Current:Home > MarketsVideo shows California principal's suggestive pep rally dancing. Now he's on leave. -FinanceCore
Video shows California principal's suggestive pep rally dancing. Now he's on leave.
View
Date:2025-04-15 21:39:11
A California high school principal is on leave after a parent caught wind of a suggestive dance at a pep rally.
Ryan Attebery took to Facebook on Saturday to share a 48-second snippet of a back-to-school rally held at Buhach Colony High School in Atwater, about 120 miles southeast of San Francisco.
Attebery, who has a son that attends Buhach, told NBC affiliate KSEE-TV that he took the video from his son's Instagram account and decided to re-post it on his social media account, writing in the caption: "Am I a square or was this weird (expletive) for a principal to do?"
The video shows someone dressed as the school mascot, Thor, dancing suggestively in front of Principal Robert Nunes, who is seated in a chair. At some point Nunes gets up and dances suggestively while Thor is in the chair. At some point Nunes says into the microphone: "What happens in Buhach stays in Buhach!" as students loudly cheer.
The video has garnered a mixed response online, with some coming to Nunes' defense while others called the video inappropriate.
Attebery's video had been played over 190,000 times by Friday evening.
Even though Attebery was told that students helped coordinate the event, he felt that "the fact that there were no red flags probably is a red flag," he told the station, calling the video "weird."
“At the end of the day, I would feel super guilty if five years from now something came out and I could have said something," he told the station, saying parents had a right to know.
Some called the skit 'weird,' others call it 'school spirit'
Attebery wasn't the only one who felt "weird" about the video, with multiple people echoing a similar sentiment in the comments.
"It is very weird. I’m pretty sure a Vegas theme is not appropriate for a high school event," Rosemarie Hertgen-Young wrote. "I mean gambling, strippers, lap dances etc. What was he thinking? Something was bound to go wrong."
Tiffany Thorpe agreed with Attebery's opinion, calling the skit "disturbing" and "very suggestive."
"Weird and inappropriate. Who cares if the kids thought it was funny or even planned this. They are literally KIDS who don’t have the capacity to make adult decisions," Katelyn Boose wrote. "The adults should’ve spoke up when something like this was mentioned in the planning process and said no way, that’s inappropriate."
Some thought Nunes was just showing "school spirit."
"The kids are cheering and laughing!! School Spirit!" Patty Klingerman wrote. "He’s involved with the kids in a joking manner!! For those who had anything to do with his suspension ... Shame on you!! Get a life and let your children be children."
Alexandria Juntilla wrote that she understands people thinking it's inappropriate, "but honestly, I think people need to chill out ... I remember my high school experience and the dance team was far more risky than that."
A couple of others defended Nunes, saying they knew him personally and that he was beloved by the school community.
"This man is so widely respected and loved by everyone in his community," Justin Rogers wrote. "Teachers love him, students love him and co-workers love him. Stop making it out like he had bad intensions."
'Comprehensive reviews' underway, school district says
Nunes has been on administrative leave since Monday, two days after Attebery reposted the video, according to a statement from the Merced Union High School District. The move to place Nunes on leave was the direct result of the documented "incident."
"This decision comes as part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all students and staff," Merced Union High School District said.
A "comprehensive review" of the situation is underway. Nunes will not participate in any school-related responsibilities or activities for the remainder of the investigation, according to Merced Union.
A district staff member and an associate principal have been tapped to lead the school in the interim, to "ensure the continuity of leadership and support for our students and staff."
"MUHSD will provide updates as appropriate while respecting the confidentiality of the investigation process."
USA TODAY has reached out to Buhach Colony High School for comment.
veryGood! (359)
Related
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Brittany Cartwright Slams Ex Jax Taylor for Criticizing Her Drinking Habits
- How to download directions on Google Maps, Apple Maps to navigate easily offline
- A man charged with helping the Hong Kong intelligence service in the UK has been found dead
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- The bodies of 4 men and 2 women were found strangled, piled up in Mexican resort of Acapulco
- Mississippi woman pleads guilty to stealing government funds
- Delaware lawmakers OK bill enabling board of political appointees to oversee hospital budgets
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits still available in stores amid location closures, bankruptcy
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Turkish Airlines resumes flights to Afghanistan nearly 3 years after the Taliban captured Kabul
- Caitlin Clark announces endorsement deal with Wilson, maker of WNBA's official basketball
- 'The Voice' finale: Reba McEntire scores victory with soulful powerhouse Asher HaVon
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- The Latest | UN food aid collapses in Rafah as Israeli leaders decry war crime accusations
- UN food agency warns that the new US sea route for Gaza aid may fail unless conditions improve
- Mourners begin days of funerals for Iran’s president and others killed in helicopter crash
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
A top ally of Pakistan’s imprisoned former premier Imran Khan is released on bail in graft case
Ex-Southern Baptist seminary administrator charged with falsifying records in DOJ inquiry
Wendy's offers $3 breakfast combo as budget-conscious consumers recoil from high prices
Sam Taylor
Analysis: Iran’s nuclear policy of pressure and talks likely to go on even after president’s death
New cars in California could alert drivers for breaking the speed limit
Sherpa guide Kami Rita climbs Mount Everest for his record 30th time, his second one this month