VIDALIA, La. — Vidalia High Principal Rick Brown said he told students at the school that if they did not stop dancing in a vulgar manner at last year’s prom, they would not get a prom this year.

And according to the Concordia Parish School Board’s Tuesday night vote, the school doesn’t have to have one. A motion mandating that prom be held at the school this spring failed 3-5 during the school board meeting.

&uot;Sex with their clothes on&uot; was how Brown described the manner in which he saw students dancing at last year’s prom.

He added that students continued to dance that way after they were warned to stop dancing in a suggestive manner and lights were turned on full blast.

Brown said that instead of a prom, upperclassmen will have the chance to attend a banquet at the Radisson Natchez Eola Hotel this spring.

But some who attended the meeting disagreed with Brown’s decision and the School Board vote that followed it.

&uot;This is their last opportunity to be together as seniors,&uot;&160;said Margaret Mays, who also said parents weren’t notified of Brown’s decision. &uot;Why does the principal have the authority to cancel prom?&uot;

&uot;My son doesn’t want to go to the Eola Hotel,&uot;&160;said Willie Dunbar, the parent of a Vidalia High senior. &uot;If you sent a letter to parents and met with them, they would be glad to (chaperone) the dance. Don’t just shut the kids out in their last year.&uot;

There is a simple solution to vulgar dancing at school function, said Warren Dewayne Brown – &uot;if they get out of line, you can escort them out of the gym.&uot;

Those voting for a prom to be held at Vidalia High were the Rev. Johnnie Brown, Mary Campbell and Warren Dewayne Brown.

Those voting against the motion were Martha Rabb, Ernest Lynn White, Donald Joseph, Darrell &uot;Bubba&uot; Crofford and Mike Grantham.

Board member Ricky Raven was absent.