Current:Home > ScamsVideo shows California principal's suggestive pep rally dancing. Now he's on leave. -Streamline Finance
Video shows California principal's suggestive pep rally dancing. Now he's on leave.
View
Date:2025-04-20 01:32:12
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! (9)
Related
- Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
- 'Game of Thrones' author George R.R. Martin says book adaptations almost always 'make it worse'
- Man accused of driving toward people outside New York Jewish school charged with hate crimes
- Louisiana may soon require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments
- PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Wednesday August 7, 2024
- France’s Macron urges a green light for Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia with Western weapons
- Sheriff denies that officers responding to Maine mass shooting had been drinking
- Massive international police operation takes down ransomware networks, arrests 4 suspects
- Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.
- NHTSA seeks records from Tesla in power steering loss probe
Ranking
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Xi pledges more Gaza aid and talks trade at summit with Arab leaders
- US Olympic pairs figure skating coach Dalilah Sappenfield banned for life for misconduct
- Argentina court postpones the start of a trial in a criminal case involving the death of Maradona
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- The love in Bill Walton's voice when speaking about his four sons was unforgettable
- ‘Pure grit.’ Jordan Chiles is making a run at a second Olympics, this time on her terms
- IRS makes free tax return program permanent and is asking all states to join in 2025
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Gift registries after divorce offer a new way to support loved ones
Wildfire near Canada’s oil sands hub under control, Alberta officials say
North Korea fires missile barrage toward its eastern waters days after failed satellite launch
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
Death penalty: Alabama couple murdered in 2004 were married 55 years before tragic end
'Evening the match': Melinda French Gates to give $1 billion to women's rights groups
The love in Bill Walton's voice when speaking about his four sons was unforgettable