Royal Oak Students March in Support of Principal Michael Greening

About 100 students marched around the school grounds Friday morning in support of Principal Michael Greening, who is charged with two counts of felony embezzlement and .

Students chanted "free Greening" during the walk out which lasted about 20 minutes. Some students wore green and had "Free Greening" patches attached to their clothing.

Toward the end of the march, Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin addressed the students, encouraging them to return to class.

"I appreciate the support you are showing for him," Lewis-Lakin said.

At the end of the walk out, the students scattered, some returning to class, others heading to the in Royal Oak to support Greening.

"He's an absolutely awesome principal and he's always saying 'hi' to people in the hallways and it's just not same without him, it's just terrible at our school," said senior Emily Collick, who organized the student walk out.

Greening, who has , is alleged to have taken between $2,000 and up to $40,000 from the school's student activities funds.

Students say they were walking in support of Greening's family and to show that they believe he is innocent.

"He was a good principal," freshman Tyler Anderson said. "I honestly don't believe he stole anything from the school. He's a good person."

"Everyone just knows that (the family) is going through a rough time and Mr. Greening was actually a really good principal," freshman Brianna Hockenberger said.

Hockenberger said the response from Royal Oak teachers is divided with some saying they support Greening and others declining discussion on the issue.