BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Brevard County School teacher at the center of a fierce debate over parental and students’ rights attended a school board meeting for the first time Tuesday night.
Melissa Calhoun, whose contract was not renewed after an investigation found she violated a state statute, administrative code, and board policy, attended a board meeting in which members voted to renew the contracts of many of her colleagues.
Documents first obtained by News 6 last week shed light on the investigation into Calhoun, a Satellite High School teacher who used a student’s preferred name without parental consent.
Calhoun, who received positive evaluations throughout her tenure in Brevard County, said she had been calling the student by their preferred name before a change in state statute, the documents revealed.
She told her school’s principal that she had no “malicious” or “political” intent in using the student’s chosen name, according to the documents.
The documents showed that the student’s mother complained to Vice Board Chair Matt Susin, concerned that faculty at Satellite were influencing her child to “transition” and “be gay.” The documents revealed the student identifies as transgender.
Before the meeting, a dozen or so protesters voiced their anger over Calhoun’s treatment.
“Melissa Calhoun herself deserves her job back,” said Paul Roub, whose children were in Calhoun’s classes. “That student deserves more respect. All the students deserve that great teacher. And also, who’s next?”
As protesters chanted, News 6 spotted Susin, who paused to watch the protest. As he moved into the building, News 6’s Mike Valente approached Susin for an interview. Susin declined.
After a public comment period in which teachers, parents, and students stood in support of Calhoun, Susin’s colleague, board member John Thomas, made a last-minute appeal.
“I would ask that you guys would consider renewing her,” Thomas said, directing his attention to his colleagues. “I can’t make the motion. I already lost once, but I would just say — we’re all people of faith. Dig down in your hearts and really try to do the right thing.”
Neither Board Chair Gene Trent nor Susin broached the issues related to Calhoun.
Susin also declined to speak to News 6 after the meeting. Dr. Mark Rendell, the Brevard County superintendent, also declined an interview.
The results of the investigation prompted Calhoun to be reprimanded.
The decision to not renew her contract, however, was not disciplinary, according to a district spokesperson.
In a statement, the spokesperson told News 6 the reprimand was the only form of discipline:
“The decision was made by Dr. Rendell based on uncertainty surrounding the state’s response to the incident. We do not have any historical data to guide us on a FLDOE response to this violation. We do not want to start the 2025-2026 school year with a teacher whose license may be revoked by the state, leaving us without a teacher midyear. Ms. Calhoun is welcome to apply to work at the district when the issue is resolved with the state.”