Brevard County Cites State Law Requiring Parental Written Consent for Use of Student's Preferred Name

A high school teacher in Brevard County, Florida, has faced non-renewal of her contract for addressing a student by their preferred name, citing a state law implemented since the 2023-2024 school year requiring parental consent for using any name other than a student's legal name. This marks the first reported case of a teacher's termination based on this law, igniting a fierce debate among students, parents, educators, and the local community.

According to Brevard Public Schools spokesperson Janet Morenaghan, Melissa Calhoun, an AP literature teacher at Satellite High School, was not offered a contract renewal for the 2025-2026 school year because she referred to a student by their preferred name without written parental consent. In a statement released Tuesday evening, Morenaghan asserted, "Brevard Public Schools prioritizes and respects parental rights regarding their child’s life, and Florida law also ensures parents have the right to know."

However, this decision has triggered strong backlash on social media and among current students, alumni, and some members of the community. Numerous citizens attended Tuesday's school board meeting to demand Calhoun's reinstatement, and an online petition advocating for her return has garnered thousands of signatures, indicating a growing wave of opposition.

School Cites "Violation of State Law," Teacher Supporters Argue "Expression of Respect"

According to school officials, the issue arose when the student's parent informed the school that Calhoun had been using the student's preferred name. The school conducted an investigation and stated that Calhoun allegedly admitted to being "aware of the statute and chose not to follow it." Consequently, the school issued Calhoun a written reprimand and ultimately decided not to renew her contract, citing her actions as a violation of state law and considering a review of her teaching credentials.

On April 8, a parent protested at a Brevard School Board meeting in support of a Satellite High School teacher whose contract was not renewed for allegedly calling a student by a preferred name without parental consent.

"The top priority of Brevard Public Schools is education, and teachers are here to instruct and support students academically. Our mission is to work together with parents and guardians to ensure student success," emphasized Morenaghan.

Calhoun's LinkedIn profile indicates she has worked in the Brevard school district since 2013, most recently as an AP literature teacher at Satellite High School, with her contract set to expire in May. She did not respond to FLORIDA TODAY's request for comment. The Brevard Federation of Teachers also declined to comment, and school board members did not respond to FLORIDA TODAY's requests for comment.

First Case in Florida Amplifies Debate on LGBTQ+ Student Rights

This case in Brevard County is the first reported instance of a teacher facing non-renewal due to the 2023 law requiring parental consent for using any name other than a student’s legal name. The regulation mandates parental approval for any name differing from the legal name, including those used due to a student's gender identity or even simply shortened versions.

Community members speculate that the issue involves the student's gender identity. Under the 2023 regulation, Florida school districts are required to develop forms to document parental consent for a student’s alternative name usage.

State Law Lacks Specific Penalties, Education Ethics Guidelines Unclear

The "Parents’ Bill of Rights" legislation, enacted by the Florida State Board of Education and signed into law by Governor DeSantis in 2023, does not explicitly outline specific penalties for teachers who fail to comply with the requirement for parental consent regarding students' preferred names. Furthermore, Florida’s Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession do not directly address the use of alternative names for students without parental consent, although they do prohibit instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom, except in specific circumstances, and ban the use of facilities that do not align with a student’s biological sex.

However, the guidelines do state that educators should make reasonable efforts to involve parents in decisions affecting a student’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being, without clearly defining the scope of such decisions. They also stipulate that educators are not required to disclose information if they reasonably believe that including a parent in such decisions could result in abuse or neglect of the student.

While Florida has a law addressing the use of preferred pronouns and "personal titles" that do not correspond to an individual’s sex assigned at birth for K-12 educators, it does not address whether students can use different names or pronouns. This law is currently facing legal challenges in federal court, with Judge Mark Walker issuing a partial stay, and teachers suing multiple defendants, including the Florida Department of Education, the Hillsborough County School Board, the Lee County School Board, and the Florida Virtual School Board. The state government has appealed Judge Walker’s ruling.

Parents, Teachers Advocate for Fired Teacher; Students Say She "Created Safe and Comfortable Environment"

FLORIDA TODAY reached out to the student’s family but received no response. At Tuesday’s school board meeting, Susan Pinsky, a mother of four, described Calhoun as a "foundational teacher" who taught three of her children. "Ms. Calhoun is one of those teachers who builds character. She’s a gift, and those teachers are rare. I implore the school board to reconsider this decision," she pleaded.

Kristin Staniec, a media specialist and parent at Satellite High School, drew a comparison between Calhoun's case and that of former Roosevelt Elementary principal Elizabeth Hill-Brodygan and teacher Carley Anderson, who were accused of hosting an underage drinking party. Both were placed on administrative leave, while Calhoun’s contract was not renewed. "For over three months, they have enjoyed time, privacy, and the benefit of due process, and until this item was brought before you tonight, they were paid," Staniec pointed out, arguing that while serious legal matters involving student safety are met with patience and protection, a policy misstep is unjustly ending the career of a respected teacher in silence.

Ahead of Tuesday’s school board meeting, Ryan Matrigali, a junior at Satellite High School, said he circulated a petition at school aimed at reinstating Calhoun. The petition garnered 284 signatures in one day, while an online petition reached 1,655 signatures by the meeting’s end and rapidly grew to nearly 6,650 signatures shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday. "This teacher didn’t commit a crime like other people or threaten students; she simply created a classroom environment where students felt comfortable being themselves," Ryan emphasized. Some students are also planning a walkout protest at the school on Thursday afternoon.

Advocacy Groups Say "Respect is a Given," Fear Worsening Teacher Shortage

On Wednesday, multiple statewide advocacy groups voiced their criticism of the decision not to renew Calhoun’s contract. Quinn Diaz, public policy director for Equality Florida, the state’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, stated that respecting a student’s name is "the easiest way for a teacher to create a positive learning environment." In an email to FLORIDA TODAY, he criticized, "This dedicated teacher is being fired for acknowledging a student in the same way we acknowledge our family, friends, and colleagues by using their nickname, middle name, or shortened name." He added, "At a time when we are facing a dire teacher shortage, hundreds of students are advocating for the reinstatement of this respected teacher. Unfortunately, Governor DeSantis and the Brevard County School Board are prioritizing culture wars over quality, respected educators."

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida questioned in a statement to FLORIDA TODAY on Wednesday afternoon how firing Calhoun would benefit students' learning and growth. "School officials should be working to retain good teachers, not firing them for simply showing respect. Every student deserves a learning environment where they feel seen, safe, and supported," said Daniel Tilley, ACLU of Florida legal director.

Several organizations, including Florida Defense of Democracy, Gen Z for Change, Moms For Liberty Brevard County (the local chapter unaffiliated with the national group), the National Parents Union, and Our Schools USA, released a joint statement Wednesday afternoon urging the Brevard School Board to reverse its decision not to renew Calhoun’s contract. "This moment is about standing up for students, supporting educators, and defending the moral foundation of our public schools. Ms. Calhoun stood up for a student. Now, it’s our turn to stand up for her," the statement emphasized.

This case starkly illustrates the ramifications of Florida’s "Parents’ Bill of Rights" law on school environments, highlighting the challenging task of balancing respect for student identity with parental rights. Further legal battles and social discourse are anticipated in the future.