The St. Bernard-Elmwood Place City Schools board will decide today whether one of its school principals keeps his job.

        John Estep, principal of the Educational Advancement Center, the district's alternative school, has been criticized by some staff and community members for his discipline and supervision of students, said Board President Linda Radtke of St. Bernard.

        She confirmed that the board has received correspondence from staff and community members, but declined Sunday to discuss details about Mr. Estep's per formance.

        Superintendent James Thomas is asking the board not to renew Mr. Estep's contract and will identify specific reasons for his recommendation at tonight's meeting, Ms. Radtke said.

        She said the board will make its decision based on facts offered by the superintendent and Mr. Estep's performance evaluations.

        Last Monday, more than 200 people attended a special four-hour board meeting on Mr. Estep's performance. The meeting was opened to the public for comment after the board's three-hour closed-door session.

        “There were people who presented their feelings on both sides of the issue,” Mr. Thomas said. “I thought the meeting went as well as could be expected with emotions running high on both sides.“

        Mr. Estep said he thought the crowd was mostly supportive, and was especially moved when students spoke on his behalf.

        “It's something I dedicate my life to is helping students,” Mr. Estep said. “I made this change years ago when I left Procter & Gamble and entered the field of education to coach, be a counselor, be an administrator and do whatever I could to help any child I came in contact with.

        “I did it for 17 years in Princeton. I'm in my second year here at St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, and I plan to continue.”

        Mr. Estep was a St. Bernard-Elmwood Place school board member while employed by the Princeton City Schools. w He was on the board 15 months before resigning for personal reasons in April 1999. He became principal of Elmwood Place Elementary that fall and moved to his current position last year.

        • The board will begin the public portion of its meeting at 6:30 p.m. today in St. Bernard-Elmwood Place High School auditorium, 4615 Tower Ave., St. Bernard, followed by a closed-door session to discuss Mr. Estep.

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