Sage Hill School faces lawsuit

Andrew Edwards

A Costa Mesa family has filed a lawsuit against Sage Hill School,

alleging that school officials defamed the family after a parent

questioned school policy.

The complaint was filed Feb. 4 in Orange County Superior Court in

Santa Ana. Charles and Leslie Miller, who live in Costa Mesa, are

seeking unspecified damages for alleged defamation, invasion of

privacy and infliction of emotional distress.

In addition to the school, Sage Hill headmaster Clinton Wilkins,

assistant headmaster Peter Saliba and school trustees Karina Hamilton

and Vicki Ueberroth Booth are named in the suit.

The Millers contend that Kendra, who now attends Corona del Mar

High School, was informed in March that she would not be able to

attend Sage Hill, a private school in Newport Coast, and that no

reason was given. The suit characterized the school’s decision as an

attempt by school officials to “blackball” her parents, especially

Leslie Miller.

The defendants denied all claims contained in the lawsuit and

issued a statement asserting that the filing had no merit. And

Hamilton said Sage Hill will fight the lawsuit if the case goes to

court.

“We really are going to defend it vigorously,” she said.

Hamilton said she could not comment on specifics of the case.

The Millers declined to be interviewed and referred questions to

their attorney, Andrea Tytell, who alleged in the complaint that the

defendants made disparaging remarks about Leslie Miller, which

included claims that she had damaged the school’s reputation.

“They defamed Leslie to such an extent to make her social pariah,”

Tytell said.

Tytell said the alleged defamation occurred at school functions,

such as luncheons and parents association meetings. She characterized

Leslie Miller as “someone who got too close to the truth,” adding

that Leslie Miller had questions about Sage Hill’s administration of

its arts programs and parents association.

Tytell said her theory of the case and why Kendra wasn’t granted

admission is that the school was retaliating for Leslie Miller’s

questions -- though Tytell wouldn’t specify what problems Leslie

Miller may have had with Sage Hill policies, nor did she provide any

evidence of improprieties that Leslie Miller may have witnessed.

The complaint references the deed to headmaster Wilkins’ home that

shows he received a $150,000 loan from the school, which he used to

buy his house.

Tom Dresslar, a spokesman for the California Attorney General’s

office, said state law allows a private school to loan an employee

money to help with a mortgage.