Charlotte Catholic principal resigns
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Charlotte Catholic dates back to 1955. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Charlotte Catholic High School principal Lori Phillips has resigned effective Friday, Feb. 14, according to a letter shared with parents. CCHS parents have been calling for her removal, as well as that of Gregory Monroe, superintendent of Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Schools.
Why it matters: Charlotte Catholic, one of the city's oldest private schools, has been embroiled in controversy this school year, from changes in accreditation to students getting suspended for bullying.
State of play: Charlotte Catholic president Kurt Telford will serve as head of school overseeing both principal and president for the rest of the school year and the 2025-2026 school year.
- The school will begin an immediate nationwide search for a new principal, whom they expect to have in place by summer 2026, according to the letter.
Between the lines: Phillips' resignation comes days after a video of her meeting with parents circulated in which she appears to imply parents are the school's "culture problem."
- Frustrations among some parents have been building over the school's direction and leadership, the Charlotte Ledger reported.
Context: Phillips became the school's principal at the start of the school year after joining Charlotte Catholic as vice principal in 2023. Her departure is to allow the school "to move forward with a renewed focus on teaching and learning," according to the letter.
The big picture: Parents have expressed their concern over a lack of communication from the school over major decisions, like changing the accreditation from Cognia (a global non-religious accreditation program) to Lumen (administered by The Catholic University of America).
- In response, the school has sent letters to parents and held recent meetings.
- Some parents have withdrawn their children from MACS as a result, per the Ledger — though is unclear how many.
What's next: Superintendent Monroe says they'll be meeting with teachers, staff, administrators and the parents' school leadership council to hear about parents' vision for the future of the school.