Suspensions have been handed down to two Traverse City schools administrators after the district launched an investigation into the disappearance of the Traverse City West High School's Spirit Rock and determined it had been buried with a backhoe, according to media reports.

According to the Traverse City Ticker, Traverse City West Senior High School Principal Joe Esper received a five-day unpaid suspension and Assistant Principal Charles Kolbusz received a two-day unpaid suspension for the incident.

The large rock was frequently painted by students and was a spot for them to display messages or artwork. It disappeared over the summer. Traverse City Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Soma said when he asked Esper about the rock, he did not get a truthful answer.

Soma said he later learned Esper had asked his assistant to get rid of the rock because it had become a "headache" for administrators, according to the Ticker.

Burying the rock and the subsequent cover-up violated state safety laws and district policies, TCAPS has said.

Esper has called his punishment too harsh and wants to discuss the issue with school board members, according to media reports.