While Evans’ proposals had aroused controversy, her detractors say that her resignation effectively abandoned CRLS in a sea of half-finished reforms.

In 2003, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges placed CRLS on probation, citing flaws in leadership, organization, and vision. Once on probation, a school that is found unsatisfactory can ultimately lose its accreditation.

Fowler-Finn blames Evans for the probationary period.

“Cambridge Rindge and Latin went on probation when Paula Evans did all the paperwork,” he says.

And while Fowler-Finn has indicated that CRLS is likely to have its probation lifted later this year, a sense of betrayal lingers.

But Evans defends her tenure at CRLS, even as she prepares to open CCSC.

“When I was at Cambridge Rindge and Latin, I made important connections with students, and parents, and some faculty,” Evans says. “Every single one of them knows I was committed to those students.”

—Staff writer Brendan R. Linn can be reached at blinn@fas.harvard.edu. —Staff writer Alan J. Tabak can be reached at tabak@fas.harvard.edu.