USN Defends Defamation Claim From Ousted Director

A court sided with the University School of Nashville last week and against former director Amani Reed, who sued the school for $22 million dollars in January over matters related to his mid-schoolyear firing. Chancellor Anne Martin dismissed Reed’s claims of defamation and emotional distress and ordered Reed to pay the school’s attorneys’ fees. Other claims from Reed related to racial discrimination and breach of contract are still pending. 

In the summer of 2024, a former student publicly criticized the school for mishandling alleged sexual misconduct by a teacher. The student had brought extensive evidence of this misconduct, which investigators later called “consistent with grooming,” to the administration, including Reed, in spring 2024. Parents, alumni and much of the student body turned against Reed in subsequent months, criticizing his handling of the case and culminating in his firing by the board of directors days before students returned to school for the spring 2025 semester. In his lawsuit, Reed maintained that he had acted according to school policy, which was woefully underprepared to handle sexual misconduct — an oversight of the board, he claimed. A year and dozens of attorneys later, the matter continues to be litigated in Davidson County Chancery Court. 

Reed Sues University School of Nashville for $22 Million

Fired director alleges a dysfunctional board of directors left him with no plan to handle teacher's sexual misconduct

“I have total respect for the court’s ruling,” says attorney Todd McKee on behalf of Reed. “We’re currently weighing our option to appeal, and we’re confident we would prevail on appeal. We have 30 days to do that. Mr. Reed attempted to resign on Dec. 26, but that was not even considered. The only thing he has ever wanted was to resolve things amicably, so that he can move on and provide for his family and the school can move on.”

Reed’s defamation claim centers on the 78-page document produced and circulated by USN in the fall. The school hired investigators to piece together a timeline, facts and recommendations in order to help rebuild trust among distressed parents and students. The report criticized actions by Reed, as well as the USN board.

On July 23, Chancellor Martin dismissed Reed’s arguments that the report intentionally defamed and inflicted emotional distress on him and his family. The school’s actions were protected by its “right of free speech in relation to a matter of public concern,” Martin reasoned, pointing out that they relate to the health and safety of individuals beyond those directly involved in the proceedings.

In a statement, USN spokesperson Juanita Traughber tells the Scene: “University School of Nashville appreciates the court's thorough and thoughtful ruling which (1) dismissed several of the claims asserted by former Director Amani Reed; (2) dismissed all of the claims asserted by his wife, Julie Reed, and (3) awarded USN its attorneys’ fees incurred in seeking dismissal. Because litigation is ongoing, we do not have further comment at this time.” 

A filing expected later this week will detail the exact amount of related attorneys’ fees assessed to Reed.