A West High School security officer terminated for using the n-word in front of a student says he was telling the student not to call him that word after an altercation.

Marlon Anderson, who has worked in the district for 11 years but was in his third year at West, is working with the union to fight his dismissal, he said Thursday morning.

West principal Karen Boran announced the incident and dismissal in a Wednesday afternoon email to parents, but did not offer specifics of the incident.

“As you know, our expectation when it comes to racial slurs has been very clear. Regardless of context or circumstance, racial slurs are not acceptable in our schools,” Boran said. “It is a standard we will continue to hold for professional conduct, that has been applied consistently and will continue to be applied consistently.”

Boran added, “We have investigated the incident, and the staff member will not return to West.”

Anderson, who is black, wrote in a Facebook post that a student had called him a “b**** a** n****,” and Anderson responded, “don’t call me a n****.” His post received nearly 400 shares and more than 250 comments, all in support of his ability to connect with students.