High School Teacher Put On Leave After Officials See Him In Racy Video With Former Students

RANCHO CUCAMONGA (CBSLa.com) — A local teacher was put on leave when school officials learned he appeared in a racy video.

There was no nudity in the video, but the Etiwanda High School drama teacher appeared in several scenes officials found questionable.

Christian Kiley spoke to CBS2's Tom Wait on Wednesday to tell his side of the story.

Kiley said his right to free expression and artistic license is under attack.

He also told Wait he would fight to get his job back.

"I'm mystified and perplexed by the way this has gone down," Kiley said. "And the fact I've been out of work for five weeks."

Kiley knows his teaching career is on the brink.

He appeared in a web episode of a show called "Skidz," produced and acted in by some former students.

"I think the example I'm trying to set for my students is to avoid artistic complacency and get out and do things," Kiley said.

Kiley was put on administrative leave when officials were sent a link to the episode.

In the episode, Kiley plays a homeless man who asks for various drugs. The script also contained graphic sexual content.

"I understand the need to have precautionary measures," said Kiley, "and the need to protect children but in this instance, and because it's former students and because it's in within my right to freedom of artistic expression, I feel like it shouldn't be an issue."

Kiley's attorney William Trejo doesn't understand what all the fuss is about.

"If he had done the same thing in a popular TV series, like 'Breaking Bad,' would they be attempting to terminate him as they are doing so today?" Trejo said.

The superintendent of schools declined to discuss the video with Wait calling it "a personnel matter." He also would not say whether Kiley would be reinstated.

"I don't think we can ever regret caring about something that we are deeply passionate about and love," Kiley said.

Wait spoke to several students who said their attorneys advised them to take the video off the web.

The video was on a YouTube channel that is adult-protected.