Rowdy, angry and defensive parents and students took the Fort Wayne Community Schools superintendent and board to task Wednesday, demanding that Elmhurst High School remain open.

The crowd of nearly 700 people spent several hours shouting at and interrupting Superintendent Wendy Robinson, refusing to accept her reasoning for proposing to close Elmhurst.

They criticized Robinson for her six-figure salary and not closing the schools her grandchildren attend; chastised board President Mark GiaQuinta, saying he was yawning and rolling his eyes; and attacked some of the other district high schools – namely North Side, South Side and Wayne – saying they should be closed instead because they’re failing.

Elmhurst parents and students also brought up the time the district tried to close the southwest-side high school in 2007 as part of its failed $500 million building plan.

Many believed Wednesday’s informational meeting, billed as a time for board members to hear public input on closing Elmhurst, was fruitless.

“It sounds like from Day 1, y’all had your minds made up,” student Shaquile Wells said through tears.

Robinson was defensive and at times angry that people yelled while she talked, degraded other high schools and didn’t ask specific questions.

“Can we have a ground rule? When it’s time for you to talk, I’m going to sit here and listen,” she said. “A listening tour only works when people listen. Obviously, we know you came with emotions, and most school boards wouldn’t have bothered to come.”

Robinson began the meeting with a presentation on why the district has to cut $15 million from its budget. The shortfall was prompted by Gov. Mitch Daniels’ $300 million cut to K-12 spending statewide to make up for dwindling tax collections.

That translated to a $9 million cut for Fort Wayne Community Schools, coupled with an existing budget shortfall estimated at $6 million. Robinson also is proposing closing Pleasant Center Elementary and a $6 million cut to teachers’ jobs.

Robinson placed much of the blame for Elmhurst’s closing on Daniels, but some parents weren’t buying it.

“You know what, he didn’t write Elmhurst down on the paper, you did,” parent Tina Junk said.

Robinson explained that Elmhurst was targeted for closure instead of the five other high schools because its enrollment could easily fit in the other schools without creating space issues and its course offerings are limited because of the low number of students. North Side students could also easily fit into other high schools, but it was not selected because the district spent $50 million to renovate the school in 2005, she said.

“You spent $50 million on North Side for what? To close us?” student Josh Ehinger asked.

The same went for Wayne, which is undergoing renovations to accommodate the New Tech program, Robinson said.

“Wayne is a newer school, but many people have bought things you don’t need, and you throw them away,” parent Jeff Calder said.

Students were upset that they wouldn’t graduate from Elmhurst and vowed that no matter what school they’re sent to, they’ll graduate as Trojans, wearing red and gray. Many asked Robinson whether she thought about the effect that closing a school has on people.

They groaned when she tried to relate to them, saying she had attended schools in the district since she was 5 years old.

“I graduated from Central, which was closed,” Robinson said.

Many weren’t satisfied with any of Robinson’s answers and became frustrated when she couldn’t provide details on where students would attend school or other academic issues. Those plans won’t be developed until the board votes on Robinson’s recommendation at its March 22 meeting.

“I kind of feel bad saying this, but you do work for us,” student Lauren Conklin said. “You should listen to us.”

ksoderlund@jg.net