by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun
Hundreds of John Muir High School students staged a walk-out protest on Monday in a show of support for Principal Sheryl Orange, following unconfirmed reports that she will be replaced next year.
As many 450 students joined the walkout after the school’s 12:30 PM. lunch period began, said school district spokesman Adam Wolfson.
An unidentified school district official told the Pasadena Star-News last week that Orange would be removed from her post at the end of the year, the paper reported. District officials have withheld comment.
“We felt disrespected [by the report],” said Muir senior Tony Rodriguez, who participated in the walkout. "They’re trying to say we didn’t make any improvements.”
Muir’s Academic Performance Index score increased from 631 in 2010 to 650 points last year, according to California Department of Education statistics. The school’s API score was 600 in 2008, when Orange became principal after district officials invested in a $3-million restructuring of Muir’s academic programs.
