Atrisco Heritage High School employees placed on leave after prom controversy
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Thursday, Albuquerque Public Schools has put some Atrisco Heritage employees on leave pending an investigation. This after parents and students expressed outrage over racy entertainment at prom.
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Videos of a dancer in drag performing at Atrisco Heritage High School’s senior prom last weekend went viral over social media. Angry parents began demanding answers from school officials asking how it was allowed. Parents KRQE News 13 spoke to wanted to remain anonymous to protect their children’s identities.
“Something like this is not appropriate for a high school event. Something like this should be for adults,” said one parent.
“What did they think they were going to get out of it? Like that’s so inappropriate,” said another mother.
The incident has since led to Albuquerque Public Schools starting an investigation to “determine what occurred and how students were impacted.”
Thursday afternoon, Albuquerque Public Schools said employees have been put on administrative leave pending an investigation. KRQE News 13 has learned that it is four school administrators.
Thursday morning, parents received an email saying “Anthony Lovato has been appointed as the acting principal of Atrisco Heritage Academy”. KRQE News 13 asked APS if the principal was put on leave. They did not give specifics but did “confirm that employees have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.” APS would not answer which employees were put on leave.
Wednesday, the performer in this story declined to go on camera but spoke to KRQE News 13 over the phone. He said he was invited to the prom, not hired, but did not elaborate further. The performer also said he is angered by the reaction to the video and the media attention, saying he’s received death threats and threats against his employer. Some parents have told KRQE News 13 that they’re happy with APS’s announcement regarding the new acting principal, saying it’s a “step in the right direction.”
