Jim Walters will not return to Point Elementary School as principal, according to an email sent to parents Saturday evening by Mehlville Superintendent Eric Knost.

“… Regretfully, I am writing to inform you that Dr. Walters will not be returning as the principal for Point Elementary School,” Knost’s email stated. “The district will immediately begin work to secure an excellent principal for Point’s future. I realize many of you may have questions regarding the reasons Dr. Walters will not be returning to his principal duties; however, please know it is inappropriate for the district to disclose or discuss such personnel matters relating to employees.”

Walters’ trial on charges of lewd and indecent conduct is scheduled for July 26 in St. Louis Municipal Court. Walters’ attorney, Neil Bruntrager, told the Call last week Walters’ plea remains not guilty.

“We adamantly deny any wrongdoing of any sort,” Bruntrager said May 8, “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 he received a continuance to May 8, when the trial date was set.

He has not returned to Point since the district resumed classes after spring break. Knost chose retired Principal Jim Schibig to substitute for Walters while the district investigated the allegations against Walters.

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.”

In Saturday’s email, Knost wrote that after the district was notified about the allegations involving Walters, “… the district promptly began an investigation and stated the principal would not return to Point Elementary unless and until we determined to do so was appropriate and safe for students …”

Saturday’s email also stated, “… As always, students are our top priority in the Mehlville School District. We will continue to follow all necessary and desirable procedures in order to ensure the best and most appropriate environment for all district students.”

Walters had served as the Point Elementary School principal since July 1, 2007. During a March 15 closed session, the Board of Education voted to re-employ Walters, along with other elementary principals, for the 2012-2013 school year.

No board votes have been taken in regard to Walters’ employment, according Knost, and Walters “technically” remains on paid administrative leave.