California principal placed on leave over inappropriate dance with mascot
A viral video shows a high school principal engaging in a seemingly risqué dance with the school's mascot during the back-to-school rally. (Ryan Attebery/@recklessmma/TMX)
A high school principal in central California has been placed on administrative leave as an investigation is underway into a video showing him dancing in what some have called an inappropriate manner with the school's mascot during a back-to-school rally.
The Merced Union High School District shared a statement with Fox News Digital that said Robert Nunes, principal of Buhach Colony High School in Atwater, was on administrative leave effective Aug. 19.
The district said this action is in response to an incident at the back-to-school rally on Aug. 16.
"The District is conducting a comprehensive review of the situation. While the investigation is ongoing, Mr. Nunes will not be participating in any school-related responsibilities or activities," Viviana Fuentes, director of communications for the school district, said in the statement.
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Buhach Colony High School Principal Robert Nunes was placed on leave for a seemingly inappropriate dance with a mascot at a back-to-school pep rally. (Ryan Attebery/@recklessmma/TMX | Google Maps)
Fuentes added that this decision comes as part of their commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all students and staff.
In the nearly 40-second video posted on social media, Nunes is seen sitting in an office chair in the middle of the gym floor, pushing himself backward, and the school’s mascot is seductively approaching him as the song "Pony" by Ginuwine is heard playing while the crowd of students watches.
Nunes then fires off a cannon full of gold confetti and swaps places with the mascot.
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A California high school principal was placed on administrative leave Monday after he seemingly danced inappropriately with a mascot during a back-to-school rally. (Ryan Attebery/@recklessmma/TMX)
The video then shows Nunes placing his hands on the mascot's chest while he slides them down the mascot.
Several students join Nunes and the mascot on the floor and ask him if he'd like to share any words.
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A risqué dance with the mascot at a school rally leads to a California high school principal being placed on leave during the investigation. (Ryan Attebery/@recklessmma/TMX)
"What happens at Buhach stays at Buhach," Nunes shouts to the cheering crowd before wheeling the mascot off the floor.
Several people have commented on the video with mixed emotions about the dance.
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Robert Nunes, the principal of a California high school, has been placed on leave after a video of him dancing inappropriately with the school's mascot during a back-to-school rally went viral. (Ryan Attebery/@recklessmma/TMX)
"When the principal is every student's 'best friend', the school is lost," one person commented.
"Why must everything be sexualized?" another asked.
"This is truly disgusting behavior it has no place in a school," another person wrote.
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However, another person disagreed and wrote, "Lighten up. They’re having fun."
Fuentes said the school district will provide updates when appropriate while respecting the confidentiality of the investigation process.
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