Story perspectives

Boone County Teacher Placed on Leave Over N-Word Puzzle

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 11:30 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Boone County Suspends Teacher

Boone County (Ky.) placed a teacher on leave after a classroom puzzle contained the N-word.
District officials said the puzzle, handed out on Sept. 24, was hurtful and disrespectful.
Principal Stacey Black apologized, pledged stronger safeguards, and arranged counselors for affected students.
Word Search Labs removed the puzzle after developer Matt Johnson said a student likely altered it for shock value.

Summary

Alumnus Launches Podcast

An alumnus launched an iHeartRadio podcast in 2024 to advocate changing the “Rebels” nickname.
The district retired the “Mr. Rebel” mascot in 2017 after alumni pressure.
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hauswald said the district expects inclusive standards for every employee.
Community Relations Coordinator Barbra Brady reiterated a zero-tolerance policy for race-based marginalizing language.
Principal Stacey Black scheduled meetings with counselors and all students affected by the puzzle incident.

History

Historical Context

After Ole Miss retired the Confederate-linked Colonel Reb mascot in 2003, student activism resurfaced in 2015 when Students Against Social Injustice pressured university officials to remove the Mississippi State Flag, a move that followed a campus where only 13% of students were African American in 2003. The change echoed the 2020 relocation of the Confederate monument and statewide flag-change efforts.

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Boone County Suspends Teacher

Boone County (Ky.) placed a teacher on leave after a classroom puzzle contained the N-word.
District officials said the puzzle, handed out on Sept. 24, was hurtful and disrespectful.
Principal Stacey Black apologized, pledged stronger safeguards, and arranged counselors for affected students.
Word Search Labs removed the puzzle after developer Matt Johnson said a student likely altered it for shock value.

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