Parents, teachers and students press board to reinstate teacher Melissa Calhoun; board declines immediate action

Hundreds of community members and teachers asked the Brevard Public Schools Board of Education on Tuesday to reinstate Melissa Calhoun, a teacher whose contract was not renewed amid an internal investigation. Speakers said the Florida Education Practices Commission reviewed her case and did not remove her certificate, and they urged the board to follow a previously stated condition that her rehiring would be reconsidered if the state allowed her to continue teaching.

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, union leaders, parents, students and colleagues delivered repeated appeals for Calhoun’s reinstatement and for broader transparency in the district’s personnel decisions. Anthony Kluge, who identified himself as president of the Brevard Federation of Teachers, said the district’s actions suggested “accountability is only for teachers” and argued Calhoun deserved to be rehired.

Calhoun spoke to the board and described her instructional work and extracurricular involvement, saying she had served as a speech and debate coach, mock-trial coach, Beta Club sponsor and peer mentor. “When those teachers feel safe, they are empowered to be mentor teachers,” she told the board, urging transparency and protections for educators.

Other speakers described how Calhoun’s removal created a vacancy at Satellite High School and urged that the board place students above politics. “There is a vacancy at her school right now, and you’re leaving it vacant rather than hiring a teacher with a decade of highly effective evaluations,” said Andrew Spar, who also spoke in support of Calhoun.

Board members discussed the matter during the meeting. Board member Mr. Susan moved that the board request the superintendent re-evaluate the facts of the Calhoun case and reconsider the decision not to rehire her. No second was offered, and the motion failed for lack of a second.

Several board members reiterated the separation of roles between the board and the superintendent. Board member Miss Campbell said the superintendent has authority over hiring and personnel and described her own stance: she expressed sympathy for Calhoun’s situation and said she hoped Calhoun would find an opportunity to return but said she would not step outside the board’s role in personnel decisions.

Speakers also asked the board to host an impartial town hall to rebuild trust between the district and community. Multiple parents and students called for a moderated public forum where community members, teachers and administrators could ask questions and receive answers in a neutral setting.

The administrative staff recommendations listing 73 appointments and 29 reappointments were approved by the board as part of the consent/administrative items on the agenda. That vote included the promotions and principal appointments recognized earlier in the meeting; those personnel approvals passed by roll call.

Ending
The board approved the personnel recommendations but declined to act immediately on the community requests to reinstate Ms. Calhoun; a motion to direct the superintendent to reconsider failed for lack of a second. Several board members said they will continue to discuss district processes and requested further internal review, while community members asked for a town hall to rebuild trust.