James Franco’s high school removes his art after sexual misconduct allegations

In this Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018 photo provided by Sophia Muys, students pass under one of James Franco’s paintings displayed above a stairwell in the Media Arts Center at Palo Alto High School in Palo Alto, Calif. Actor and director Franco is a 1996 graduate of the school. Franco’s former high school has taken down a mural he painted and plans to remove other art donated by the celebrity alumnus who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct in Hollywood. A statement from the school district Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, said removing the artwork was “in the best interests of our students.” (Sophia Muys/Paly Voice via AP)

SAN FRANCISCO —James Franco’s former high school has taken down a mural he painted and plans to remove other art donated by the celebrity alumnus, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct in Hollywood.

Supt. Karen Hendricks said in a statement on Thursday that removing the artwork was “in the best interests of our students.”

Her statement did not mention the scandal surrounding Franco, which the school’s newspaper reported was the reason the artwork was removed.

Franco was a 1996 graduate of Palo Alto High School and his artwork has been featured prominently there.

Five women accused Franco of sexual misconduct last month.

The actor-director responded to the allegations on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” saying if he’s done something wrong he will fix it. /kga