A Boone County High School teacher was placed on leave Thursday, Sept. 24, after handing students a word search containing a racial slur.

The teacher distributed the puzzle during class that morning at the Florence school, which serves about 1,250 students in grades 9-12. Boone County Schools described the material as including a "deeply offensive racial slur" but did not identify the specific word, as first reported by LINK nky.

Students themselves brought the puzzle to administrators' attention. The district acted the same day, placing the teacher on immediate leave.

The district has not named the teacher, has not disclosed the subject taught and has not explained how or why the puzzle ended up in students' hands. An investigation is underway.

Community Relations Coordinator Barbra Brady said in a news release that there is no place in the district's schools for language that demeans or marginalizes others based on race, identity or background. Brady said administrators will seek disciplinary action to the maximum extent allowed.

Principal Stacey Black said she is meeting with counselors and all affected students. In an emailed statement, Black apologized on behalf of the staff and thanked the students who reported the material.

"I sincerely apologize on behalf of our staff to our entire school community," Black said. "We will increase our efforts to ensure that this does not happen again."

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hauswald responded in a separate emailed statement.

"I am deeply disappointed that one of our teachers failed to meet the curricular requirements and inclusive expectations we set for EVERY employee at all of our schools," Hauswald said.

Boone County Schools, the third-largest district in Kentucky, serves more than 20,000 students.

The district has not announced a timeline for completing its investigation or a date for any disciplinary hearing.