Madison County school documents confirm a teacher used a racial slur. In a meeting Monday, community members said the district's response isn't enough.WATCH FULL REPORT BELOW: Madison County school documents detail teacher's use of racial slur; community members say district's response falls shortNewly released documents from the Madison County School District reveal what investigators found in one of two incidents involving teachers accused of using racial slurs in their classrooms. One investigation is now closed, while the other remains ongoing.Community members packed the bleachers at Madison County High School's gym for a second consecutive Monday to hear new details about both investigations at a special board meeting.They learned one teacher has returned to the classroom while another remains on administrative leave with pay.One neighbor told me she is not satisfied with the findings."In every other county and every other situation has been a suspension or they have been terminated and let go," Janice Davis Kennedy said.I filed an open records request with the district for the investigative file of the closed case. The report confirms Madison County High School teacher Zachery Peterson used racially explicit language during a parent conference about a student discipline issue.District investigators say Peterson repeated the N-word while defending his position that it could be used in a historical context during classroom instruction. The report also states Peterson told investigators he believed a former school administrator had given him permission to use the term if it appeared in historical curriculum or primary source materials.The report also details a classroom exchange during a Black History Month discussion. Investigators say there was conflicting testimony about whether the N-word was used during class, and that claim could not be conclusively verified.The superintendent ultimately approved disciplinary action including a written reprimand and mandatory professional development.The second incident was captured on video and shared online. Madison Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Pickles confirmed the teacher in that case was removed from the classroom, reassigned to the district office, and later placed on administrative leave with pay. When asked about the timeline for that investigation, Pickles said:"Should be through Wednesday which is the reason I'm pushing to get this report done tomorrow."Janice Davis Kennedy, whose niece recorded the second incident, said the bigger question is not what happened in the classroom, but how district leaders respond."I feel like that is a hostile environment to place them back in the classroom because once again it proves to the students that the school system has failed them once again to see that. Because however you look at it, it is hurtful. If I go to you with one of my concerns and you bring that same person back in front of that victim, then that shows me that you don't care about me as a student," Kennedy said.An NAACP leader was also in attendance at Monday's meeting. He says the next step on behalf of the community is to request a state investigation.I will continue following this story and provide updates as they become available.This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website.Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.Like us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram and X. ...read more read less