School officials in Norfolk, Va., say a fourth-grade teacher showed bad judgment in having white students auction off black students as part of a lesson on the Civil War, WVEC reports.

"Although her actions were well-intended to meet the instructional objectives, the activity presented was inappropriate for the students," Principal Mary Wrushen wrote in a letter last week to parents with children at Sewells Point.

According to WVEC, school officials say teacher Jessica Boyle separated black and mixed-race students from their white peers and then put them up for "sale."

"The lesson could have been thought through more carefully, as to not offend her students or put them in an uncomfortable situation," Wrushen said in her letter.

A spokesman for Norfolk schools says Boyle, who has been at Norfolk schools since 2005, failed to follow rules for presenting lesson plans to the principal for review.

The Virginian-Pilot quotes Wrushen as saying, without elaboration, that "appropriate personnel action" is being taken.