Parents urge Peoria SD 150 to review safety director's Facebook post; board says it was personal

Peoria — Parents and community members urged the Peoria Public Schools board on June 22 to review a personal Facebook post by Demario Boone, the district's director of safety, that they said appeared to minimize the seriousness of a student bringing a weapon to a school‑sponsored event.

"My concern is that director Boone's Facebook post appeared to publicly defend or excuse the actions of a student who brought a knife to a school sponsored event and used deadly force against another student," said Danny Merdian, who identified himself as a Peoria resident, concerned parent and security professional. "When the individual responsible for school safety appears to defend such conduct, it creates confusion and concern about the standards we expect students and teachers to follow." (Danny Merdian)

Why it matters: Speakers said the remark undercuts the district's stated emphasis on de‑escalation, nonviolent conflict resolution and a strict prohibition on weapons at schools. Several asked the board to seek clarification, apology or additional review of whether the post conflicts with expectations for a public‑facing safety official.

Community responses and calls for review: Parents and community members described the post as lacking an explicit condemnation of a weapon at a school event and said its tone could weaken trust in district safety leadership. "Mister Boone's attempt to normalize the idea that violence is an understandable reaction to being yelled at or even shoved, I think, is very dangerous," said Roger Howery, another parent who spoke at the meeting.

District response: The board and administration said they had received more than 100 emails on the topic. In a public reply at the meeting the superintendent said the post appears to have been made in a personal capacity. "Peoria Public Schools is aware of concerns raised on social media regarding a personal post by Demario Boone, Director of Safety, Peoria Public Schools that was posted on June 8. It's my understanding that the post is from his personal perspective and was not made in his official capacity on or behalf of the school district," the superintendent said.

Next steps: Board members said they would repost a district statement to clarify the district's position and offered to facilitate direct conversations between Mr. Boone and concerned parents. The board indicated it would consult with legal counsel about next steps and follow up with community members who asked for review; no formal disciplinary action was announced during the meeting.

Context and constraints: Several speakers emphasized core safety priorities including de‑escalation training and consistent messaging from safety staff. At the meeting, board leaders repeatedly framed the matter as both a personnel concern and a communication issue that the district would address administratively.

What comes next: The board and administration said they will follow up with the parents who spoke and repost a clarifying district statement; any formal personnel decisions would be made only after administrative review, and were not announced at the June 22 meeting.