Students at Boothbay Region High School staged a peaceful protest on Friday morning, Feb. 27, starting around 8 a.m. They were protesting in support of the teachers, in their contract negotiation with the school board. The contract the teachers are currently working under expired Sept. 1, 2014.

Many students, rather than heading to their classes, participated in a “sit-in” in the school gym. Principal Dan Welch asked the kids about their protest, and gently warned them that they technically were skipping class and would be subject to detention next Friday if they stayed.

“I feel like this is a hard process,” group spokesman senior Chris Groneng said. “But the school board has ignored the teacher's demands for months.”

When asked what the teachers demands were, Groneng said he was told by his teachers that they wanted better health benefits and the ability to earn raises.

Not all students were in favor of the protest, and many did not participate.

“I am not for this protest,” sophomore Kate Friant said. “The students aren't educated enough about the issue. This is none of our business, teacher contracts and salary should not be our concern.”

Friant also said she felt it was “in bad taste” to conduct the protest after the School Spirit Challenge pep rally, which had taken place from 6 to 8 a.m. that morning.

“I have opinions on both sides of this matter,” senior Brenna Alley said, who did participate. “I know the fact-finding group is working right now, finding out how our teachers’ salaries compare to other schools.

“But the fact is, this process is taking too long.”

Alley confirmed later that day that the students who participated were given detention, to be served Friday, March 6.

“We all believe strongly in this,” Alley said, “and a detention is worth it for our hardworking teachers.”

Becky Alley, Brenna’s mother, teaches special ed at the elementary school.

“The student body might not fully understand the situation,” said student body president Karl Alamo, who did not participate. “Their intentions are good, but a protest might have been premature. The students should have given the school board a deadline, like, 'If they haven't reached a contract by this date we will protest.'

“This is just a surprise attack on the administration, which has no control over what is being done.”

Several students were overheard complaining that there were no other students in their classrooms and there was no point in staying at school.

Welch said he had no comment on the protest.