By Kate Pastor

Greg Van Voorhis, a high school English teacher at The Bronx School of Finance, has a reputation for going above and beyond.

Last week he was accused of going too far.

The Department of Education is investigating a complaint triggered by a reading Mr. Voorhis assigned to his high school juniors, which is sexually explicit and describes masturbation. Pending the investigation, he was reassigned in the middle of a school day early last week, and students and some parents have been campaigning to get him back since.

Alumni and students created a “Save Mr. V” Facebook group and say they are responding not only to the investigation, but also to news reports that unfairly portray their beloved teacher as a pedophile instead of as the mentor they know.

They have started their own media campaign and 270 people, including this reporter for journalistic purposes, have joined the Facebook group as of press time. There are 450 students enrolled at the school.

According to the group’s wall, where people can post comments, students have organized a letter-writing campaign to school Chancellor Joel Klein and other city officials demanding Mr. Voorhis’ return.

It is unclear whether Mr. Voorhis has had any other complaints made against him, but he has never been suspended or removed. Department of Education spokeswoman Marge Feinberg would only say that Mr. Voorhis was reassigned following an allegation and that the Department of Ed is investigating.

“We cannot comment further without compromising the investigation,” she said.

The assigned reading in question, Guts by best-selling author Chuck Palahniuk, is a graphic coming of age tale about family secrets. Students say it was meant prepare students for the English regents exam.

Pushing limits

Provocative and unconventional, his supporters argue that Mr. Voorhis choice of literature reflects the edgy teaching methods he uses to keep students engaged and scoring high on the English Regents exam he prepares all the school’s students for.