Heavy metal principal prevails after parents try to get her fired over her alleged ‘allegiance’ to Satan

A high school principal in St. Catharines, Ontario, who posted a photo of herself next to a truck adorned with memorabilia from the 80s heavy metal band Iron Maiden, found herself the target of "concerned parents" who launched a petition to get her fired, accusing her of showing "Satanic symbols and her allegiance to Satanic practices."

According to the National Post, the ordeal was reminiscent of the "Satanic panic" from the 1980s.

In another photo, Sharon Burns can be seen posing next to the zombie-like Iron Maiden icon alongside the number "666."

"As concerned parents with impressionable children at Eden High School in St. Catharines, Ontario, we are deeply disturbed that the principal assigned to the school blatantly showed Satanic symbols and her allegiance to Satanic practices on her public social media platforms where all the students can see them under @edenprincipal (not her personal account)," the text from the now-closed petition read.

"Our school is based on inclusion, and openly displaying Satanic symbols (on a public social media platform) that directly goes against the principles of the vast majority of families who represent the school, is not inclusive," the petition continued. "As parents we are demanding her transfer to another school. Please replace her with another principal who aligns with the values of the families at Eden and will not sabotage the teaching or upholding of those values and will not try to introduce impressionable students to Satanic practices or symbolism."

At the time of its closing, the petition had garnered 553 supporters -- a small number compared to the 20,000-plus signatures that a counter-petition in support of Burns accumulated.

A school board spokesperson told the National Post that Burns is a "passionate and dedicated educator who is happiest when she can focus on and connect with her students."

"Our belief is that taste in music is subjective and we support that both students and staff enjoy a wide variety of genres," said Kim Sweeney, chief communications officer for the District School Board of Niagara.