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CHARLOTTE – Charlotte-Mecklenburg school leaders say they expect behavior issues at Harding University High School to decrease.

Following a Tuesday curriculum meeting that was off limits to the media, interim superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh invited reporters to the school Thursday to hear the district's plans for ensuring a safe learning environment at Harding.

"There are a small number of students here who have a different agenda," said Harding prinicpal Alicia Johnson.

But that small number is having a great impact.

"Being on lockdown all day, that's never happened to me before," said Aubrey Hall, a junior who transferred to Harding from West Meckleburg. A number of students from the former E.E. Waddell High School, which was closed after last year, also were sent to Harding.

Even after last month's lengthy lockdown, during which authorities searched for a weapon on campus, Hall says she feels safe.

“They've doubled on security to make things safer," she said.

The school now has 10 security associates, up from two last year, and added a second CMPD resource officer. There are also 96 security cameras. Hattabaugh believes all the extra security will only improve student bahavior.

"I think it already has. I think we've seen the numbers decrease tremendously," he said.

From the start of this school year alone, Harding saw 22 arrests and 42 reported incidents, a definite spike since the student body doubled. But programs are in the works to help original Harding students bond with new students from West Meck and Waddell.

"We have to focus on we're all here now and we have to make it better," Hall said.

Hattabaugh said concerned parents looking to transfer their children to other schools immediately will still have to follow protocol for that process. Harding has had a total of 90 transfers out of the school to date this year, only 16 of those after the school year started.

Hattabaugh says one student has been identified as a possible suspect in a graffiti incident. He has not been expelled as he has to go through the legal system first. Hattabaugh says there may be other suspects.