By Eric Frazier
efrazier@charlotteobserver.com

An impassioned crowd of Harding University High supporters implored officials Wednesday night not to close their school, but grim-faced leaders gave little sign of backing away from their plans.

The standoff came during a forum at Harding, the latest of many hearings on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' reorganization plans that call for closing eight schools and consolidating a dozen more.

A crowd of some 1,400 packed the gym and included one of the most recognized figures from the fight to integrate Charlotte's schools. Dorothy Counts, who made national headlines in 1957 when she became Harding's first black student, opposed the school closure and recounted the struggle to integrate it.

"This is a school of history," she told CMS officials. "I ask you to think about it before you make the decision."

Harding's name appeared without warning on the school-closing list Monday afternoon, replacing E.E. Waddell High.

The initial plan called for Smith Language Academy to take over Waddell's building, and for Waddell's students to move to Harding and South Mecklenburg high schools.

The new plan calls for Smith to take Harding's building instead.

At the forum, Superintendent Peter Gorman faced the crowd and apologized for the abrupt change. He said that given the school board's goal of protecting neighborhood schools like Waddell, closing Harding makes more sense.

That didn't go over well with the crowd.

"This is our school," one Harding student said, her voice breaking. "This is not your school to take."

Ericka Ellis-Stewart, a parent leader at Harding, told CMS officials if Harding must close, the school wants its International Baccalaureate and math-science magnet programs kept together. CMS plans to send the IB program to Waddell and the math-science program to Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology.

Ellis-Stewart said Harding would prefer that both programs go to Berry, which is on the same street as Harding and is also a magnet.

School board chairman Eric Davis said officials would consider Harding supporters' suggestions, but reiterated that CMS is facing a potential budget shortfall of up to $100 million and must cut costs.

He said neighborhood schools serve more struggling children and must receive priority. Many in the crowd - including several Smith parents - questioned the wisdom of disturbing Harding when its test scores are higher than Waddell's.

During Wednesday morning's news conference, Gorman warned the budget problems could cause even more cutbacks.

"This is only the tip of the iceberg," he said. "There is going to be more consternation. ... This is going to be a tough time for our community for the next several years."

Many of the changes affect schools with largely African-American student bodies, prompting accusations of racism from the NAACP and others.

No arrests or prolonged outbursts interrupted Wednesday's meeting, as they have others.

Both Harding and Waddell are predominantly black schools.

Harding supporters have been especially critical of the school board's two African-American members, Joyce Waddell and Richard McElrath. Both leaders have indicated support for Waddell.

Waddell High is named after Joyce Waddell's late husband, but she says that had no bearing on her decision.

At the forum, several speakers called on Waddell to address the crowd, but she refused.

The school board will vote on the plan Nov. 9. Staff Writers Mark Price and Michael Gordon contributed.

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