Carmel Clay superintendent to retire after 2024-25 school year, successor picked

The superintendent of Carmel Clay Schools will retire next year. Michael Beresford announced his retirement Monday after leading the district for six years. 

Assistant superintendent Tom Oestreich was chosen by the school board to become the next superintendent in July 2025.

In a press release, the district leaders celebrated Beresford's work in improving academics and school district operations. 

Carmel Clay consistently scored over the state average in standardized testing and student outcomes. 93.4 percent of third graders met state literacy standards, compared 81.9 percent of students statewide. Last year, nearly 99 percent of students graduated.

In a video, Beresford said he’s ready to retire.

“After much thought, and conversations with my wife Lori it just became clear that the timing was right to pass that baton over to the next leader of this amazing school district, and for us to go on to the next phase of our lives,” he said.

Beresford took on the role in 2018 after the previous superintendent resigned following concerns over his leadership. 

Beresford led the district through the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of increased scrutiny and vitriol against the district. Some community members who opposed mask mandates and believed that schools are promoting critical race theory — a theoretical framework that’s been conflated with diversity, equity and inclusion efforts — targeted Beresford and the district. 

During the 2022 election, Beresford said the political narrative in the community against Carmel educators was false and insulting.

Carmel Clay enrolls over 16,000 students in Hamilton County. Just 12.2 percent of district students qualified for free or reduced lunch last academic year.

Beresford previously served as an assistant superintendent at Hamilton Southeastern Schools. He will cap a 43-year career in education after the upcoming school year.

Oestreich, the next superintendent, began his 25-year career as an orchestra teacher. He currently manages Carmel Clay student and staff support services.

"Dr. Oestreich’s proven leadership and enthusiasm for this district is indisputable," Kristin Kouka, school board president, said in a statement. "We are confident his institutional understanding and established relationships with staff make Dr. Oestreich the perfect next leader to uphold our tradition of excellence."

The first day of school is Aug. 5 for the 2024-25 academic year.

Contact data journalist Zak Cassel at zcassel@wfyi.org.