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Principal James Rollins, right, and Anastasia Riddell prepare to cut the ribbon on the new Viking Vault on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Northside High School in Lafayette. The in-school store features branded Northside High attire.

 STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD BOWIE

h rapper Torence "Boosie" Hatch asked for Northside High School Principal James Rollins to be reinstated in a social media post on Friday.

Rollins was placed on administrative leave after Hatch made an appearance at Northside High School. Sources told the Acadiana Advocate that Hatch visited the school on Wednesday afternoon with State Rep. Tehmi Chassion, D-Lafayette, without district approval, violating LPSS policy.

“I’m asking that the school board in Lafayette please, please allow this man to be principal again,” Hatch said in a video posted to Facebook. “This man had no ill will towards anything.”

Hatch claims in the video that he did not rap during the visit and Rollins asked him to tell the students “some positive words.”

“This man had nothing but great intentions for them students,” Hatch said.

Hatch was arrested in 2009 and served prison time for gun and drug convictions. In January, he was sentenced to three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The rapper was in Lafayette to promote Boosie Bash, an annual concert, which will be held at the Cajundome next week. The concert has been held in Baton Rouge, Hatch’s hometown, since its inception in 2017.

Rollins was appointed principal of Northside High in June 2024. He has more than 25 years of experience in education and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of h at Lafayette and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Southern University.