Grosse Ile Township Schools has suspended a teacher and banned him from school property and events, and from contact with anyone affiliated with the district, after he was allegedly "seen involved in lewd behavior" in his vehicle, the district announced Wednesday in a letter.

The lewd behavior alleged is indecent exposure, the Grosse Ile Police Department said in a statement. Police got word of the allegation on Friday, two days after the reported incident.

"The alleged incident occurred near the Grosse Ile Youth Recreation sports field and did not involve any children," the police statement said. Police "immediately notified" the district.

Superintendent Joanne Lelekatch wrote in the letter that "if substantiated, this behavior is inappropriate," but that the district was asked to put its own investigation into the matter on hold as police investigate.

"Given the seriousness" of the behavior alleged, the teacher was placed on leave, Lelekatch wrote.

The incident allegedly took place off district property, where Grosse Ile Youth Recreation Association teams were practicing, according to the letter. A representative of the association did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"He is not allowed to be on school district property, or to attend school district events, both home and away," a portion of the school district's letter reads. "He is also not permitted to have contact with any students, parents or stakeholders of the school district."

About 1,800 students are enrolled in Grosse Ile schools, according to MI School Data.

jdickson@detroitnews.com