Queen Creek School Board Member Faces Backlash Over Controversial Social Media Posts

In Queen Creek, Arizona, employees of the Queen Creek Unified School District have demanded an apology from board member James Knox over offensive social media postings. Tensions escalated during the school board meeting on August 6, where several district personnel addressed their concerns directly to the board.

Principal Sherry Towns 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 restricted, criticized Vice President Kamala Harris and made derogatory remarks about diverse communities. Knox’s connection to these posts is particularly sensitive, as he identifies with the QCUSD School Board on his personal Facebook page.

District employee Karen Mallo stressed the importance of maintaining a respectful environment for students, asserting, “We must commit to fostering a positive and inclusive, respectful learning environment for our students, and that starts with the behavior at the top.”

While the district’s social media policy forbids derogatory or sexually suggestive content, it does not extend its enforcement to school board members. Veronica Campbell, a parent in the district, remarked, “There’s no consistency in enforcing these standards.”

In response to the backlash, Knox defended his right to express himself on social media, stating, “I’m not going to hide from who I am. I can have a good sense of humor. I can have a bad sense of humor, but it’s just what it is.” He suggested that those offended by his posts are free to disengage or vote against him.

Knox emphasized that his focus should be on improving educational outcomes within the district, highlighting priorities such as raising assessment scores and enhancing teacher resources. “That’s much more important than a meme that might offend them,” he asserted.

Elected in 2022, Knox’s term will conclude at the end of 2026, leaving room for further scrutiny of his conduct as a board member.