An investigation is underway after Hazard High School students were photographed giving lap dances to staff members and wearing little clothing during the school’s homecoming week festivities.
Students and staff participated in a “Man Pageant” and “Costume Day” on Tuesday where the photos were taken and then posted on the school’s Facebook page. The photos have since been removed.
The photos showed students in underwear-type clothing and giving lap dances to faculty, including Hazard High School Principal Donald Mobelini. Female students were also photographed wearing “Hooters” outfits, with students and staff members apparently paddling one another.
Sondra Combs, superintendent of Hazard Independent Schools, told The Courier Journal the district “has a tradition of excellence and academics and everything we do, but the incident is being investigated and once the investigation is complete, appropriate action will be taken.”
Kentucky Department of Education spokeswoman Toni Konz Tatman told the newspaper the department is “aware of what took place in Hazard Independent Schools” and has “been in contact with the superintendent, who has informed us that the incident is under investigation.”
Mobelini has previously been investigated — In 2008, he was photographed driving his daughter and four of her teenage friends while they drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes in his vehicle, according to the Herald-Leader.
Also in 2008, 12 underage students were charged with alcohol intoxication after they were found drinking on the Hazard High School football field. Mobelini, according to the Herald-Leader, was with the students 30 minutes before police arrived on the scene.
In addition to being the high school principal, Mobelini is the mayor of Hazard.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
