A principal who helped prevent the closure of a Glendale, Ariz., Catholic school will be the new principal of Christ the King Catholic School in Mesa, Ariz.

Charlene Krushinsky will be Christ the King's new principal, current Principal Shelley Conner announced on Facebook and in a letter introducing Krushinsky to the school community.

Krushinsky most recently served as principal at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School in Aiken, S.C.

Charlene Krushinsky | Facebook

Conner announced her retirement, effective June 30, in January on the school’s website. She announced her retirement came “After much prayerful consideration.”

“I am proud of the traditions we have upheld, what we have built together, and the position the school is in for the future,” Conner said on the school's website. “I am honored to have served the staff, the parents, the community and the Church, for the last seven years here at Christ the King. I will always claim Christ the King as part of my history.”

From July 2012 to June 2018, Krushinsky was principal at St. Louis the King Catholic School in Glendale, “where she saved the school from closing and increased enrollment by 85%,” Conner said in her announcement introducing Krushinsky.

Krushinsky has been principal since 2018 at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School, according to her LinkedIn profile.

The Rev. Gregory Wilson said that Krushinsky decided to return to Arizona to be closer to family in his April 15 letter, “Regarding St. Mary’s School Principal Transition” (www.stmaryschoolaiken.com), 

“We are understandably saddened to say goodbye but are happy that Ms. Krushinsky will be closer especially to her parents,” the Rev. Wilson said in his letter. “We are immensely grateful to Ms. Krushinsky for all the enthusiastic, faith-centered, and caring leadership she has given us over these past two years.”

Krushinsky has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Northern Arizona University, according to her resume. She completed post-graduate work in Catholic school management from the University of Notre Dame.

Krushinsky is the mother of three grown daughters, according to her letter of introduction.