$10M defamation lawsuit filed against Kellam High School principal over 'racist harassment' incident

Yahoo

11-06-2025

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – The families of three Kellam High School students are suing the school's principal, Ryan Schubart, alleging he 'published materially false and defamatory statements in an email addressed to the entire student body on or about March 13, 2025.'
Schubart's email claimed that the students engaged in 'racist harassment' and that 'the students involved will be disciplined to the fullest extent possible.' But the civil complaint says that the plaintiffs were part of a 'close friend group' that included the student alleged to have been the victim of racist harassment.
The incident took place on March 12, the birthday of the alleged victim. According to the lawsuit, before the start of school, the plaintiffs 'presented the gift recipient with a gift intended as a joke consisting of handwritten notes on a birthday card, a bag of fried chicken, and various candy, which was received in the same spirit as a friendly gift by the recipient.'
The lawsuit also claims that security camera footage of the incident shows 'the plaintiffs, the gift recipient, and other students laughing, hugging, and engaging in friendly behavior,' and that the entire encounter lasted '2-3 minutes.'
The three plaintiffs, who are remaining anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the allegations, were subsequently removed from the school, and according to the lawsuit, 'have been threatened and property damage has occurred.'
10 On Your Side's Cheyenne Pagan is interviewing attorney Tim Anderson, who is representing the three students, and will provide updates as they are made available.
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