A principal at a California high school has been placed on leave after a parent shared a video of a suggestive dance during a pep rally.

On Saturday, Ryan Attebery posted a 48-second clip from a back-to-school rally at Buhach Colony High School, located about 120 miles from San Francisco, on Facebook.

Attebery, whose son is a student there, explained to NBC affiliate KSEE-TV that he obtained the video from his son’s Instagram and chose to share it, questioning in his post: “Am I out of touch, or was this behavior odd for a principal?”

The footage features the mascot, Thor, dancing suggestively in front of Principal Robert Nunes, who is initially seated. Eventually, Nunes stands and joins in the suggestive dancing, at one point proclaiming into a microphone, “What happens in Buhach stays in Buhach,” which elicited cheers from the students.

The online reaction to the video has been mixed, with some defending Nunes while others deemed the content inappropriate.

Attebery’s video has received over 190,000 views as of Friday night.

While he noted that students were involved in organizing the event, Attebery expressed concern that the lack of objections was itself troubling, labeling the video as “weird.”

“I would feel really guilty if something similar came out five years from now and I hadn’t said anything,” he added, emphasizing the right of parents to be informed.

Responses Varied: Some Found It ‘Weird,’ Others Celebrated ‘School Spirit’

Attebery wasn’t alone in thinking the video was “weird,” as many commenters shared similar views.

One commenter, Rosemarie Hertgen-Young, expressed concern over the appropriateness of a “Vegas theme” at a high school event, stating, “I’m pretty sure this is not suitable for students.” She noted that the performance could lead to problematic situations.

Tiffany Thorpe echoed this sentiment, calling the skit “disturbing” and “very suggestive.”

Another parent, Katelyn Boose, criticized the adults involved, saying that children shouldn’t have been responsible for approving such behavior, emphasizing the need for adult supervision in planning.

Conversely, some defended Nunes, suggesting he was simply promoting “school spirit.” Patty Klingerman argued, “The students were cheering and having fun! He was just engaging with them in a lighthearted way. Those opposing his actions should reconsider their stance.”

Alexandria Juntilla, while acknowledging differing opinions, urged others to relax, recalling that her own high school events were often more risqué than what was shown in the video.

Additionally, a few supporters of Nunes mentioned that he is a well-liked figure within the school community, with one individual stating, “He is respected and beloved by students and staff alike. Let’s not misconstrue his intentions.”

Investigation and Administrative Actions Underway

Since the clip’s resurfacing, Nunes has been on administrative leave, starting Monday, two days after the video was shared online, according to a statement from the Merced Union High School District. The leave was a direct reaction to the incident captured in the footage.

According to the district, the decision was made to uphold a “safe and respectful environment” for everyone at the school.

A thorough investigation is currently ongoing. During this period, Nunes is not allowed to engage in any school-related duties. In the meantime, an associate principal and another staff member have assumed leadership roles to maintain support for students and staff.

The Merced Union High School District plans to provide updates while ensuring the confidentiality of the review process.

YSL News has reached out to Buhach Colony High School for further comments.