Charter School Students Protest Against Administration

Protesters want the resignation of the principal at Crossroads Charter High School. Students say he won't let them get a hot meal for lunch and that he and other teachers call them racist nicknames. WSOC-TV No Hot Lunch Students say they don't get hot lunches. School principal says the school doesn't receive federal money for hot lunches.

The protest started as a sit-in with about 80 students packing the dining area of the school. They took the protest outside to the sidewalks and streets around the school.

They have been chanting a variety of things, including, "We want a hot lunch."

The students have a long list of grievances they say are not being addressed.

First, they are calling for the school's principal, Charles Newton, to resign. Protesters said he is not living up to his end of the deal or making the changes he promised, including providing a hot lunch for all the students.

Students also said they have been the target of racist nicknames.

"I don't understand. What is that? I've never heard "Tigger" before. What is that supposed to be reference to? We know what that's supposed to mean. And that's not cool at all," said student William Foxworth.

"The students and some disgruntled parents were opposing the strict enforcement of the rules. And the tough love, we don't play, strictly businesses philosophy that we have at the school, that's the bottom line," said Newton.

Protesters said that there are parts of the school, including the cafeteria, that have been shut down because of the fear of asbestos.

The school has a contractor coming out next week to determine whether asbestos is present.

Herman Tate is a student leader. He said the administrators have lost sight of the purpose at school.

"The school is a place of learning and we feel that we don't have a leader to help us reach our potential," he said. VIDEO: Charter School Students Protest Against Administration

And potential, students say, can't be reached without a hot-lunch program and an asbestos-free school.

Crossroad's Principal Charles Newton stresses the students concerns are important to him.

"We accept dropouts. We accept kids who've even failed CMS alternative school," he said.

But he believes the students are more upset about the school's strict approach to discipline.

"This is a different kind of school and we don't not allow things to go on here that got them kicked out of their previous public school," said Newton.

He also said the school isn't eligible for a hot-lunch program because they don't receive federal money.

"Part of the reason we don't have food service operation is because there's the possibility of asbestos," he said.

Tammy Jones is a part of the parent advisory group to the board of directors. She just wants to be sure they're putting the students first.

"We can all come together, unite and help these students as one -- where they can learn and further their education," she said.

The students and parents said they will continue protesting until they get some answers.