A California high school principal who was placed on leave after a video of him inappropriately dancing with the school mascot went viral has now learned his fate.
Robert Nunes of Buhach Colony High School was initially suspended after a video showed him sliding around in an office chair in the school gymnasium as its Viking mascot walked toward him during a back-to-school rally in Atwater, California.
After being suspended for the stunt last month, he later resigned.
However, after his resignation on Thursday, the district decided that Nunes will still be allowed to work at the school, but will be demoted to “associate principal.”
The scandal began after the video featured Nunes twerking to the soundtrack of Ginuwine’s ‘Pony.’
Nunes was then seen using a confetti gun to simulate something inappropriate while aiming at the mascot, before switching places with her, all in front of hundreds of cheering students.
The principal of a California high school has been demoted after a video of him inappropriately dancing with the school mascot went viral.
Nunes was placed on administrative leave last month following the video and later resigned. He has now been demoted to associate director.
The video, posted on social media, shows Robert Nunes of Buhach Colony High School sliding around in an office chair as the school mascot walks toward him at a back-to-school rally.
Nunes then spins around, dances on the mascot’s chest and places her hands on him, before someone can be heard asking her if she has any words.
“What happens in Buhach stays in Buhach,” Nunes could be heard shouting, echoing the infamous motto of people visiting Las Vegas.
The crowd went wild as students ran onto the basketball court and surrounded the principal as they celebrated.
But Nunes’ involvement in the event brought unwanted attention to the school and the district, and the media attention led many to question her suitability for a leadership role at the school.
The district, in particular, seemed to take a dim view of Nunes’ behavior, even though the dance with the mascot was coordinated with student approval.
“This decision is part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all students and staff,” the Merced Union High School District said in a statement Thursday. “Corrective action has been taken with all staff involved.”
Torrin Johnson served as interim director while Nunes was on administrative leave and will continue in the role until further notice.
Many of those commenting online were not happy with the suggestive nature of the video.
Nunes appeared to be participating in a skit that had been organized by students.
Nunes can be seen pushing the mascot out of the school gymnasium.
The school district intends to hire a new permanent principal to fill the position in the spring.
Over the past few weeks, the clip has circulated on local and national news, eventually making its way to the popular social media account LibsofTikTok.
Ryan Atberry, a father of two students at the school who sent in the video, said what disturbed him most was the fact that the children were defending Nunes.
“He could be a good guy. I don’t know him, but I’ve heard a lot of students defend him,” Attebery said. ABC30.
“They say things like, ‘Oh, he’s trying to be funny,’ but if you’re the one trying to be funny, just don’t be funny. Or he was trying to be nice to the kids, but that’s not cool,” she added.
An anonymous parent defended Nunes, saying, “I think the kids liked the pep rally. They thought it was fun. I understand what they’re doing, but I think they’re pushing her too hard.”
But parents like Atteberry find the trick odd.
“What’s strange, to me, is strange,” Atteberry said. Your Central Valley‘In the end, I would feel super guilty if in five years something came out and I could have said something.’
The students seemed amused when the mascot made a pinching gesture at Nunes’ face as the music played.
To the soundtrack of Ginuwine’s ‘Pony,’ Nunes throws confetti at the mascot before swapping positions with her. Nunes then spins and dances on the mascot’s chest.
Nunes, right, has now been demoted to associate principal of the school after being placed on administrative leave.
He says that the students were in charge of performing the trick.
“They said the students had organized the whole thing, but the fact that there were no warning signs is probably a red flag,” he said.
The principal describes himself on social media as ‘The Captain, AP student support, dad, father of 4+2000. People won’t remember what you said for long, they’ll remember how you made them feel forever.’
“I don’t think it’s fair that he is under such extensive investigation,” added one anonymous parent during the demonstration.
“I think the guys liked the pep rally. They thought it was fun. I understand what they’re doing, but I think they’re pushing him too hard.”
“Lap dancing and throwing confetti is extremely inappropriate behavior by a principal and especially in a school. Principals need to be held to a higher standard. Schools should be a safe place,” another posted on social media.
“My children have seen worse things in movies or on the Internet, but this behavior should not be seen in schools.”