A Lake Forest High School mathematics teacher pleaded not guilty Monday to two counts of battery involving a student, officials said.
Albert Macius, 64, of Inverness, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of battery involving physical contact, according to the Lake County state’s attorney’s office.
“He rubbed her leg in a suggestive manner without her consent and kissed her on the neck without her permission,” said Michael Ori, chief of traffic, misdemeanor and felony traffic at the state’s attorney’s office.
A student reported this May that a mathematics teacher had come to her home and “made inappropriate physical contact” with her, according to a press release sent out by Lake Forest School District 67/115 on Monday.
Macius was charged after an investigation by the Lake Bluff Police Department from May 12 through July 9, according to Deputy Chief Mike Hosking.
Macius has an initial pretrial date scheduled for Sept. 17 in Lake County Circuit Court. He could not immediately be reached for comment.
In the press release from the high school, officials said Macius was immediately placed on administrative leave prior to the investigation, and that he “remains on leave, was and is not allowed on school grounds, and has been directed to have no contact with district students or staff.”
Officials said that as soon as the district received the information, administrators alerted the Department of Child and Family Services and the Lake Bluff Police Department of the allegations.
Also, district officials said that in accordance with Board of Education policy, an independent investigator with criminal law experience is gathering and reviewing “all relevant available information related to this matter,” and that the review is still in process.
“We would like to underscore that the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority,” the district said in the release. “As always, our social workers and counselors are available if you feel your child needs support.”
For students who want to access those services, the district encourages families to contact Deputy Superintendent Allen Albus at [email protected] or 847-604-7404.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is directed to the Lake Bluff Police Department at 847-234-2153.
Mark Lawton contributed.
Twitter @jimnewton5
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