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The latest proposals by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials to deal with the loss of students at East Mecklenburg High School will be the subject of a public meeting tonight at Harding University High School.
The meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and it is the latest in a series of meetings held during the past month, as CMS tests public opinion on various plans to balance enrollment.
At first glance, East Mecklenburg's enrollment numbers have nothing to do with Harding's.
But the latest proposal to build East Mecklenburg's numbers includes creation of a science-technology-engineering-mathematics magnet program at the school. The opening of a new high school next year in Mint Hill has led to several hundred East Mecklenburg students being moved to Butler High.
As a result, only about 1,500 students will be left at East Mecklenburg next year. Several other proposals have been floated by CMS, but each met strong opposition.
The latest idea -- creating the new magnet program -- seemingly would duplicate a similar magnet program at Harding University High, where enrollment numbers have been dropping in recent years. Some parents said that the new magnet at East Mecklenburg would draw away even more people from Harding.
Tonight's meeting is designed to give Harding parents a chance to voice concerns.
Superintendent Peter Gorman said CMS planners think that even if some students leave Harding for the new program at East Mecklenburg, it will open spots for prospective International Baccalaureate students in the IB program at Harding.
"Harding has a waiting list for its IB program, so this could open up those spots," Gorman said.
He said planners also are concerned that some East Mecklenburg High students would move out of the school next year if it is allowed to shrink, because they would worry that teachers and specialized classes would be eliminated with the smaller enrollment numbers.
"We don't want to cannibalize another program," Gorman said, "but we think this might convince some East Mecklenburg kids to stay at East Mecklenburg."
Harding University High School is at 2001 Alleghany Street.
