Students at Sewickley Academy organized a petition calling for change in school leadership Thursday.
They were accompanied by a teacher and some parents as they tried to deliver it to administrators, but according to school leaders, police were called to the school.
In a statement, Head of School Ashley Birtwell claimed police were called because the students "refused to cooperate, and their disorderly conduct escalated."
This caused Sewickley Academy leaders to cancel classes for high school students Friday.
According to Birtwell, tensions began to rise on campus due to a myriad of actions at the Senior School by certain Senior School faculty members.
The statement said certain faculty members were sharing information about personnel changes with students in-and-out of class. An unsanctioned op-in session focused on Critical Race Theory was also conducted, which Birtwell says is postponed until a later date.
A petition was created on Change.org by members of the Sewickley Academy Alumni to ensure the school's legacy and to protect diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice.
The group is asking for a third-party examination of the dismissal of the head of school and team of administrators, a replacement of Birtwell, an assurance that a new head of school will consider faculty input in hiring and accountability from a new board that includes people of color.
Be sure to follow KDKA NewsRadio on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates.
