There are times when we hear things that may trigger our sense of justice. Even though they happen in the name of justice, it just seems to be wrong on so many different levels.
That is how many people feel after a teacher has been fired from a Florida school. That teacher, Melissa Calhoun had been working for Brevard Public Schools for 11 years when she was fired because of a complaint that she was illegally calling a student by a name that was not on the registrar.
It’s a state law in the state of Florida that says that teachers must refer to pupils by their legal name. After she made this mistake, the school district decided that they would not renew her contract.
It happened after one of her students said that the teacher did not refer to them by the name that was on the birth certificate. This is a common request for students who are going through gender transition but it may also be a nickname.
That bill passed in 2003 in the state of Florida and it says that parents have to give written permission to allow for any name change to take place.
Calhoun worked in Satellite Beach at Satellite High School. It is southeast of Orlando about a 1-hour drive away and she was about to have her 10-month contract come up for renewal. That renewal, which was going to take place in May was not renewed.
Since she has been fired, a petition has been launched and more than 18,000 people have signed it. This includes many parents and former students.
The petition reads: “Ms. Calhoun, a cherished teacher will lose her teaching position in Brevard County. A dedicated educator and respected member of the community where she grew up and now greatly contributes, Ms. Calhoun is being punished merely for showing respect to a student’s choices.
“She was reprimanded for referring to a student by the name they prefer rather than their official name – a direct blow to personal rights and respect.
“Ms. Calhoun is an embodiment of what proper education should be: inclusive, understanding, and respectful of individuality. Losing her would be a significant loss to Brevard County’s education community.”
The petition went on to say how Calhoun had respected the decision of the student but a statement issued by the school system shows that she was aware she was breaking the law. She did so by using a name for the pupil that was not on the birth certificate.
Janet Murnaghan, the Chief Strategic Communications Officer for the school system released a statement, saying: “Brevard Public Schools (BPS) was made aware that a teacher at Satellite High School had been referring to a student by a name other than their legal name, without parental permission when the parent reached out to us.
“This directly violates state law and the district’s standardized process for written parental consent. BPS supports parents’ rights to be the primary decision-makers in their children’s lives, and Florida law affirms their right to be informed.
“After the accusation was made, the district conducted a detailed investigation. Based on the teacher’s own admission that she knowingly did not comply with state statute she received a letter of reprimand. Teachers, like all employees, are expected to follow the law.
“The teacher is working under a ten-month contract that expires in May 2025. Since the state will be reviewing her teaching certificate based on these actions, the district decided not to renew the annual contract until the issue is resolved with the state.
“At BPS, our focus is on education – teachers are here to teach and support students academically. Our job is to work in partnership with parents and guardians to ensure student success.
“Calhoun worked for the school district for eleven years and taught at DeLaura Middle School, next to Satellite High, before her current position.”
