Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has agreed to pay $95,000 to the family of an Ardrey Kell High School student whose Charlie Kirk tribute was painted over by school officials last year.
The settlement follows a federal lawsuit filed after the student painted “Live Like Kirk — John 11:25” and “Freedom 1776” on the school’s spirit rock in September 2025. The family said the student had received permission to paint the rock before the message was removed.
As part of the settlement, CMS acknowledged that the message did not violate school rules.
The lawsuit alleged school officials falsely characterized the message as vandalism, pulled the student from class for questioning, and reviewed her phone logs. The family also claimed the student was publicly humiliated during the incident, according to ADF.
CMS later clarified that the student had not vandalized the rock and that no criminal investigation had taken place.
The controversy led to a districtwide review of student expression policies. On June 9, the CMS Board approved new free speech guidelines designed to provide clearer rules for student expression and spirit rock messages.
The case ends with a nearly $100,000 payout, a policy change, and an acknowledgment from CMS that the student’s message did not violate school policy.
