A middle school music teacher has been reassigned to an adult education program by Johnson City school administrators after it was found that he asked nearly two female students to pose for a photograph in a mermaid costume.

Les Leonard, who was a music teacher since last 17 years with the school, agreed to get transfer from Johnson City's Indian Trail Middle School to a vacant position in adult education. His new job includes testing coordination and also teaching some adult education.

Schools director Richard Bales says transferring Les Leonard was in the school system's best interests. Leonard was suspended following a complaint by a female student that he asked her to stay after class to pose for a photograph with his guitar.

AP reports that the teacher then asked her to put on a mermaid costume for a second photograph but she declined. It was also found later that the girl was in a general music class and was not in the program.

Upon further investigation, it was also found that Leonard had asked at least two other female students to stay after school and put on costumes for photographs.