Following a decision by the Florida Department of Education, a former Brevard Public Schools (BPS) teacher is still not allowed back in the classroom, according to a recent statement from the superintendent.The superintendent’s statement and decision came one day after he met with the new Florida Education Commissioner, Anastasios Kamoutsas, in Brevard County. A district spokesperson said the visit was routine and did not influence the superintendent’s decision.We sat down for a one-on-one interview Tuesday, after the superintendent made his decision. Former teacher Melissa Calhoun violated a state statute that restricts the use of names and pronouns unless a student has parental permission.“There was no intent behind it. I was just trying to teach a student in my classroom,” Calhoun said.ProbationLast week, she received a written reprimand and was placed on one year of probation. During a hearing with the Education Practices Commission, an attorney for the state said Kamoutsas disagreed with the punishment previously agreed upon under former Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr.Despite the objections, the commission accepted the agreement. Calhoun was allowed to retain her teaching certificate.“I immediately owned my actions. In reality, I had forgotten about the law,” Calhoun said.After the state’s ruling, she reapplied to Satellite High School.’This was not a mistake’Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell issued a statement Tuesday regarding her employment:”The Florida Department of Education has issued a formal reprimand and placed a former Brevard Public School teacher, Melissa Calhoun, on a one-year probation for knowingly and repeatedly violating state law by referring to a student by a name that did not match their biological gender, without parental consent. As Superintendent, I want to reaffirm our district’s unwavering commitment to parental rights. Teachers hold a powerful position of influence, and that influence must never override the rights of parents to be involved in critical decisions affecting their children. This was not a mistake. This was a conscious and deliberate decision to engage in gender affirmation without parental knowledge. We notify parents when students are absent or struggling with classwork; it is unacceptable to withhold information on matters of such personal significance. This was not a case of confusion or lack of training. Statute 1000.071 directed the state board of education to adopt rules to implement the statute; 6A-1.0955 is an administrative law that school districts are required to follow. Mrs. Calhoun has acknowledged that her actions were intentional and that she was aware of the law and violated it. That is deeply troubling. We must have trust in our teachers to act in partnership with families, not come between parents and their children, especially when it comes to these meaningful conversations. While the state has chosen to allow this individual to retain their certification under probation, I believe it is appropriate that the full term of that probation be completed before any consideration of employment. Our district will always prioritize the law, the trust of our families, and the rights of parents.” ‘Doesn’t need to be a death penalty’School board member John Thomas has advocated for Calhoun from the beginning, saying she is a good teacher who made a mistake.“Melissa Calhoun is an exceptional teacher who happened to call a student by a different name — one they’d been called for four years, long before this rule ever came about. Melissa didn’t even know the student by another name,” Thomas said. “There was an investigation, and Melissa did have a consequence, but it doesn’t need to be a death penalty.”Board member Megan Wright, on the other hand, said Wednesday she supports the superintendent’s decision. “I feel as though the state has given her a second chance by allowing the probationary period. Now, does that mean Brevard County has to hire her back? It does not,” Wright said. “There are lots of arguments all over the place on this, and I will just stand behind the fact that parental rights matter.”According to a state statute, the one-year probationary period will not begin until Calhoun resumes working. During probation, teachers must notify the Department of Education of any employment changes, have supervisors submit annual performance reports, pay administrative costs, and comply with relevant laws and policies.Probation allows a teacher to demonstrate improvement after a reprimand.
Following a decision by the Florida Department of Education, a former Brevard Public Schools (BPS) teacher is still not allowed back in the classroom, according to a recent statement from the superintendent.
The superintendent’s statement and decision came one day after he met with the new Florida Education Commissioner, Anastasios Kamoutsas, in Brevard County. A district spokesperson said the visit was routine and did not influence the superintendent’s decision.
We sat down for a one-on-one interview Tuesday, after the superintendent made his decision. Former teacher Melissa Calhoun violated a state statute that restricts the use of names and pronouns unless a student has parental permission.
“There was no intent behind it. I was just trying to teach a student in my classroom,” Calhoun said.
Probation
Last week, she received a written reprimand and was placed on one year of probation. During a hearing with the Education Practices Commission, an attorney for the state said Kamoutsas disagreed with the punishment previously agreed upon under former Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr.
Despite the objections, the commission accepted the agreement. Calhoun was allowed to retain her teaching certificate.
“I immediately owned my actions. In reality, I had forgotten about the law,” Calhoun said.
After the state’s ruling, she reapplied to Satellite High School.
‘This was not a mistake’
Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell issued a statement Tuesday regarding her employment:
“The Florida Department of Education has issued a formal reprimand and placed a former Brevard Public School teacher, Melissa Calhoun, on a one-year probation for knowingly and repeatedly violating state law by referring to a student by a name that did not match their biological gender, without parental consent. As Superintendent, I want to reaffirm our district’s unwavering commitment to parental rights. Teachers hold a powerful position of influence, and that influence must never override the rights of parents to be involved in critical decisions affecting their children. This was not a mistake. This was a conscious and deliberate decision to engage in gender affirmation without parental knowledge. We notify parents when students are absent or struggling with classwork; it is unacceptable to withhold information on matters of such personal significance. This was not a case of confusion or lack of training. Statute 1000.071 directed the state board of education to adopt rules to implement the statute; 6A-1.0955 is an administrative law that school districts are required to follow. Mrs. Calhoun has acknowledged that her actions were intentional and that she was aware of the law and violated it. That is deeply troubling. We must have trust in our teachers to act in partnership with families, not come between parents and their children, especially when it comes to these meaningful conversations. While the state has chosen to allow this individual to retain their certification under probation, I believe it is appropriate that the full term of that probation be completed before any consideration of employment. Our district will always prioritize the law, the trust of our families, and the rights of parents.”
‘Doesn’t need to be a death penalty’
School board member John Thomas has advocated for Calhoun from the beginning, saying she is a good teacher who made a mistake.
“Melissa Calhoun is an exceptional teacher who happened to call a student by a different name — one they’d been called for four years, long before this rule ever came about. Melissa didn’t even know the student by another name,” Thomas said. “There was an investigation, and Melissa did have a consequence, but it doesn’t need to be a death penalty.”
Board member Megan Wright, on the other hand, said Wednesday she supports the superintendent’s decision. “I feel as though the state has given her a second chance by allowing the probationary period. Now, does that mean Brevard County has to hire her back? It does not,” Wright said. “There are lots of arguments all over the place on this, and I will just stand behind the fact that parental rights matter.”
According to a state statute, the one-year probationary period will not begin until Calhoun resumes working. During probation, teachers must notify the Department of Education of any employment changes, have supervisors submit annual performance reports, pay administrative costs, and comply with relevant laws and policies.
Probation allows a teacher to demonstrate improvement after a reprimand.