EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. -- A teacher in the Excelsior Springs School District was under investigation after being accused of having inappropriate communication with a student, the superintendent said on Friday.

The allegation was made about three weeks ago, Jim Horton said.

He couldn't reveal the teacher's name or say where the teacher worked or how long the teacher had worked for the district.

"We don't want to get the student's name out there," Horton said. "We hesitate to get the teacher's name, at least from our end, out there because once their name gets out there, it's very difficult for them -- even if they're found innocent -- to get back and have a normal teaching career."

The teacher was on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Horton said it was important for the teacher's identity to be protected because three years ago, another teacher was accused of something and an investigation found the teacher innocent of wrongdoing.