SAN DIEGO -- An assistant high school principal was placed on administrative leave Wednesday while officials look into allegations she ordered girls to lift their skirts to prove they weren't wearing thong underwear.

SOUND OFF Was Rita Wilson Insane, Or Right On?

Parents and students have said Rita Wilson, a Rancho Bernardo High School assistant principal, ordered girls to lift their skirts in view of others attending Friday's costume-party dance at the school.

She apparently was making sure they weren't wearing thong underwear, although the undergarments aren't banned under the school's dress code.

"As a parent myself, I certainly understand the concern these allegations have raised," Poway Unified School District Superintendent Don Phillips said. "If these allegations prove to be true, the actions on April 26 were clearly outside our school district's policies and procedures."

Wilson, assistant principal since 1997, was notified this afternoon that she will be on administrative leave pending the inquiry.

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Phillips said the district provides "extensive training and discussion" about respect for students' rights and proper procedures.

"We take this situation very seriously," Phillips said. "The inquiry has the highest priority possible, and it will be completed promptly."

One parent, Cindy Chappel, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that the alleged incident "was a violation of these kids' privacy, and very embarrassing for kids at that age."

Chappel's 16-year-old daughter said her bra was exposed while Wilson checked her tube top. The girl said Wilson asked her if her tube top was attached to her bra and then grabbed the top and yanked it down, exposing most of her bra.

"I felt embarrassed because there were about 50 people standing around," the girl said.

A San Diego police officer patrolling the dance told the newspaper that he saw Wilson force dozens of girls to lift their skirts.

Officer Greg Bisesto said he heard Wilson ask the girls, "Are you wearing underwear? If so, is it a thong? ... Then let me check."

Some have said that at last year's "MORP" dance -- "prom" spelled backwards -- one girl took off her underwear on the dance floor and exposed herself.

According to parents, boys wearing togas were ordered by a male teacher to show they were wearing underwear at Friday's MORP.

"Everyone is just appalled and devastated," Kim Teal, whose daughter, Rebecca, attended the dance, told the Los Angeles Times. "They definitely crossed any line of decency."

Wilson is one of four assistant principals at the school, which has an enrollment of about 3,100 students. She was described by students as being a strict administrator who is known for enforcing the rules.