A former Brevard County teacher is at the centre of a disciplinary debate after using a student’s chosen name without parental consent, a violation of a Florida Board of Education rule. Despite a settlement reached with the state’s Education Practices Commission (EPC), the Florida Commissioner of Education stated that he believes a harsher punishment is necessary.
Melissa Calhoun, a former Advanced Placement English Literature teacher at Satellite High School, used a 17-year-old student’s preferred name without obtaining written consent from the student’s parent. The action violated a 2023 Florida Board of Education rule, which requires educators to use only legal names unless a signed parental consent form is on file.
Commissioner calls for suspension over current penalty
As reported by the Florida Today, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas stated during an August 20 Florida Board of Education meeting in St. Augustine that he believes Calhoun should have received a suspension rather than the approved disciplinary action. He said, "We were adamant, our attorneys, that a suspension was appropriate in this situation where there was an intentional withholding of information for a parent."
The Education Practices Commission had previously approved a settlement reached between Calhoun and the Florida Department of Education under the leadership of former Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. The settlement included a $750 fine, a formal letter of reprimand, a one-year probation to be enforced upon future employment, and the completion of a college-level ethics course.
Local superintendent supports non-renewal decision
According to the Florida Today, Calhoun's employment contract was not renewed by Brevard County Superintendent Mark Rendell. This decision was first made in spring and reaffirmed after Calhoun reapplied for a position following the EPC settlement. District spokesperson Janet Murnaghan stated that "the district's decision was made independently," and was not influenced by Commissioner Kamoutsas’s visit to Brevard County the day prior to the public announcement on August 5.
During the August 20 meeting, Kamoutsas said he supported the district’s decision, stating, "Florida remains firmly committed to protecting parental rights," as quoted by the Florida Today.
Board members question limits of disciplinary authority
Board members discussed the possibility of overturning the EPC decision or appealing it through the First District Court of Appeal. However, Kamoutsas noted that such options are still under legal exploration.
Board member Esther Byrd expressed concern about the board's inability to act, saying, "I feel like in that situation, I would like for us to have had some recourse," as reported by the Florida Today.
Calhoun disputes intent behind actions
Calhoun has consistently denied that she intentionally violated the rule. As quoted by the Florida Today, she stated, "It’s shocking though that those in power so blatantly and proudly refuse the advice of those they put in place to recommend judgement and punishment."
The situation remains unresolved as the Department of Education considers potential rule revisions to prevent similar cases in the future, according to Kamoutsas.
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Melissa Calhoun, a former Advanced Placement English Literature teacher at Satellite High School, used a 17-year-old student’s preferred name without obtaining written consent from the student’s parent. The action violated a 2023 Florida Board of Education rule, which requires educators to use only legal names unless a signed parental consent form is on file.
Commissioner calls for suspension over current penalty
As reported by the Florida Today, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas stated during an August 20 Florida Board of Education meeting in St. Augustine that he believes Calhoun should have received a suspension rather than the approved disciplinary action. He said, "We were adamant, our attorneys, that a suspension was appropriate in this situation where there was an intentional withholding of information for a parent."
The Education Practices Commission had previously approved a settlement reached between Calhoun and the Florida Department of Education under the leadership of former Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. The settlement included a $750 fine, a formal letter of reprimand, a one-year probation to be enforced upon future employment, and the completion of a college-level ethics course.
Local superintendent supports non-renewal decision
According to the Florida Today, Calhoun's employment contract was not renewed by Brevard County Superintendent Mark Rendell. This decision was first made in spring and reaffirmed after Calhoun reapplied for a position following the EPC settlement. District spokesperson Janet Murnaghan stated that "the district's decision was made independently," and was not influenced by Commissioner Kamoutsas’s visit to Brevard County the day prior to the public announcement on August 5.
During the August 20 meeting, Kamoutsas said he supported the district’s decision, stating, "Florida remains firmly committed to protecting parental rights," as quoted by the Florida Today.
Board members question limits of disciplinary authority
Board members discussed the possibility of overturning the EPC decision or appealing it through the First District Court of Appeal. However, Kamoutsas noted that such options are still under legal exploration.
Board member Esther Byrd expressed concern about the board's inability to act, saying, "I feel like in that situation, I would like for us to have had some recourse," as reported by the Florida Today.
Calhoun disputes intent behind actions
Calhoun has consistently denied that she intentionally violated the rule. As quoted by the Florida Today, she stated, "It’s shocking though that those in power so blatantly and proudly refuse the advice of those they put in place to recommend judgement and punishment."
The situation remains unresolved as the Department of Education considers potential rule revisions to prevent similar cases in the future, according to Kamoutsas.
TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
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