A Des Moines Public Schools employee is out of a job after repeating a racial slur while reporting a student's use of the same word during a May 16 incident, according to district records.
The worker resigned or was terminated shortly after the report was made, and the district cited its zero-tolerance policy on using discriminatory language.
The case later went before an administrative law judge, who ruled the employee did not commit "disqualifying misconduct" and remained eligible for unemployment benefits.
Despite that finding, the district's decision stood, underscoring its strict standards for staff communication and conduct. The student involved was also disciplined, but details on that action were not immediately released.
