PEORIA, Ill. – A candid Facebook post from Peoria Public Schools Director of Safety DeMario Boone is sparking conversation across the community after he described meeting a group of second-grade boys struggling with anger, violence, and emotional control at school.
Boone joined WMBD Radio’s “Greg and Dan Show” Thursday to discuss the post, which detailed an encounter with eight young boys sitting in a principal’s office after repeated behavioral problems.
What troubled Boone most, he said, wasn’t just the fighting. It was the lack of remorse.
“They did not care that they were down there,” Boone said during the interview. “That was troubling, especially when it’s second grade. That’s way [too] early.”
Boone said the boys were all dealing with similar issues tied to emotional regulation and conflict resolution. He said seeing young Black boys already struggling with those challenges was heartbreaking.
“I’m always hopeful,” Boone said. “That’s why I do the job. But what really broke my heart was seeing eight young men who look like me struggling to control anger and emotions.”
During the interview, Boone stressed that schools alone cannot solve the problem.
“We have your child for eight hours. You have them for 16,” Boone said. “What they see at home [and] how adults deal with conflict, kids are going to model that behavior.”
Boone said many parents are trying their best while also dealing with poverty, trauma, mental health struggles, and other hardships. He described conversations with parents who admitted they were overwhelmed and lacked support themselves.
He also highlighted the behind-the-scenes work the district does to help families, including connecting parents with counseling services, helping with utility bills, and making sure students have food at home.
Boone said the solution requires broader community involvement beyond the classroom. He encouraged people to volunteer in schools, mentor children through organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, or support the Peoria Public Schools Foundation.
“The village needs to step it up,” Boone said. “We love these children, but we cannot be the only people on the front lines holding the water back.”
Boone’s original Facebook post (included below) reflected on the encounter and warned about the long-term consequences of failing to address emotional and behavioral issues early in life.
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