Kansas City, Mo ? An elementary school teacher and principal have been suspended pending an investigation into allegations that some third-graders were strip searched over $5 in missing lunch money.

Kansas City school district officials have promised the “most severe disciplinary consequences” for any teachers and staff involved if the investigation confirms the report that Pitcher Elementary School students were made to drop their pants during the search. The school district said it expected the investigation to be completed within the next several days.

Supt. Bernard Taylor sent letters home to some parents on Tuesday, saying that investigators may ask to talk to their children to get eyewitness accounts of a “disturbing report that students … may have been subjected to an improper search of their persons.” District officials also have been available to respond to parent concerns, the district said in a media release.

The reports indicate that a male adult searched boys in a class, while girls searched other girls, district spokesman Edwin Birch confirmed.

“I feel like my child was violated. I think there’s no way something like this should have happened,” said parent Andrea Randolph.

The incident is grounds for someone’s dismissal, Randolph said.

“To have the kids remove their clothes and to check each other’s underwear, that is appalling,” she said. “It’s way past an apology because I feel like my child was violated. I’m upset.”

According to district policy, students and their property may be searched when there is reasonable cause for suspicion. But searches must take place in front of adult witnesses and never in front of other students.

Students may be asked to empty pockets and remove jackets, shoes or other exterior clothing, but the policy states that they shall not be required to undress.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has no policy on strip searches and instead allows local school boards to set their own policies, said Kris Morrow, an attorney for the department.

“If a district is even thinking of doing a strip search, we tell them to be sure and contact their school district attorney,” Morrow said. “Because of the invasive nature of the search, strip searches can be a litigation minefield.”