A Hudson County school vice principal has been put on paid leave after accusations he made homophobic remarks on social media.

Vincent DeCicco has been the principal at Kingston High School for three years. He is accused of using a derogatory term on social media to describe a person who is gay.

He allegedly made the inappropriate remark on his personal Facebook page in a post about the high school football team.

The Kingston City School District released a statement on their website saying, “We are treating this matter very seriously and have placed the individual on paid administrative leave while we continue to conduct a thorough review of the situation.

People News 12 spoke to in the Ulster County city are upset by the remarks and say DeCicco should be suspended without pay during the district’s probe. 

“I think it’s odd he’d be suspended with pay after doing something like that,” Andrea Chrisjohn. 

“They should have cut him off instantly,” said Valerie Welsh. 

News 12 reached out to the district superintendent for comment but hasn't heard back.

DeCicco has worked for the school district for 16 years and was the vice principal at the high school for three years before he was promoted in 2019.

News 12 was not able to find contact information for him to reach out for comment.

LGBTQ advocates say they’re disappointed by the alleged conduct and expected more from a district employee.

Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Center Director Peter Criswell told News12 by phone that, "People in leadership positions, especially those working with young people, must honor others and how they want to be identified." 

Criswell also said the district has been a proactive leader on LGBTQ issues and in embracing all students, which is another reason why he’s disappointed by the alleged behavior.

The Kingston School District said online that that comment does not reflect the school district’s core values and commitment to a welcoming culture for everyone.