Richwoods HS secretary on administrative leave pending investigation of video with racial slur

PEORIA – A secretary at Richwoods High School is on administrative leave after a video surfaced on social media in which a racial slur was used.

The secretary, Courtney Lewis, was seen in the video that was circulating on social media, according to Greg Wilson, who is the head of the Peoria Public Schools board.

Thomas Bruch, a PPS spokesman, declined to comment, saying it was a personnel matter and under investigation. However, he did confirm Lewis is on administrative leave. 

Lewis' union president, MaryFran Wessler, also confirmed she was on leave but also declined to comment.

The 11-second video, which was taken on a cellphone, appears to show Lewis in a home with others off camera when the slur is used. It wasn't clear from the video whether Lewis, who is white, was the one saying the word or if someone who is off camera was. Another person can be heard laughing off camera. 

Wilson said he learned of the video when it was sent to him and board members. He called the situation "unacceptable." 

"It's unacceptable to have that type of spirit or energy in that school, and it's not for the students who attend that school," he said on Tuesday.

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Wilson said people can make mistakes and that his heart went out to Lewis as well, saying that he prayed for her as well as the students who heard or saw the video.