While serving a six-month jail sentence for having sex with a 15-year-old student, a Vincent Massey high school teacher paid a $104 fee May 3 to renew his membership in the Ontario College of Teachers.

Five months after pleading guilty to one count of sexual exploitation, Thomas Powers, 50, remains in "good standing" with the college that regulates the teaching profession. Also, the college updated Powers' skills in April to reflect his completion of English as a Second Language training, which he received sometime in the previous six months and after his Aug. 13 arrest.

The music and media arts teacher pleaded guilty March 24 to having a three-month sexual relationship with a student last summer. The pair were caught when a janitor saw the two exit separately from a music room after having sex.

"I was seeking a year, the judge sentenced him to six months," said Gary Nikota, the assistant crown attorney who prosecuted Powers. "I can assume the College of Teachers will properly do its job. One would expect he never teaches again."

Powers, now a convicted sex offender, was probably released from jail in late May as he was eligible for parole after serving a third of his sentence. Jail administrators could not be reached Tuesday to confirm his release.

The Ontario College of Teachers wouldn't confirm whether it was investigating Powers. But the Greater Essex County District School Board did notify the college of Powers' arrest last summer. The public school board suspended Powers in August and then fired him in January after an internal investigation.

Normally the college does its own investigation and refers the matter to an investigation committee, which then decides whether a discipline hearing is necessary, said Philip Carter, manager of communications.

The process should take less than a year, Carter said. As of Tuesday, a hearing to revoke Powers' credentials had not been recommended.

"The college has the power to impose an interim suspension if we believe a teacher is a risk to children," said Carter, who would not confirm whether the college was investigating Powers. When a teacher is convicted of a criminal offence, it's not automatic that teaching credentials are suspended. They have a right to due process, Carter said.

The Ministry of Education doesn't regulate the Ontario College of Teachers, which is a self-regulating entity. But Powers won't get another teaching job in Ontario, said Valerie Pouline, spokeswoman.

"All school boards require applicants to submit a criminal background check," Pouline said. "Because of his conviction, this would appear."

Private schools don't have to hire accredited teachers vetted through the college.

"I agree that if someone is convicted and still listed in good standing, it's odd," said Annie Kidder, executive director of People for Education, a parent advocacy group. "I don't quite understand. I think it's vital the college move quickly to assure parents that we can send our children to school and be assured that the teachers are not only competent, but not going to harm children in any way."

Powers and his lawyer Andrew Bradie could not be reached for comment.

Shortly after Powers was charged a year ago, he moved to Egypt on a one-year leave of absence from the public school board.

He taught English as a Second Language in the Egyptian capital Cairo until his return to Windsor for his court appearance in March.