FRANKLIN, Va. (WAVY) — Some students at Franklin High School walked out of class in protest over a change in principal, though neither the school nor school division, at this point, are explaining why.

Travis Felt, who had been principal at the school since 2012, was a 1991 graduate of the school and has held a number of jobs in the Franklin City Public Schools division, was recently reassigned as the school division's new director of extracurricular activities, JVG and virtual programs.

Sophomore Kaine Britt said it was a "chaotic" day at the school.

"Today, they were planning to do a walkout," Britt said, "and when they were going to do the walkout, they shut all the doors and locked them and said they couldn't leave."

Britt said about 50 students were involved. He said his sister shot video of students attempting a walkout protesting Felts' removal.

"They got down the vocational hall, and when they got down there, they walked them into the hall and would not let them out," Britt said.

During the protest, it was announced through the school that they were in what Kaine said was "code yellow," which meant students were to remain in their classrooms and not leave the school.

Students said they want to know why the principal was released.

"We have no clue," Britt said. "The staff doesn't know. No one knows but him in the end, central office. But we want him back because he was a really good principal."

The school division did put out a message to students advising them that any student who walked out of school or displays derogatory messages on school property would face disciplinary actions. The school is set to hold an assembly Monday that will provide an opportunity to review expectations about student behavior, as well as discuss student perspectives.

"I want them to bring Mr. Felt back," Britt said. "He's a really good principal. I transferred from a different school to Franklin because Mr. Felt was the principal.

Franklin City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carlton Carter is scheduled to host a town hall meeting in the Franklin High School Auditorium from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday. Those attending "must write their questions on paper," and according to a news release, Carter will only respond to the written questions.

A spokesperson for Franklin City Public Schools said it "will not be making any comment on the matter."