The classrooms and hallways at Demopolis High School emptied onto the school’s front lawn at approximately 9:45 this morning as students protested the circumstances surrounding their principal’s contract.

Leon Clark was offered three-year contract extension Monday but declined to sign it, citing the language and wording to his faculty. That offer expired Wednesday and Clark’s status with the school system is unclear beyond May 31, 2012.

Students gathered on the school lawn for approximately 20 minutes and circled the grounds with signs of support for Clark. Other signs and t-shirts implored the Board of Education to offer Clark a different contract and work with him to resolve the issue.

Clark addressed the students and begin to herd them back to class shortly after 10 a.m.