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An Illinois high school teacher has been put on paid leave after being caught on video using a racial slur against a student, per Fox 32.
According to Kankakee School District 111 Supt. Dr. Genevra A. Walters, the teacher used the slur following a minor conflict with a student who was leaving the classroom.
Administrators at Kankakee High School said they reviewed several videos of the incident and took statements from student witnesses. As the school continues to investigate the incident, the teacher was placed on paid leave.
Warning: Video contains explicit language.
"The video is a system of a much larger societal issue," Walters said in a statement. "Although this is a disheartening situation for our students, families, and public education, the root of the problem must be addressed in a systemic way. In light of the circumstances, we are proud of how the students handled the situation."
In the video, several students can be heard laughing after the incident, which the district has described as "nervous laughter."
Students in the classroom at the time the racial was used said they were shocked to hear a teacher employ that kind of language, district officials said.
The Kankakee High School principal will make recommendations to the Human Resources department and the Kankakee School District 111 Board of Education on disciplinary action for the teacher involved in the incident.
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