr. Oestreich has always been open and honest in his communication with the CTA, and we have worked together on hundreds of occasions to benefit teachers,” Wien said. “CCS is in great hands moving forward!"
Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.