Duelling petitions over Niagara school principal’s ‘satanic’ display

The District School Board of Niagara is encouraging parents to work together with their school administrator to resolve problems after an online petition was launched calling for the removal of a heavy metal-loving principal.

The petition, which had more than 360 signatures Friday afternoon, indicates it was launched by parents concerned that Eden High School principal Sharon Burns displayed what it said was Satanic imagery when she posted photos on social media with a handmade 666 sign celebrating the band Iron Maiden.

As all communities and schools are supposed to be about kindness, EQUITY and INCLUSION, this displaying of Satanic symbols is mocking and isolating large segments of the community she works in and clearly is not upholding any of those values," wrote the petition author LC" in an updated post on the Change.org website.

That petition drew a counter petition - with 20 times more signatures - supporting the St. Catharines school principal who spreads nothing but love and kindness." The second petition had more than 7,230 signatures Friday.

We are aware of both petitions. While people will sometimes use social media or petitions to express their opinions, when it comes to school matters we encourage families to proactively have discussions with their child's teacher or the school administration," said Kim Sweeney, DSBN chief communications officer, Friday.

Burns declined an interview request after being contacted at the St. Catharines school and sent a message through Sweeney.

It is important to her that her focus stays on the students at her school, so she can continue supporting their learning and well-being," Sweeney wrote in an email.

The author of the petition Eden High School Principal, Sharon Burns, Needs To Be Transferred Immediately!" wrote the main concern is not Burns' love of Iron Maiden, but her photo of a hand-drawn sign with 666 in a heart.

Six hundred and sixty-six is a number in the bible referring to the devil, or Number of the Beast," which is also the name of an Iron Maiden album from the early 1980s.

The petition states that as concerned parents with impressionable children at the school, they are deeply disturbed" the principal blatantly showed Satanic symbols and her allegiance to Satanic practices" on a public platform using an Eden Principal" account. It demands she be transferred.

But the We need Mrs. Burns" counter petition by RR" said it was ridiculous to judge Burns' role as principal based on an Instagram post.

If you somehow don't like the principal of your child, grandchild, relative etc.'s school, then send them to another one," it says.

The petition says Burns has made many efforts to remind students Eden is a diverse place, including turning a room into a prayer room for students who practice religions other than Christianity, such as Islam.

She has made Eden a safe space for so many people. She spreads nothing but love and kindness, and is probably one of the best and most enthusiastic principals the school has ever had."

Eden High School on Lake Street has historical roots as a Christian school, but today is a publicly-funded secondary school that follows the Ontario curriculum. It has 1,100 students enrolled.

Sweeney said the school has many clubs and activities, including an option for students who are interested to take part in religious activities, but they are offered by a separate organization and not by the school.

Its educators are not held to different standards than at other schools.

All DSBN educators are role models to students, and are expected to uphold a positive learning environment that is focused on supporting students to achieve their full potential, empowering students' positive self-worth, and much more," she said.

Politicians in St. Catharines jumped to the principal's defence on social media and saw some humour in her love of heavy metal, with St. Patrick's Coun. Mat Siscoe tweeting, Shout out to Mrs. Burns who seems cool. Musical taste notwithstanding, that is."

Fellow ward Coun. Karrie Porter Tweeted she should run for city council. I can't count myself as a metal fan, but Mrs. Burns seems like the coolest person and I secretly want her to be my friend."

And Mayor Walter Sendzik Tweeted, Growing up in the 80s I enjoyed copious amounts listening to Iron Maiden. Sharon Burns you rock."

Karena Walter is a St. Catharines-based reporter, primarily covering City Hall for the Standard. Reach her via email: karena.walter@niagaradailies.com