Father Interrupts Daughter’s Graduation to Prevent Her from Shaking Superintendent’s Hand

A high school graduation ceremony at Baraboo High School turned chaotic when a father forcefully intervened to prevent his daughter from shaking the hand of the district superintendent, Rainey Briggs. The incident, captured on video, has sparked widespread discussion and concern within the immediate Baraboo community and on social media.

The father, whose identity is withheld to protect his daughter, rushed the stage just as his daughter received her diploma and began greeting school officials. As she approached Superintendent Briggs, the father, dressed in a white polo shirt and baseball cap, grabbed Briggs by the arm and pushed him away, exclaiming, "That’s my daughter." In the ensuing moments, Briggs can be heard responding, "You better get up off me man. Get away from me bro," as staff and three Baraboo police officers intervened. One voice in the video notably says, “I don’t want her touching him.”

The father was promptly escorted out of the venue by police. The Baraboo School District has referred a disorderly conduct charge against him to the Sauk County District Attorney’s Office.

In a statement, district spokesperson Hailey Wagner emphasized the district's commitment to safety: "We would like to emphasize that the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community members is a top priority." The statement also reiterated the district’s intent to keep the focus on the graduates' achievements.

Friday's incident comes at a tense time for the Baraboo School District. A group of residents, including former district employees, has been vocally critical of Superintendent Briggs and the School Board, with ongoing efforts to recall School Board President Kevin Vodak.

Critics have accused the administration of favoritism, poor support for teachers, and questionable dismissals of school staff. These grievances have been widely discussed on social media platforms like Baraboo Community Conversations and Baraboo SD WI Parents’ Rights in Education.

The motive behind the father's actions remains unclear. Some parents speculate on social media that it was a protest against the district's handling of bullying incidents involving his daughter. However, this has not been officially confirmed.

The community reaction has been mixed, with many expressing sympathy for the daughter. Comments on the incident highlight the embarrassment and disruption caused during what should have been a celebratory moment. One commenter noted, "Terrible father. He took HER moment and made it about him and his hangups," while another added, "The daughter looked so ashamed. He humiliated her in front of her entire class."

The Baraboo School District continues to work closely with law enforcement as the investigation into the incident proceeds. Meanwhile, the district’s statement underscores their dedication to honoring the graduates: "Our primary focus remains on celebrating the achievements of our graduates. We want to ensure that the significance of this milestone and the hard work of our students are not overshadowed by this unfortunate event."

See the full story on Channel 3000 here.