Colorado High School Faces Legal Challenge Over Religious Parking Space Denial

A senior at Rampart High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has raised a legal challenge against her school, claiming a violation of her First Amendment rights. Sophia Shumaker, with assistance from the First Liberty Institute, alleges that her request to display a Christian message on her personalized parking space was denied, constituting viewpoint discrimination.

The legal complaint, filed against the school and Academy School District 20, argues that the school’s actions infringe upon Shumaker’s rights to free speech and the free exercise of religion. The complaint highlights that the school permits students to decorate their parking spaces yet imposes restrictions that exclude religious content.

According to the complaint, Shumaker’s original design included a shepherd, staff, a sheep, and a Bible verse. This design was rejected by a teacher overseeing the parking lot initiative, who cited the school policy that prohibits religious messages. In an attempt to comply, Shumaker modified her design to feature the verse ‘1 Cor 13:4,’ which she contended was non-religious. However, the teacher reportedly discouraged her from submitting this version, expressing uncertainty about its approval.

The First Liberty Institute argues that the school’s denial exemplifies viewpoint discrimination, as the school has established a public forum for student expression through its senior parking space program. The complaint points out that other schools within Academy School District 20 allow religious messages, suggesting inconsistency in enforcement. This inconsistency reinforces the argument that Shumaker’s expression constitutes private speech rather than government-sponsored speech.

The First Liberty Institute contends that the protections of the First Amendment extend to students, emphasizing their right to practice their religion freely. The organization has called on the school district to reverse the denial of Shumaker’s religious expression and to amend what they describe as an unconstitutional policy.

In response to requests for comment, the school district acknowledged receipt of the attorney’s letter and confirmed that it is currently reviewing the information provided. They noted that the senior parking spot program operates under a set of content guidelines and a staff approval process. Furthermore, they stated that they had not been contacted by Shumaker’s family or received the attorney’s letter before October 22, 2023.

This case underscores the ongoing tension between educational institutions’ efforts to maintain a neutral environment and the rights of students to express their religious beliefs. The outcome may hinge on whether the school’s restrictions are viewed as viewpoint-based and, if so, whether they are justified under the First Amendment, considering the nature of the parking space program as a platform for student expression.