News Summary
A lawsuit filed by Naarah Bryant, a former assistant principal at Airport High School, has been dismissed. The suit challenged her termination after a student search incident. Bryant was fired following a search that allegedly violated school policy and involved a strip search. The court dismissed her claims of unlawful termination, and Bryant’s attorney is considering an appeal. This case has brought attention to student search protocols and the responsibilities of educators in handling such situations.
Lexington, SC — A lawsuit filed by former Airport High School assistant principal Naarah Bryant has been dismissed following a controversial incident involving the search of a student. The suit, which challenged the legality of her termination from the Lexington 2 school district, was dismissed by a judge on May 12, 2025.
Bryant was employed as an assistant principal during the 2021-22 school year but was fired in April 2022 after conducting a search of a female student on January 25, 2022. The incident arose when Bryant suspected the student possessed a vape pen. The school district alleged that the search violated its policy by resulting in a strip search of the student.
According to reports, during the search, the student revealed she was wearing only a sports bra beneath her jacket, which Bryant contended she didn’t realize at the time. The male school resource officer (SRO) entered the office just as the student unzipped her jacket, and four vape pens—three containing tobacco and one containing marijuana—were found during the search. The student faced recommendations for expulsion following this incident.
The situation escalated when the student sent an email to the school district the day after the search, alleging that both Bryant and the SRO disrespected her by using derogatory language. Subsequent to the search, Bryant was placed on paid administrative leave, leading to a review by the school district’s board of trustees. Bryant appealed her termination, but the board upheld the decision.
In February 2025, Bryant filed her lawsuit against the Lexington 2 school district, arguing that her termination breached her employment contract. The suit sought compensation for lost income and damages related to her reputation. Following the lawsuit’s dismissal, Bryant’s attorney indicated they are weighing options, potentially including an appeal.
As the school district refrained from making further comments beyond expressing deference to the court’s recent ruling, the future remains uncertain for both Bryant and the district in light of this incident.
This case highlights ongoing discussions regarding student searches in schools, particularly concerning the protocols and ethical considerations involved in such searches. When it comes to the treatment of students and the responsibilities of school administrators, this situation continues to spark debate among educators, parents, and school officials.
The high-profile nature of the incident has not only drawn attention to the actions taken by school staff but has also raised broader issues about student rights and the standards of conduct expected from educators. As Bryant and her legal team consider their next steps, the implications of this case may resonate throughout the Lexington 2 school district and beyond.
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Additional Resources
- The State: Lawsuit Dismissed for Airport High School Assistant Principal
- Wikipedia: Student Rights in the United States
- SW Lex Ledger: Principal of the Year Named
- Google Search: School Search Policies
- The State: High School Sports Event Article
- Google Scholar: School Search Ethics
- Monroe News: New Assistant Principal Named
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Administration
- WLTX: Former Assistant Principal Pleads Guilty
- Google News: Airport High School Incident
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
