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- District Updates
Carmel Clay Schools Board and Individual Members Honored with Indiana School Boards Association Exemplary Governance Awards
CARMEL, IN – Carmel Clay Schools is proud to announce that the Board of Trustees and three of its individual members have been recognized by the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) with 2025 Exemplary Governance Awards (EGA). These prestigious awards celebrate an outstanding commitment to professional learning, student success, and effective local governance.
The Carmel Clay Schools Board of Trustees received the Level 1 Commendable board award, placing them among only 120 school boards in the state to earn such a distinction this year. This honor reflects the board’s collective dedication to continuous improvement, including participating in specialized training and goal-setting retreats designed to elevate student achievement.
In addition to the collective board honor, three members were recognized for their individual achievements:
- Kristin Kouka received the Level 3 Distinguished award.
- Jon Shapiro received the Level 1 Commendable award.
- Kristina Wheeler received the Level 1 Commendable award.
“I want to extend my heartiest congratulations to our board members for this well-deserved recognition,” said Dr. Thomas Oestreich, Superintendent of Carmel Clay Schools. “These awards are a testament to the hard work and tireless collaboration of our board. Their commitment to professional growth and their ability to work together effectively are the foundation that allows our entire district to succeed and provide the best possible environment for our students.”
The EGA program confers awards across four levels of distinction based on points earned for attending ISBA seminars, workshops, and conferences. This year, only 314 school board members statewide earned individual accolades for their efforts to stay informed on governance best practices, school law, and legislative issues.
All honorees will be formally recognized at the ISBA Spring Regional Meetings held throughout the month of April.
For a complete list of individual and board award recipients for the 2025 award year, please visit isba-ind.org/about/award-programs/ega.