QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. — A Queen Creek Unified School District board member was called out by district employees for social media posts they said were offensive.
Several of those employees went before the school board on August 6 demanding action be taken against board member James Knox.
“Personally, I’d like to see him take accountability and apologize for this. As a board member, he needs to do better," Sherry Towns, a principal in the district, said. “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 employees are referring to posts previously shared on Knox's personal Facebook page where he publicly identifies with "QCUSD School Board."
The posts, which have since been deleted or made private, made crude references to Vice President Kamala Harris and diverse communities.
“We must commit to fostering a positive and inclusive, respectful learning environment for our students and that starts with the behavior at the top," Karen Mallo, a district employee, said.
The district's social media policy prohibits employees from posting "derogatory statements or sexually suggestive postings."
The policy does not apply to school board members who are elected officials.
“There’s no consistency in enforcing these standards and setting a clear example of maintaining credibility in a governing body," Veronica Campbell, a district parent, said.
Knox told 12News he shouldn't be attacked for posts shared on his personal page.
“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," Knox said.
Knox said anyone who takes offense to his posts, doesn't have to read them or vote for him.
“I would much rather have them join me and focus on the areas in our district that need improvement: raising our assessment scores, improving and lowering class ratios, improving the relationship between the administration and the teachers and getting teachers the resources they need so they can effectively teach our students," Knox said. "That’s much more important than a meme that might offend them.”
Knox was elected in 2022. His term is up at the end of 2026.
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