Police: Buffalo Grove High teacher sent inappropriate texts to student

A Buffalo Grove High School teacher accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a 16-year-old student has been charged with disorderly conduct, police said Friday.

According to a letter sent to district parents by Principal Jeff Wardle Friday afternoon, the teacher - Panagiotis Georgitsiso, according to Buffalo Grove police - resigned last week when the investigation started.

According to a police news release, Georgitsiso's former colleagues discovered "the behavior leading to the charges" and then contacted police. Upon investigation, officers found "inappropriate electronic messaging" between the 40-year-old man and the 16-year-old student, the release said.

Jennifer Delgado, Northwest Suburban High School District 214 spokeswoman, said the district placed the teacher on leave immediately and severed all relationship with him within 24 hours of becoming aware of the situation. Delgado said Georgitsiso had taught at the school for 12 years.

In the letter to parents, Wardle encourages them to remind their children that if they see or hear something that makes them feel uncomfortable, they should share this information with a trusted adult.

Any student who needs additional support can contact Wardle at jeff.wardle@d214.org.