SAUK VILLAGE | A group of about 50 parents and children marched in front of Rickover Junior High School on Thursday morning in the hopes of ousting the school's principal and superintendent.

The march was led by Javette Jones, a mother of an eighth-grader who was recently denied participation in her graduation ceremony because she failed to attend one of three practice sessions. According to Jones, her daughter, Bria Jones, made it to two practices, but had to miss a third in order to travel to Springfield to participate in Youth Democracy Day, a program that allows students to mingle with their local lawmakers.

She said Principal Julie Iverson and District 168 Superintendent Rudy Williams are part of a corrupt administration and there was no reason why her daughter should not have been allowed to walk with her graduating class.

"Iverson does what she wants. This is just part of her bullying tactics. It's not in the policy. It's a rule she made up. It's not written anywhere," Javette Jones said.

Other parents carried signs stating "Out with Ms. Iverson & Mr. Williams" and "Fair Treatment. Out with Iverson."

Calls made to Iverson and Williams for comment Thursday afternoon were not returned.

Jones commented on the reason for the march.

"It is to let them know we need a change. We want new a administration. We want to remove the superintendent and principal. They are part of the Ryan administration."

Thomas E. Ryan served as the district's superintendent from 1989 until 2005 when a financial investigation led to felony charges. He later pleaded guilty to felony theft and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was released in 2008 after serving more than two years.

Williams was the principal of Rickover at the time of Ryan's dismissal and became acting superintendent after Ryan was removed from office. Williams was officially hired as superintendent in May 2006. Iverson was hired as principal in June 2006; she had been the associate principal.

Jones hoped to collect enough petition signatures to have Iverson and Williams removed from their positions. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, removing members of the administration is decided by the local School Board.

Board member Suzanne Arnold said Thursday the subject has not come up for discussion by the seven-member District 168 School Board.

If it were to be discussed, it likely would be during an executive, or closed, session of the board, while any action on the matter would be handled during the public portion of the meeting, Arnold said.

Topics to be discussed at School Board meetings are posted publicly ahead of the meetings, Arnold said.

She said she didn't witness the march and would not comment on it.

"I haven't discussed it with anyone," she said.

Though a petition will get the attention of the board, legally, it is not a reason for discharge.