Are they allowed to do this?

Question

In my locker at school I had a sticker that said "I Love Sluts" (I got it from a band named after that on warped tour). No teachers ever said anything about it, most thought it was hillarious. My friends all thought it was funny, so did I.

My locker also used to pop out of the wall (lol) and last night the janitors were going around and screwing the lockers back in after school hours. They took my sticker! Are they allowed to do that? Doesn't that count as freedom of expression or something? I know it might be considered "offensive content", but at my school they say you can't WEAR clothing/accessories with offensive material. I sure wasn't wearing it around school.

Can they do that? I want my sticker back! I think I'm going to buy ten more and plaster them all over my locker... for next time :)

I'll get in trouble if I put it back up? The only reason they knew it was there was because they went into my locker. If they don't go back in how will they even know?

They didn't clean off my friend who had pictures of her and her friends taped the her door.

Answer 1

If it on the outside of your locker, it can be considered graffiti.
Was it on the inside of your locker?
Did they have to scrape the sticker off your locker or was it attached in some way that it could have fallen off?
If it wasn't really attached, it could have fallen off and they may either have thrown it out or kept it because they liked it (stole it).

If no one at the school said they took it from your locker because it was offensive, then you can feel free to place a sticker back on your locker. After all, just because it is missing, doesn't mean it was taken as punishment or because it is offensive. No one told you there was a problem, so there is no problem.

Its not worth trying to get your sticker back. You will either get a janitor in trouble, or just cause the school to create a reason they took it so that you really won't be able to place the sticker back on your locker.

Answer 2

Technically they can do that. When you enter school property you are giving up some of your rights. The word "sluts" is controversial and a school district has a reputation to uphold. Be happy that they only took the sticker and you did not get disciplined for having it. I am a teacher so i know what these districts are looking for. The parents expect it to be a safe environment and most do not want their kids being exposed to this kind of stuff. Most students will probably laugh and joke about the sticker you had in your locker but what about the students that took it offensively? You have to respect others and it starts right there. This may not have been what you wanted to hear but it was the truth coming from a teacher that works in a school district. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The sticker belongs to you but the locker does not. The courts have upheld this consistently, meaning the school can search your locker if they feel a need to or open it for the police without your knowledge. I think you could safely assume they have the right to clean the doors off.
Part of the janitor's job is to clean up the school, which includes cleaning stickers off of school property. Maybe the janitor only just noticed it, but he/she was just doing his or her job. If you want to keep your stickers, attach them only to your own property, e.g. notebooks, book covers, clothing. I'm sure your sticker would have been taken off the locker even if it had said, "I Love Math."

Answer 4

You can't really prove that the janitors took it. How do you know that it just didn't fall out of your locker when they were repairing them??

I don't think that you should go around being upset and accusing people for things that you aren't 100 percent certain that they did.

I do think that you should get another.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

I'm not sure. Did you go to the administrative office at the school and calmly explain the situation and ask if you could possibly have it back?

This doesn't sound like a battle worth fighting. If you do go get more stickers, don't go crazy and put up a dozen - just put one back up where the other was. If they take it again - call the superintendent of schools and ask for written confirmation of the school district's official policy on such matters.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Bonk Hits for JESUS
ring a bell.

wheres the logic for kids now adays that think they have freedom to say anything they want nomatter how deragatory.

YES THEY CAN take it
yes they should have taken it.
If you buy 10 more you'll probably be disciplined so do it.

Put the stickers on your notebook, or on your wall in your room.
And learn some common sense

Answer 7

You'll end up in detention if you do.

How would they ever know? Well let's see dummy. You showed it to some of your teachers. Schools have the right to open a locker with or without your permission (it's their property). Why don't you just post those stickers on your wall at home. See what your mom has to say.

Answer 8

Just a heads up about "free speech" - that only applies in certain "areas" designated for "free speech." Your school, certain clubs, forums, and other "private properties" limit your right to "freedom of expression."

Answer 9

Because it IS offensive and it's a public school. Reality check - the world does not revolve around you.

Answer 10

I'm reminded of the chap that held up a banner reading "BONG HITS FOR JESUS". That chap ended up in front of the Supreme Court, as I recall.

School does tend to limit your freedoms considerably.
I believe your argument is valid.