The Advocate of Stamford/Norwalk reported today that in the months before former Westport Bedford Middle School teacher Paul Held was suspended from teaching three years ago, a paper trail detailed concerns about large number of photographs he took of students.
In a copyrighted front page story, the newspaper said it had obtained school district records about Held dating back to 1996. Held, who retired after being suspended from Bedford in March 2002, was arrested Aug. 2 after investigators said they found thousands of pornographic images of children in his home.
The report said the records “document concerns raised by students and parents about Held and the actions taken by the district.” It said Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon would not comment but authorized attorney Tom Mooney to answer questions.
The Advocate quoted Mooney as saying that the Westport Public Schools took complaints from students and parents about Held seriously. “The district investigated the complaints and took ‘appropriate disciplinary action,’ Mooney said,” the newspaper reported.
“There was never any suggestion that Mr. Held was engaged in conduct similar to that for which he was arrested last month,” Mooney said, according to the newspaper. It said Held’s attorney, William Westcott of Norwalk, refused to comment for its story.
Instances of Held photographing students similar to the ones cited by the newspaper were reported by anonymous WestportNow readers in comments on a story about his arrrest last month. (See WestportNow Aug. 5. 2005).
I am amazed that it took this long to catch this creep! I have heard of so many stories where students reported him and his behavior as inappropriate. Just b/c he is a teacher does not make him special. He has a higher standard to report to when working ever so closely with children. How could so many claims of his behavior go unnoticed? What a freak!
Somebody needs to be held accountable for letting this get to the level it has been reported!
he was my art teacher in middle school. everyone always knew he was a creep, im surprised it took so long to catch him. somebody needs to be held responsible for not doing something about this earlier
This man’s behavior was noticed and there were many attempts to deal with him. Many people found him difficult to work with him successfully. Once the ‘redhead project’ became known, he was told (ordered) to stop, but obviously he managed to continue ‘under the radar.’
Being a ‘creep’ did not make him a potential pornographer. I do not think anyone ever suspected that he was involved with pornography.
No matter what, the system failed us.
This piece of human waste was problematic back to the 80’s He purchased films and pictures from students for his own use and stole art from others and sold it at art shows for finincial gain Every one knew it.
The guy is a crook, a perv and jail at this point is too good for him!
Why does Landon still have a job? He is pompous, arrogant and ineffective as a leader. I’d love to know what “appropriate action” was taken when repeated complaints about this pedophile were received. My guess—none.
I subbed for this teacher a number of times.It was very clear something was very wrong with his relationship with female students.I did as subs were instucted to do, inform an administrator. It is quite clear little was done as he was in the classroom for another 3 years.
Whatwas done if this guy continued to teach?