An exchange teacher in the Windham School Department has been removed from teaching following allegations of inappropriately touching a student on a school bus, although no charges have been filed.

Windham School Superintendent Sandy Prince said a teacher from the American Field Service Intercultural Programs, an international service that organizes student and teacher exchanges with different countries, was removed from teaching at the end of March following an allegation of inappropiate contact with a student.

“It was dealt with quickly,” said Prince. He said Donna Stephen, the principal of Windham Primary School, handled the situation well and it is now being examined by the police.

“There is a case under investigation,” said Windham Police Chief Rick Lewsen. “The man is no longer working here in the Windham school system.”

Lewsen said he could not disclose details of an active investigation, but said that the parent of a Windham Primary School student has alleged that an adult male of improperly touched a student while on the school bus. He said the adult was not the bus driver.

Lewsen said the teacher has not left the state, but would not say where he is. He said the police can get ahold of him quickly if they need to.

Wes Eberle, a spokesman for AFS Intercultural Programs, said the teacher is cooperating fully with local authorities.

“We have a robust screening process,” said Eberle, which includes interviews, English-fluency evaluations, an extensive written application and written tests, but there is no background check.

Eberle said different countries may not have the same background information available as in the United States, but all of its exchange teachers are practicing teachers in their home countries.

He said AFS Intercultural Programs performs extensive background checks on its American volunteers.

The AFS Intercultural Programs started as World War II ambulance service that turned into a student exchange program. In 1976 it began a teacher exchange program as well.

Windham has been receiving AFS Intercultural Programs teachers for the last six years, although no Windham teachers travel to other countries through the program. The program currently has six other exchange teachers in Maine, including the Gorham school department and School Administrative District 61.