BREVARD COUNTY, FL – Brevard Public Schools in Florida is facing controversy after declining to renew the contract of a female teacher who allegedly called a student by their preferred name, rather than their legal name, without parental consent.

Florida Law Prohibits Use of 'Preferred Names' Without Parental Consent

The issue stems from a law passed by the Florida State Legislature in 2023. This law mandates that teachers must obtain written parental consent before referring to a student by any "preferred name" other than their legal name. The Brevard County School Board stated that the teacher in question did not obtain this parental consent.

Christine Stanek, a media specialist at Satellite High School where the teacher, Melissa Calhoun, works, defended Calhoun at a school board meeting last Tuesday. "She has made a positive impact in the classroom, on our students, and even in my own child's life," Stanek argued. "She deserved fair, contextualized, and compassionate treatment rather than a quiet exit."

The school district contends that Calhoun was aware that she was not permitted to call a student by a preferred name without authorization but did so anyway. "There was no harm, no threat to safety, no malicious intent. It was simply a teacher trying to connect with a student," Stanek countered at the school board meeting.

Petition Supporting Teacher Facing Dismissal Gains Traction, Over 5,000 Signatures

News of Calhoun's potential dismissal has sparked a petition on Change.org, primarily driven by her former students, demanding her reinstatement. The petition has garnered over 5,000 signatures. One supporter commented, "She is irreplaceable. Not only is she an amazing teacher, but she is one of the kindest and most caring people I have ever met."

School District Investigated After Parent Complaint, Cites "Clear Violation of State Law"

Janet Menahegan, Chief Strategic Communications Officer for Brevard Public Schools, stated in a release, "The district was made aware by a parent that a teacher at Satellite High School was addressing a student by a name other than their legal name without parental permission. This is a direct violation of state law and the district’s standardized written parental consent procedures."

The school district emphasized in its statement, "BPS supports parents as the primary decision-makers in their children’s lives, and Florida law affirms parents’ right to know." It continued, "After the allegations were brought forth, the district conducted a thorough investigation and issued a written reprimand based on the teacher’s own admission of deliberately not following state statute. Like all employees, teachers are obligated to follow the law."

The district further explained, "The teacher is on a 10-month contract that expires in May 2025. Because the state will be reviewing the teacher’s certification based on this action, the district has decided to withhold renewing the annual contract until the issue with the state is resolved."

Menahegan stressed, "BPS’s top priority is education, and teachers are here to instruct and support students’ academics. Our mission is to partner with parents and guardians to ensure students’ success."

Calhoun has reportedly been employed by Brevard Public Schools for 11 years, including a stint at Drolia Middle School, which is located next to Satellite High School.

Growing Criticism Within Education Sector and Civil Society Over "Excessive Punishment"

The Brevard School Board's decision has drawn increasing criticism from within the education sector and civil society, who argue that the punishment is excessive. They express concern that refusing to renew a contract over a simple matter of address is unduly harsh and could hinder the development of positive student-teacher relationships. The debate is also expected to intensify regarding the Florida education law, which critics argue overly restricts teachers' educational judgment and the respect for students' identities with rigid legal provisions.

Some also raise concerns that the law could infringe upon the rights of LGBTQ+ students and advocate for the necessity of amending the law to ensure autonomy and flexibility in educational settings. This case is anticipated to further deepen the discussion about the use of students' "preferred names" across the American education landscape, extending beyond the state of Florida.