Meanwhile, a criminologist has called for parents not to become hysterical after the man, who amassed more than 1000 child-pornography files, was sentenced to serve home detention at a house near the Mosgiel school.
Corrections deemed the address unsuitable for Conan George Brownie to serve the electronically monitored 10-month term but Judge John Macdonald imposed the sentence on Thursday regardless.
The day before, the 37-year-old had been ordered to serve the sentence at a St Kilda home but before he even got there, the resident withdrew their consent.
Other addresses also proposed by Brownie were deemed unsuitable by Corrections because of their proximity to schools, preschools and public parks.
The school principal yesterday moved to reassure parents and told the Otago Daily Times the school was concerned Brownie had been sent to serve his sentence near the school.
"We are concerned somebody with these issues has been placed in our community."
After the news broke yesterday, the principal contacted Corrections then emailed parents.
"We have discussed it with Corrections and they have given us assurances there is a high level of oversight and monitoring for this individual, including 24/7 electronic monitoring, [and] that he can't leave his property."
University of Canterbury criminology professor Greg Newbold said the most important thing would be how Brownie was managed, not where he was placed.
"My broad feeling is that people have to live somewhere. No matter where they're living, there's going to be kids around; the issue is how they're managed, not where they're living.
"And it's pretty hard to find somewhere that isn't located anywhere near where children might be, be it at a beach, a playground, a school, a creche; they're everywhere."
The fact Brownie had amassed child pornography images did not necessarily mean he was going to abuse children, Prof Newbold said.
"If it's managed properly, I don't think there'll be a risk.
"The worst thing you can do is become hysterical. The worst thing a parent can do is terrify the kids."
Prof Newbold said some children were more susceptible to being abused than others.
"A lot of that has to do with parenting. If the child is secure and confident and has a good relationship with their parents, there is a very low chance of those kids being lured by an adult sex offender.
"But if the child is insecure and doesn't have a good relationship with their parents, then the kid is vulnerable."
