Posted: Feb. 5, 2010

Because of minimal interest, the turnabout dance scheduled for next weekend at Menomonee Falls High School has been canceled.

The decision to cancel the dance comes after an ongoing controversy over new rules that banned "grinding" - dancing in a way that imitates a sexual act - at school-sponsored dances.

Superintendent Keith Marty said officials canceled the dance Thursday after fewer than 10 students had signed up for the spring event.

"I think it was combination of a couple of things," Marty said.

He speculated that some students sought to protest the new code of conduct for dances, while others might have been interested in going to a student-sponsored alternative dance instead. At  least 75 students have already signed up for that dance.

Of the school's three major dances, Marty said, turnabout, where the girls ask the boys to attend, is the least attended. Homecoming and prom are more popular, he said.

There is some concern about the students boycotting prom, and Marty acknowledged there may be some degree of protest.

"Prom is one of those things … kids really want to go to," Marty said.

The Student Council will reimburse the students who signed up for turnabout - tickets were $20 a person or $40 a couple.

The council is expected to lose about $800 on the event.