By Moira Ritter
The Charlotte Observer
ESTERO, Fla. — A Florida high school senior was allowed to repaint their senior parking spot after the school painted over their design, officials say.
The Estero High School senior decorated their parking spot Aug. 20 with a blue stripe that said “BACK THE BLUE,” according to a Facebook post. By the next day, the school had covered the design with black paint.
Seniors at the school were given the opportunity to decorate their parking spots for $15, according to a school-affiliated Instagram account. Students were told they needed to have their designs approved before they painted their spot.
“Students must stick to the original design or it will get painted over,” the school warned in its design criteria.
The student whose spot was covered did not follow the procedures before painting the spot, the school said Aug. 22 on Facebook.
The student has since been allowed to repaint the spot and the situation has been resolved, a spokesperson for the Lee County School District told McClatchy News.
The incident prompted significant pushback on social media before the student was allowed to re-do their design.
One Facebook user posted a screenshot sharing photos of the spot and details about the incident.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=6009118855782976&set=a.173309156030671
“When your senior gets to ‘paint a parking spot’ @ school, paid $15 to do it, and the school decides that ‘BACK THE BLUE’ is too controversial...and not allowed...so the school paints over it the next day. Yeah...such a disappointment & shame! What message does this send to students,” the post says.
The user who shared the screenshot added that the school’s decision was “a clear violation of freedom of speech” and called for the termination of the administrator who allowed the spot to be painted over.
“GREAT WORK EHS, disgusting, you should all be ashamed of yourselves,” another user commented on the school’s Facebook page.
Lee County School District superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier addressed the situation at an Aug. 24 school board meeting, affirming the district’s support for law enforcement.
“In no way does the Lee County School District not support its law enforcement officers. We have a great relationship with our local chiefs. We have a great relationship with our local sheriff,” Bernier said. “Law enforcement is a critical component to our students’ safety and their parents’ and teachers’ peace of mind regarding their work environment and the environment in which our young people go to school.”
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