A Helias Catholic High School instructor and football coach is being disciplined after students reported he used a racial slur while teaching a class last week.
Details regarding the personnel matter, including the exact disciplinary action, could not be released, Helias President the Rev. Stephen Jones told the News Tribune.
"We really can't talk about personnel issues," Jones said. "We can confirm that there was an incident along those lines."
The teacher is being disciplined, and the allegations are being investigated, he said.
"We feel very, very strongly about this issue," Jones said. "The use of any kind of racially charged language is never viewed as being appropriate certainly in educational context at all, much less in educational context within a Catholic school. We stand with the teachings of the church, upholding the dignity of all human beings, and so we feel strongly about it.
"Yes, disciplinary actions were taken as we investigated that charge."
The school follows the Diocese of Jefferson City's school policy, which states people involved with Catholic education should demonstrate those beliefs. The policy states: "Personnel must be consistent in expression and example with the teaching and practice of the Catholic faith and shall not teach, advocate, encourage or counsel beliefs or practices contrary to the Catholic faith."