LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock Southwest High School students are sounding the alarm on their school's leadership.
The high school is said to be one of the Little Rock School District's priority schools, with a failing grade and high staff turnover rate.
Now, students are taking charge and calling for change.
Tymia Watson, a Little Rock Southwest High School student, is a part of the Renaissance Team, which works with district administration to help improve the school.
"We are a good group of kids," Watson said. "It's just the inconsistency of the environment."
When students felt their concerns were going unanswered, Watson emailed the school board and asked for their help by attending a meeting.
The meeting was held on Tuesday night, and several students and parents asked the new Little Rock Southwest High School principal and LRSD board members their questions.
"I just want to praise them for doing such a courageous thing and organizing it," LRSD board member Vicki Hatter said. "Having it so structured."
Some of the students' concerns are the school's failing academic status and the revolving door of staff.
"I'm a junior [and] I've had a different principal every year," Little Rock Southwest student Liliana Worthen said.
In January, LRSD hired George Maxey as the new principal.
According to the school district, Maxey is from Florida and has more than 20 years of experience as an educator.
"We are going to adopt one thing at Southwest High School: Protect This House," Maxey said. "We are here to protect our school. This is our school, this is our house, this is where we spend the majority of our time and we deserve to have this house."
Little Rock Southwest student Triston Hardrick is a fan of Maxey's vision, but is skeptical given the school's recent history.
"What he's saying is very promising, but we've had so many principals and different leaders come in," Hardrick said. "They've all said the same thing. We just haven't seen any action."
These students have goals they want to see met and hope the district will listen to them even after they graduate. Watson said some of those are the graduation rate, test scores, safety and consistency with school leadership.
Hatter also plans to introduce a subcommittee that focuses on the priority schools in the district. She hopes to bring accountability for LRSD administration and these schools' academic status.