Students Walk Out at John Muir

Hundreds of students walked out of school at John Muir in a move meant to support principal Sheryl Orange, who is rumored to be up for replacement at the end of the school year.

The protest ended shortly after the lunch period when student leaders urged the walk outs to return to class, according to Adam Wolfson, PUSD's communications director.

By the time Altadena Patch arrived at the school at 1:30 p.m. all but a few stray students had returned to class.

The walk-out is in response to a Pasadena Star-News story from last week that reported Orange will be replaced as principal next year.  The story cites an anonymous source, and so far, PUSD officials have not confirmed that Orange will be replaced.

The article cites Orange's possible replacement as being the result of discipline problems with the school's football and basketball coaches, as well as concerns that the school has not improved as much as district officials would help.

Several students who spoke with Altadena Patch Monday said they want Orange to stay.

"She really cares for us," said sophomore Nichole Parrish. "They don't see how she helps us and what she does for us."

The issue of a walk-out was discussed at , when several community members criticized the board over their alleged plans to replace Orange.  Several board members and Superintendent Jon Gundry declined to say at that meeting whether Orange was going to be replaced or disciplined in any way.