http://66.225.205.104/LM20100928.mp3
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials today proposed closing 12 schools as part of an effort to save money and improve performance. E.E. Waddell High School opened nine years ago in Southwest Charlotte to relieve overcrowding at South Meck and Olympic High Schools. But next year, Waddell will become a K-8 school if the school board approves the recommendation of CMS central staff. Students in the current Waddell High school attendance zone would be sent to South Meck, West Meck and a new program at Harding University High. Waddell is the only high school that would close under the plan presented to board members this afternoon. The Smith K-8 school building would close and move into Waddell. In addition, four middle schools would close. They are Davidson IB, Bishop Spaugh, John Taylor Williams and Wilson. The Davidson IB program would be relocated to Alexander Middle School in Huntersville. That would make Alexander a partial magnet school. CMS also wants to close Amay James pre-kindergarten center and five elementary schools. They are Chantilly, Highland Mill, Pawtuckett, University Park and Villa Heights. To relieve overcrowding, CMS also wants the board to approve boundary changes at Ballantyne, Highland Creek and Torrence Creek elementary schools, and Mint Hill and Community House middle schools.