Point Elementary School Principal Jim Walters’ trial on charges of lewd and indecent conduct is scheduled for July 26.

Walters’ attorney, Neil Bruntrager, told the Call Tuesday he would prefer the trial in St. Louis Municipal Court to be sooner, but that was the date assigned.

Bruntrager also said Walters’ plea remains not guilty.

“We adamantly deny any wrongdoing of any sort,” Bruntrager said, “and again, in terms of the specifics (of evidence either for or against Walters), we haven’t seen it all, but let’s leave it at we adamantly deny any wrongdoing of any sort.”

Walters was issued a citation by park security at about 3 p.m. March 16 near Concourse and McKinley in Forest Park for allegedly grabbing his genitals “while talking to a person in his vehicle, who later confessed to what was happening,” the citation states.

Walters’ first court appearance was scheduled for April 24 and received a continuance to today — May 8.

Walters has not returned to Point Elementary School since the district resumed classes after spring break. Superintendent Eric Knost chose retired Principal Jim Schibig to substitute for Walters while the district investigates the allegations against Walters.

Knost responded to a request for comment by email, stating he is “not at liberty to discuss anything relating to the matter because it is a personnel issue,” but that Schibig will continue as Point’s substitute principal “until otherwise determined.”

District officials were notified March 19 of the allegations against Walters. Knost sent a letter to parents March 20, which stated “… The principal will not return to Point Elementary unless and until the district determines that to do so is appropriate and safe for all students.”

The letter also stated, “… Our current understanding is that the principal was not charged with a crime and disputes some, if not all, of the allegations. Nevertheless, the district is, and will be, thoroughly investigating these allegations.”

Walters, who is currently on paid administrative leave, has served as the Point Elementary School principal since July 1, 2007.

Before coming to the Mehlville School District, he served as principal of Bayless Intermediate School in the Bayless School District for three years.