By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Former high school principal Clem Ukaoma is calling for a public hearing to detail the reasons why the Riverview Gardens school board refused to renew his contract.
The decision sparked a wave of student protests last month.
Ukaoma says he's improved graduation rates, and has been recognized by a state review team for his efforts.
"It feels like a slap in the face after almost two years of working hard on the
problems of that school; bringing the staff along, bringing the parents along,
bringing the students along," Ukaoma said.
District spokeswoman Bridgett Willis says there had been ongoing communication between Ukaoma and the board about his performance, and that he should not have been surprised.
"It really is a sad event, and the district is really perplexed at the choice that Mr. Ukaoma has made to put this into the legal realm regarding his concerns with his non-renewal," Willis said.
Ukaoma has retained St. Louis attorney Chet Pleban in his fight with the board over its decision not to renew his contract.