Peoria school safety director faces criticism over social media post
[June 18, 2026]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(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.
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"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.
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