Peoria school safety director faces criticism over social media post

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(The Center Square) – A social media post by Peoria Public Schools' Director of School Safety is drawing criticism from an education advocate who argues Illinois officials should apply the same standards to controversial speech regardless of viewpoint.

Demario Boone, who serves as director of school safety and a school resource officer for Peoria Public Schools, recently posted comments about a fatal stabbing case involving a Black teenager.

In the post, Boone suggested the teen was reacting after being physically confronted and criticized the jury's verdict, writing that jurors had never been "a young black boy" before convicting him.

The comments prompted a sharp response from education activist Shannon Adcock, who said Boone's role overseeing student safety requires impartiality and public trust.

"Public employees and officials in sensitive positions do not enjoy unlimited First Amendment protection when their speech on matters of public concern undermines impartiality, erodes public trust, or risks disrupting their core duties," Adcock told The Center Square.

Adcock argued Illinois has already established precedent for disciplining public employees whose speech is deemed incompatible with their professional responsibilities.

"If the standard from the Hedgepeth case applies, where criticism of BLM-linked unrest justified firing a teacher because it risked disruption, then Boone's speech triggers an even stronger justification for removal," Adcock said.

Adcock pointed to the case of former Palatine High School teacher Jeanne Hedgepeth, who was terminated after social media posts about race and the 2020 riots, as well as retired Judge James Brown, who lost a judicial recall assignment following public commentary on political issues.

According to Adcock, Boone's position differs from those cases because his duties center on student safety and violence prevention.

"His position is not that of a classroom music teacher but director of school safety," Adcock said. "He is explicitly responsible for protecting children from violence, threats and unsafe environments."

Adcock said Boone's comments create concerns about whether school safety policies would be enforced fairly.

"A safety director who frames a murder conviction in racial terms cannot credibly assure all parents and students, regardless of background, that rules against weapons, aggression or violence will be applied evenly," Adcock said.

She also argued the comments could undermine confidence among families and school staff.

"It risks workplace and community disruption far more acutely than Hedgepeth's posts," Adcock said. "Schools already face challenges with student behavior and safety. A high-ranking safety official endorsing or racializing a high-profile stabbing case invites distrust, parental withdrawal and internal division."

Adcock further compared Boone's situation to standards applied to members of the judiciary.

"Brown faced removal for speech creating an appearance of bias in a judicial role," Adcock said. "Boone's speech creates a far more concrete conflict in a role involving direct authority over children's physical safety."

Adcock called on district leaders to investigate the matter and consider whether Boone can continue serving in a position that requires public confidence.

"Demario Boone should be removed immediately from his position as Director of School Safety and any SRO-related duties," Adcock said. "Parents entrust schools with their children's safety, and that trust cannot survive a safety director who publicly rationalizes murder along racial lines."

Boone's supporters could argue his comments constitute protected speech made as a private citizen on a matter of public concern.

Courts often evaluate such disputes under the Pickering balancing test, which weighs an employee's First Amendment rights against a government employer's interest in maintaining effective operations and public confidence.

Peoria Public Schools Superintendent Sharon Kherat and district officials were asked to comment on Boone's social media post, whether the district is reviewing the matter and whether it believes the comments affect Boone's ability to serve as director of school safety. No response had been received by publication time.