California school principal placed on leave after parent posts video of principal's 'weird' dance with mascot

A school principal in Atwater, California, was placed on leave after a parent posted a video of him dancing with a mascot at a rally, prompting some to question whether it was inappropriate and unprofessional.

Video of last week's back-to-school event at Buhach Colony High School showed Principal Robert Nunes running his hands over the mascot's chest as he sat in a chair. It appeared to be a Las Vegas-style rally, with playing card decorations on the walls and someone saying, “What happens in Buhach stays in Buhach.”

According to NBC News affiliate KSEE in Fresno, the Merced Union High School District placed Nunes on leave following the video.

Ryan Attebery saw the video on his son's Instagram account and reposted it on Facebook on Saturday with the caption: “Am I a square or was that damn weird for a school principal?”

Reactions were mixed: many community members defended Nunes, while others said it was inappropriate for an educator.

Attebery told KSEE that he felt there were some warning signs in the video and that while others may not agree, “for me, the weird is the weird.”

“A lot of former students commented and said, 'Well, I kind of liked him, what happened?' I'm not a supporter of cancel culture,” Attebery said. “I'm just saying, hey parents, you have a right to know.”

Neither Nunes nor the district immediately responded to NBC News' request for comment on the matter.

On Attebery's Facebook page, people have been debating in comments for days whether this is acceptable behavior for a school principal.

Other commenters defended Nunes. One wrote that he was popular in the local community. The person, identified as Justin Rogers, urged Attebery to stop suggesting that Nunes had bad intentions.

“This man is greatly respected and loved by all in his community,” Rogers wrote. “Teachers love him, students love him, and colleagues love him.”

One person suggested that a private conversation with Nunes might have been “more powerful.” Attebery responded Thursday that he agreed.

“Original intention was to ask my friends and family if I was a 'Karen.' It was a mistake not to expect that,” Attebery wrote. “Could have done it very differently. Lesson learned. That was my mistake.”