(CARMEL, Ind.) — The Carmel Clay Schools have found their new superintendent right next door.
Michael Beresford has spent the last quarter-century in the Hamilton Southeastern Schools in neighboring Fishers, and is currently an assistant superintendent there. Both districts are affluent and high-performing academically, but Beresford says his first 100 days will be spent building relationships and getting to know the district. He says that will include the formation of a student advisory council to make sure he has students’ perspectives.
Despite Carmel-Clay’s academic record, Beresford says the district can’t and won’t get complacent about its success.
School board president Layla Spanenberg won’t say how many candidates applied or were interviewed for the job, but said Beresford stood out because of his local ties and his experience at all levels, from elementary to high schools.
The school board will formally vote June 19 on Beresford’s hiring. He’ll begin a three-year, $170,000-a-year contract July 1.
Beresford replaces Nicholas Wahl, who resigned in January, three months after being placed on leave. The board never confirmed reports a relationship with Carmel-Clay’s human resources director led to Wahl’s departure, but passed a rule two months after his exit which explicitly banned personal relationships with subordinates.
New Carmel-Clay Schools Superintendent Michael Beresford (Photo: Eric Berman/WIBC)
