Queen Creek School District Employees Demand Apology from Board Member

A recent controversy has arisen in the Queen Creek Unified School District, where employees are calling for school board member James Knox to issue an apology for his social media posts.

On August 6, several district employees addressed the school board, expressing their concerns over offensive posts shared by Knox on his personal Facebook page, where he publicly identifies with “QCUSD School Board.”

One employee, Sherry Towns, a principal in the district, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “As a board member, he needs to do better. It’s offensive to think that this is the message that someone who oversees our district is sending out there to our students and our staff.”

The posts in question, which have since been deleted or made private, contained crude references to Vice President Kamala Harris and diverse communities. Karen Mallo, another district employee, stressed the importance of fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment for students, starting with the behavior of leadership.

Despite the district’s social media policy prohibiting employees from posting derogatory or sexually suggestive content, the policy does not apply to elected school board members like Knox.

Veronica Campbell, a district parent, highlighted the need for consistency in enforcing standards and setting a clear example of credibility within the governing body.

Responding to the criticism, Knox defended his posts, stating, “I’m not going to hide from who I am. I’m not going to hide that I can be sarcastic. I can have a good sense of humor. I can have a bad sense of humor, but it’s just what it is.”

He urged those offended by his posts to focus on more pressing issues within the district, such as academic performance, class sizes, and teacher support.

Knox, who was elected in 2022, will serve until the end of 2026.

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