YOUR TURN: Should a Pornographic Past Bar You From Teaching?

Update: Fox 25, parents and journalists from around the world . 

The head of the 's English department has been placed on administrative leave this week, after Fox 25 News reported he had performed in pornographic films as recently as last year. 

Kevin Hogan was reportedly hired to teach and chair the department last August, after receiving what one school official told Fox 25 were “flawless” recommendations from past employers. 

Hogan told the Fox reporter who confronted him outside of the school that he didn't "know what (he) was talking about." 

School officials told parents they would investigate the claims.

School releases statement

“Recently, a local news outlet contacted the school asserting that one of our employees was unsuitable because of the nature of this person's previous employment,” a statement emailed to parents by School Business Manager Rick Veilleux read.

“When we hire employees for the school, in any capacity, we seek comprehensive information about their past employment activities and fitness for the position. In this particular case what the media outlet has claimed, if true, was not reported by the employee in the application process.

"The employee in question came to us through a recruiting relationship with Carney, Sandoe & Associates, which is the largest school recruitment firm in the country. Supplemental to the screening process conducted by Carney, Sandoe & Associates, the school followed its normal hiring practices, which included CORI checks in both California and Massachusetts.

“Additionally, the references the school received for this employee were superlative.”

Veilleux concluded by saying the school insists “any applicant for a position here be candid and forthright about disclosing past employment positions.”

He added the school's knowledge of the allegations “result(ed) exclusively from what we learned from (Fox 25), and not from any complaint by any parent or child.”

The Fox report, however, does not reveal how it came to confirm Hogan's identity or learn of his alleged background. According to the report, Hogan performed under a stage name. 

Former and current students respond

Facebook comments and tweets seemed to offer mostly support for the teacher. 

“He's the best teacher to come to Mystic Valley,” senior Alexa Romancewicz wrote.

“I go to this school and we all love this guy,” Hari Perišić wrote. “He is an outstanding teacher, leader and coach.” The comment had nine "likes."

"Disappointed in the mystic valley board for not sticking up for Mr. Hogan," @JoannaPetras tweeted. 

A few disagreed.

“If that guy was teaching your kid, you'd have a different opinion,” Keith MacDonald wrote on Facebook. 

Your Turn:

Do you or your child attend Mystic Valley? What do you think - was this report an invasion into Hogan's personal life, or do we hold teachers to a different standard - even for behavior commited off-the-job or prior to their hiring?