Principal of Charlotte Catholic High resigns
Lori Phillips had been facing criticism for calling parents a 'culture problem' and some questioned her leadership in the face of changes at the school
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Charlotte Catholic High principal who faced criticism for her leadership resigns effective Friday; Catholic school district leaders say they will meet with teachers, staff and parents ‘to hear your hopes and expectations’
Phillips appeared in an online meeting with parents Feb. 3 designed to address growing concerns at Charlotte Catholic.
by Cristina Bolling
Lori Phillips, the principal of Charlotte Catholic High School who was one of the key figures at the center of a rift that has divided the school community, has resigned “to allow Charlotte Catholic High School to move forward with a renewed focus on teaching and learning,” according to a letter sent to families on Tuesday.
It’s been a tumultuous last several weeks at Charlotte Catholic, where frustrations have been building over the school’s leadership and direction, leading some to withdraw their students and spurring the pastor of the diocese’s largest parish to speak out on behalf of parents.
Phillips arrived at Charlotte Catholic in 2023 as a vice principal and became principal at the start of the current school year in August. The recent issues that have been dividing the community involve both Phillips and the leadership of the school district, with some parents saying they have lost trust in the system.
Some parents have been upset over what they call a transparency problem that came to light after an accreditation change to a Catholic accreditation program made over the summer wasn’t communicated to families. And there have also been concerns that the curriculum is shifting to amplify the school’s Catholic identity, and worries over the resignation of some teachers mid-school year and what it might mean for the future of the school.
Other parents have been supportive of the school leadership, saying that they trust in the school’s direction and they value education with a Catholic focus.
Some parents criticized Phillips’ handling of parent frustrations, and a video clip taken from a parent meeting at Charlotte Catholic last week spread widely online, with Phillips motioning to parents in the audience and saying “there is a culture problem right here.”
The comment was met with loud responses from parents, some of whom can be heard saying “whoa!” “what?” and “wow!”
A change.org petition called “MACS Stakeholders Vote of No Confidence - Lori Phillips & Gregory Monroe” had more than 325 signatures as of Tuesday, calling for a dismissal of the school’s principal and the Catholic school system’s superintendent.
On Sunday, Father John Allen, the acting pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church, which is the largest church in the Charlotte diocese, told parishioners from the lectern that he has asked MACS officials “on many occasions” to pursue dual enrollment, and that he has asked that a school board made up of parents, teachers and clergy be “established immediately.”
Phillips’ leadership was called into question by some parents earlier in the year, when in September she made comments to female students during a meeting to discuss the school’s uniform policy regarding skirts. Some parents said her comments amounted to “body shaming,” and Phillips later apologized in a letter.
“Unfortunately, I approached this important matter too casually and made inappropriate remarks during the discussion. I apologize for that and have learned from this moment, and going forward will be more thoughtful in my communications,” she wrote in the Sept. 19 letter obtained by The Ledger.
In Tuesday’s letter, Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools Superintendent Gregory Monroe called Phillips a “champion for teacher excellence and high academic expectations for students” and said school district administrators will meet with teachers, staff, administrators and parent representatives “to hear your hopes and expectations for the school, and for how we can work together to achieve our mission.”
Kurt Telford, who is the school’s president and served as its principal before Phillips, will step in as the Head of School, handling both principal and president duties for the rest of the school year and the 2025-2026 school year, according to the letter from Monroe. There will be a national search for the next principal.
Related Ledger articles:
“Rift widens at Charlotte Catholic” (Feb. 10)
“Parents demand clarity on Charlotte Catholic’s accreditation” (Jan. 10 🔒)
“Charlotte Catholic apologizes for not communicating accreditation change, but frustration remains” (Jan. 15 🔒)
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