McAuley President/Principal Announces Plans to Resign

After serving five years as president and principal of , Dr. Christine Melone announced that she will not return to her post after the current school year.

"I am very appreciative of all the support that has been given to me by entire McAuley community," Melone said in a note to the Mother McAuley Community Tuesday.

Melone said she decided to resign, because, "I now must turn my focus to family and personal matters that require my attention."

"I have found this to be a place of wonder, inspiration, faith and hope for our future. We all share in the role of shaping young, Catholic women to have an impact on our community and the global world; a role that carries great privilege and great responsibility. I’m honored to have been part of this fine Mercy tradition," she said.

According to Mother McAuley, Melone was the first laywoman, and the first person with a doctorate to be named president and principal of the school. Before joining Mother McAuley in 2007, Melone served in leadership positions at schools ranging from 450 to 5,000 students. She is also attended an all-girls Catholic high school.

In August, board of trustees chairwoman Anne Cotter announced that "focusing on strategic planning, advancement, alumnae relations, enrollment and financial issues for the entire campus." This was the first time the school adopted this leadership model.

With the change, Claudia Woodruff, who has served as assistant principal since 2009, has been appointed to serve as principal. Woodruff joined the Mother McAuley faculty in 1984 as a science teacher and subsequently served as chair of the science department, then sophomore class dean.

In her note, Melone said that Woodruff "has assumed the role of principal with great confidence and ease, and has demonstrated effective leadership and advancement for the school community. I believe this has paved the way for endless opportunities for the future of McAuley."

"It has been my blessing and privilege to serve this exceptional community. I have experienced challenges and celebrations during my five years here and feel that McAuley has made a great difference in my life," said Melone. "I shall always treasure the great memories and the wonderful people who inspired me to do my best to continue the mission set forth by Catherine McAuley."

The school's board of trustees are to begin a national search for Melone's successor later this month.