ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County School Board has filed a lawsuit seeking court orders to stop a local parent from bullying and harassing school employees, including a teacher and principal at Switzerland Point Middle School (SPMS).
The lawsuit names Matthew Ross, a St. Johns County resident whose son and stepdaughter attended SPMS during the 2024-2025 school year. The board alleges Ross has engaged in systematic and chronic bullying and harassment of staff members, including math teacher James Stoner, Principal Linda Carnall, and Assistant Principal Alexandra Pillay.
The dispute began in November 2024, when a racial slur was found written on a classroom whiteboard during a 7th-grade math class taught by Stoner. A student claimed Ross’s son was responsible. The school investigated but found insufficient evidence to discipline the student. Ross requested that his son be transferred out of Stoner’s class, which the school granted.
In December, Ross filed a bullying and harassment complaint against Stoner over his handling of the incident. The school investigated and found the complaint unsubstantiated. Ross said he was dissatisfied with the outcome, stating, “They never responded to it, and just dismissed me throughout the process, and ultimately told me they’re saddened, I’m still angry, that was their resolution.”
According to the lawsuit, starting in April 2025, Ross began publicly harassing the school employees through a website he created called FireJamesStoner.com, social media posts, emails, and in-person demonstrations near the school. He posted over 70 videos on Facebook and TikTok maligning the staff.
Full lawsuit by St. Johns County School Board can be read below
The website features derogatory images and language targeting the school employees, calling for their removal and arrest. Ross carried signs during daily sidewalk demonstrations near SPMS during school dismissal times, shouting profanities and accusations at staff. He posted videos of these demonstrations online, addressing students and parents directly.
Ross maintains that his actions are protected by the First Amendment. He said, “What else am I going to do, other than stand out on street corners and in front of schools letting people know what’s going on? So I’m exercising my rights and I’m expressing myself in the only way I am. I feel like I’m effective, if you will.”
Matthew Ross’ response to SJC School Board lawsuit can be read below
The school board cites its Rule 3.21 and Florida Statute 1006.147, which prohibit bullying and harassment of public school employees. The rule defines bullying broadly to include repeated, unwanted behavior that causes psychological distress, intimidation, or humiliation, including cyberbullying and harassment.
The board’s investigation found Ross’ actions caused substantial emotional distress to the staff, disrupted the school’s orderly operation, and created a hostile educational environment. Staff reported anxiety, fear for their safety, loss of sleep, and difficulty performing their duties. Stoner was placed on leave for his protection.
The lawsuit details Ross’ conduct as threatening, intimidating, and dehumanizing, including the use of profane and sexualized language in videos, emails, and on his website. The board says his behavior placed staff in reasonable fear of harm and disrupted the school environment.
Ross’ attorney, Eric Friday, declined to answer why Ross continues his actions despite his son’s removal from Stoner’s class, saying, “We’re gonna, I’m gonna hold that question. We’re gonna that will come through the lawsuit in our responses.”
When approached during a school board meeting, Christina Upchurch, the Executive Director for Community Relations, declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation.
The school board requests the court to issue injunctions preventing Ross from continuing his harassment, ordering him to remove online content, prohibiting him from coming within 250 feet of the targeted staff and SPMS, and requiring him to coordinate communications about his son through the school district.
The board argues that monetary damages cannot undo the harm caused and that injunctive relief is necessary to protect employees and maintain a safe school environment.