"Sabrina Steffans will proceed with her original design that was previously rejected by the school because of its religious references," First Liberty Institute, a religious liberty law firm, said in a statement.

Days after being threatened with litigation, the Grand Island Central School District near Buffalo, New York, decided to reverse course and allow the incoming high school senior to choose a religious design for her space, as the "school's tradition allows seniors, for a fee, to ‘express themselves' by decorating their parking space.'"

Steffens told CBN News this week that the potential legal showdown kicked off after two of her drawings of what the space would look like were rejected before a third was eventually allowed.

"I put in three drawings that I did, and the first drawing was a drawing of this mountain called Salvation Mountain," Steffens said. "And when I handed it in, they said ... completely no to it because it had crosses, a Bible verse, and just a lot of religion that they said that wasn't allowed."

The student then submitted another drawing with a Bible verse on it, which was purportedly also rejected.

"They finally agreed to ... the last one, which had no Bible verses, no crosses, or anything," Steffens said.

The incoming high school senior said she wasn't surprised by the first denial, as she runs the school's Bible club and purports to have experienced times when the school turned down ads from her club. (Screengrab image: via CBN News)

Steffens had ignored the previous issues, but after getting frustrated by the parking space situation, she connected with First Liberty Institute, and the firm sent a letter to the district.

Keisha Russell, senior counsel for First Liberty Institute, previously told CBN News they would sue if the Grand Island Central School District didn't relent. However, Russell and her client are content with the school's decision to allow Steffans to proceed. 

Watch the CBN News interview with Sabrina Steffens HERE

"We are pleased that the school district changed course and will allow Sabrina to truly express her deeply held beliefs in her design," Russell said. "The First Amendment protects students' private expressions of faith in public schools."

Brian Graham, superintendent of Grand Island Central School District, issued a statement to CBN News explaining the district's stance and its commitment to "fostering an inclusive school environment that respects the rights and dignity of all students."

"We also take seriously our responsibility to uphold constitutional principles, including the First Amendment," Graham wrote. "While we strongly dispute any assertion that our policies or decisions violated the rights of any student, the Board of Education and District leadership, after careful consultation with legal counsel, have decided that the student in question will be permitted to proceed with her original senior parking space design."

He said the decision provides a balance between upholding the law and avoiding litigation, which would be costly and would distract from the district's mission. Graham said school officials will also look at their policies moving forward to assess the best way to handle such situations.

"We will take time in the coming months to review the future of the senior parking space program and will consider whether adjustments to guidelines or practices are warranted to better reflect our goals as a public-school community," Graham said. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Read more about the backstory here.

Billy Hallowell writes for CBN's Faithwire.com.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

4 Ways Christians Can Pray for the Situation in Iran

New Media Network Combats Anti-American Spin by Featuring Veterans, Law Enforcement

South Dakota Supreme Court Rules 'Transgender' Individuals Can't Change Birth Certificates

Evil: Oregon Democrats Block Bill Requiring Medical Care for Babies Born Alive after Abortions

Oil Prices Dip as Trump Says Iran Conflict Is 'Ahead of Schedule'

3-Hour Airport Security Lines, TSA Working Without Pay during Democrat Gov Shutdown

Democrats Slammed for Shutting Down DHS amid Terrorism Threats

Nation on High Alert after NYC Attack, as Suspects Aligned with Islamic State; Meanwhile Dems Continue Shutdown of Homeland Security

Evangelical Leaders Return to Oval Office to Pray over Trump

Terrorists Transformed into Evangelists: YWAM Reports Powerful Stories of Redemption in Nigeria

Jesse Jackson's Democrat Son CALLS OUT Obama, Biden, and Clinton for Politicizing His Father's Funeral: They 'Do Not Know Jesse Jackson'

Trump Threatens Not to Sign New Legislation until Senate Passes SAVE America Act

Making History: President Trump Inaugurates Very First 'Shield of the Americas' Coalition with Leaders of Hispanic America [Video]

Media Ignored Gabbard's 2025 Islamization Warning, but Hill GOPers Are Taking Action

NYC: Counter-Protester Lights Explosive amid Anti-Mamdani Protest, Utters 'Allahu Akbar'

Iran's Regime Confirms New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Already 'Is Wounded'

Trump Pressures Australia and PM Gives In: Grants Refuge to Entire National Women's Football Team of Iran, after 5 Defected

Devout Jew Decides to Disprove Scripture by Reading the Bible; Is 'Blown Away' by What He Finds

South Dakota Passes Prenatal Development Education Bill

How Is a Free Cuba in the National Interest of the United States?