KELLER, Texas — At least two students at Keller High School were asked to re-paint their senior parking spaces after administrators reviewed them and saw that they had rendered a pro-Trump mural and messaging for the former president and current GOP presidential nominee.
This is the time of year when seniors within Keller ISD can cough up nearly $200 for a reserved space, which they're allowed to paint and park in for the upcoming school year.
Last week, seniors got to work, and at least two students chose to make their spaces pro-Trump. One painted a mural of Mr. Trump wearing American sunglasses and a bandanna. Another put 45/47 in their space, referring to Trump as the 45th president and predicting he would be the 47th.
The district has guidelines for spaces. "Use only appropriate words, symbols, and images," the guidelines document reads. "Spaces with inappropriate content will be painted over, confiscated, and re-sold."
The guidelines go on to read: "KHS has the right to paint over, confiscate, and re-sell spaces that include content determined to be inappropriate by the administration, including but not limited to controversial, offensive, or obscene material."
Nothing is expressly mentioned about political messaging.
The district sent WFAA the following statement and clarified that political messaging isn't allowed--saying not every scenario is covered by the guidelines:
"We can confirm that there were a few spots that had to be repainted because they included content that had the potential to cause unnecessary distractions to the learning environment. Every year, a few students will attempt to include a political message, controversial statement, or inappropriate words or images in their parking spot painting. When that occurs, campus administrators allow them to repaint their space."
A parent of one of the students who made the two spaces told WFAA that their space wasn't obscene or inappropriate but that they didn't want to be identified publicly.
WFAA noticed when visiting the lot on Tuesday that the space with Trump's mural had already been painted over.
These moves are somewhat surprising for Keller ISD, which has recently heavily mixed politics with education, to the liking of some and the dismay of others.
Board members have introduced and enacted GOP policies in the district, which include reviewing library books and policies regarding bathroom access for transgender students. Board members have also made rules stating district employees may not. "promote, encourage, or require the use of pronouns that are inconsistent with a student's or other person's biological sex."
Days ago, the public listened to a proposed policy that could require parental approval for students to use different names and pronouns than those listed on their birth certificates.
A board member also recently resigned after allowing a religious film crew into a school without parents' consent or proper district permission.
Outspoken Keller ISD parent Laney Hawes has butted heads with board members over the years due to these changes and guidance.
She's not a Trump supporter but said she doesn't find the spaces an issue, adding that they fall under free speech.
"The school's first instinct is we don't want fights in the parking lot. We don't want people vandalizing this spot," Hawes said. "Keller ISD has been a hotbed for political controversy, and I think a lot of the administration just wants to focus on teaching. But I'm a strong proponent of, hey, if this is what you believe, then say it. Suppose the district wants to take a hard stance on political speech--good luck with that. But for now--I think kids have the right to go out there and represent how they feel."