Superintendent turnover: Districts pick new leaders at a rapid pace

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Often in superintendent turnover, it takes months—or even longer—for a district to replace a departed leader. Within the last week, however, two districts had their replacements ready just as their superintendents announced their retirements.

First, in Indiana, Superintendent Michael Beresford announced that he will retire from Carmel Clay Schools in Indiana at the end of the 2024-2025 school year—after 43 years in education. The district’s school board then promoted Assistant Superintendent of Staff and Student Services Thomas Oestreich to the lead role.

St. Joseph Public Schools in Michigan promoted Assistant Superintendent Kristen Bawks to superintendent shortly after the school board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Jenny Fee, who has taken an administrative position at the Kent Intermediate School District.

Angie Hamberg

Many other districts also found their new leaders within their central office. The Westerville City School District in Ohio promoted Interim Superintendent Angie Hamberg to the top spot. Hamberg served as superintendent of Big Walnut Local Schools from 2015 to 2022. Assistant Superintendent Janice Monroe has been selected as the next leader of Mississippi’s  Greenville Public School District. Monroe was previously superintendent of Leland Public Schools.

In Utah, the Granite School District elevated its chief of staff, Ben Horsley, to superintendent. Horsley was previously the district’s director of communications and community outreach. The Calcasieu Parish School Board in Louisiana named its chief academic officer, Jason VanMetre, its next superintendent.

Christopher M. Spence
Christopher M. Spence

Several superintendents swapped districts within the last week. Christopher M. Spence is taking the helm of the Utica City School District in New York after serving as the superintendent of the Fall Mountain Regional School District in New Hampshire. Spence previously served as an assistant superintendent in the Rochester City School District.

In Arkansas, Superintendent Keith McGee is moving to the Watson Chapel School District from the Helena-West Helena School District, KATV reported. In Wisconsin, Benjamin Heninger is transitioning to the Pardeeville Area School District from the Butternut School District, according to Channel 3000. And in Connecticut, Steven Moccio will lead Enfield Public Schools after serving as superintendent of Stafford Public Schools, Patch reports.

More hires

Superintendent turnover: Departures

  • Superintendent Chris Briggs will retire from Pickerington Local Schools (Ohio) at the end of January.
  • Superintendent Mervin Daugherty is retiring from Chesterfield County Public Schools (Virginia).
  • Tom DeBalsi resigned from the Hartford School District (Vermont).
  • Superintendent James Hiu will retire from the Gresham-Barlow School District (Oregon) at the end of December.
  • Superintendent Michael MacDonald will retire from the Walton Central School District (New York) at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
  • Superintendent Tracey Miller will retire from the New Richmond Exempted Village School District (Ohio) at the end of December.
  • Verna Ruffin‘s contract was not renewed at Waterbury Public Schools (Connecticut).

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Matt Zalaznick
Matt Zalaznick
Matt Zalaznick is the managing editor of District Administration and a life-long journalist. Prior to writing for District Administration he worked in daily news all over the country, from the NYC suburbs to the Rocky Mountains, Silicon Valley and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He's also in a band.

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