Investigation Over Racial Banner at Massac School

In what's being described as a "highly inappropropriate racial remark," officials with the Massac County School District in Metropolis are conducting an investigation over a banner that was displayed at the entrance to the district's high school.

School Superintendent Dennis Smith released a statment late Wednesday morning, indicating that the incident happened on Wednesday morning in what's being described as an "unsanctioned senior prank day."  

Smith went on to say some students apparently hung a banner with the apparent racial remarks at the entrance to the high school with a message being described as "highly inappropriate," but did not disclose the words used.  A photo submitted to West Kentucky Star clearly identifies an "N" word (West Kentucky Star has blurred the offensive word in the photo) that is widely considered racially offensive.

Smith says the message in no way is representative of the senior class, or the Unit 1 schools. He says the Board of Education and Administration are grieved over the incident, and an investigation has been launched.