TEHACHAPI, Calif. -- On Wednesday morning, dozens of parents, students, and staff were outside Jacobsen Middle School to show their support for Principal Eric Triguiero and their disapproval of the board's decision.

PTO president Chris Duff said, "We weren't prepared for the shock of there is an ultimate decision that has been made and that decision was made behind closed doors. We weren't asked for our opinions and it was a decision to demote our principal."

Emotions were running high at the middle school as students and parents were still finding out about his demotion through flyers, word of mouth, and even text messages.

Student Joe Barba said, "I'm just kinda crushed. He was a great principal and he was a lot of support for us."

Triguiero did not want to speak on camera, but staff ABC23 spoke to said he was shocked by his demotion.

Robin Hill, a truant security officer at the middle school said, "He was surprised, and he doesn't know why because no ones telling him."

During his five years as principal test scores and attendance have increased, there is a lower expulsion rate, and the school was even nominated as a distinguished school two years ago, and so many people want answers as to why he was demoted.

But all the school district is saying is that they want to go in a different direction.

Superintendent Richard Swanson said, "It was based on philosophy and approaches basically. I can't say it is directly budget, I cant say it was directly performance."

But the school district will not discuss what those philosophies or approaches are, and protesters Wednesday think they are making a big mistake.

"He's for his students, he's for his staff, he would go to bat for any one of us and that's why I think we should go to bat for him. I think everyone of us should go to bat for Mr. T because I think they are making a huge mistake at that district. He's one of a kind," said Robin Hill.

The protesters said they want their voice to be heard by the district and at the very least a specific reason why their principal was demoted.

The next board meeting will be held March 24 at 6 p.m., and there will be an opportunity for public comments.