Sparking controversy during her six years as the superintendent of schools in Worcester, Massachusetts, Dr. Melinda Boone sat down with necn on Friday, a day after her resignation was made public.
"We are on sound footing here," she said. "There are a number of things that we've accomplished."
Dr. Boone has been a magnet for controversy during her tenure in Worcester.
"There's always that tension between day-to-day operations, and the responsibility of the school committee," she said.
Some say Dr. Boone has had some missteps, including most recently trying to prevent publicity of two department employees facing child pornography charges.
"Under no circumstances were our children in danger as a result of that information and my working with the police department, so I think I handled that appropriately," Dr. Boone said, adding that it was not the reason behind her resignation.
"The challenges in Worcester Public Schools were becoming overwhelming for the superintendent," Dianna Biancheria, a Worcester Schools committee member, said.
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Dr. Boone is leaving Worcester after six years to head up the Norfolk, Virginia, schools.
Some in Worcester have applauded the changes she's implemented.
"Things like the drop-out rate going down, the graduation rate going up," one district employee said.
"I'm not running from anything, I'm not leaving for any other reason but to go back to Norfolk," Dr. Boone said.
Dr. Boone's first day of work in Norfolk will be Dec. 1. A national search to find her replacement will take place immediately.
