BOZEMAN (AP) -- Parents who say the dancing at Bozeman High School's spring prom was lewd want school officials to step up the enforcement of standards.

Most students at the prom held April 8 engaged in a dance that is the equivalent of ''sex with clothes on'' and demeans young women, Dean and Melea Mortenson wrote the Bozeman Daily Chronicle in a letter published Friday. The Mortensons objected to a dance fad called the bump and grind, and urged parents to speak out at Monday's meeting of the Bozeman School Board.

Bozeman High Principal Godfrey Saunders responded that the school discourages inappropriate dancing and has told chaperones they have the right to request that students stop dancing in such a manner. Saunders said he personally has made that request.

However, he added, his main priority at dances is to monitor for drug or alcohol use and to make sure students get home alive.

''I don't want to get another call from (Gallatin County Coroner) Duncan MacNab,'' Saunders said. MacNab called after a student died in a car wreck after the 2000 homecoming dance.

School Superintendent Mike Redburn said dancing has been a concern, but students, parents and Saunders have reported improvements.

Every generation has dances that some find objectionable, Saunders said.

''Remember Elvis?'' he asked. ''They couldn't show his hips on TV.''

Mrs. Mortenson, a mother of eight, said the type of dancing to which she objects goes well beyond the Charleston.

She said she did not attend the prom but heard from her son and other students that 80 percent of the students present did the bump and grind. It often involves a boy grabbing a girl by the waist, from behind, while she bends over. Together they thrust their hips to the beat of music. Often a group closes in tightly, in a kind of simulated orgy.

''My phone has been ringing off the hook'' since the letter was published, Mrs. Mortenson said. She said parents have told her they are pleased someone is speaking out. Some are discussing an alternative prom. But one parent told the Mortensons that if they do not like the dancing, then their children need not attend the prom.

''It's their high school, too,'' Mrs. Mortenson said. Students embarrassed by the dancing should not have to dance in a hallway or on edges of the dance floor to avoid grinders, she said.

Mrs. Mortenson said she appreciates that Saunders has taken steps to discourage inappropriate dancing. They include using the high school television system to air announcements that involve use of puppets to show what kind of dancing is unsuitable.

Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com