Brevard Community Hosts “Stand with Calhoun Rally” Ahead of Key School Board Vote

Satellite Beach, FL – On Friday, April 18, students, educators, parents, and allies from across Brevard County will gather for the *Stand with Calhoun Parade*—a peaceful, community-driven action in support of Ms. Melissa Calhoun, the Satellite High School teacher whose contract is not being renewed after using a student’s preferred name.

The parade will take place from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the corner of Jackson and South Patrick Drive, and is intended to visibly demonstrate public support for Ms. Calhoun ahead of the upcoming Brevard County School Board meeting on Tuesday, April 22nd.

“Ms. Calhoun’s case represents something much bigger than a contract decision,” said Amy Roub, Florida Defense of Democracy. “This is about what kind of classroom environment we want for our kids—and what kind of educators we’re willing to lose if we continue down this path.”

Attendees will hear directly from students, parents, teachers, and community leaders who are concerned about the broader implications of silencing educators who prioritize student dignity and respect. The parade is not a protest—it’s a family-friendly show of solidarity, meant to highlight that the majority of Brevard supports inclusive education and the teachers who foster it.

This event is a precursor to a larger mobilization: community members are being urged to attend the Brevard County School Board meeting on Tuesday, April 22nd at 5:30 p.m., where Ms. Calhoun’s case and the district’s broader policies on inclusivity and classroom freedoms are expected to be a central topic.

“We’re asking everyone who cares about public education in Brevard to show up—not just Friday, but on Tuesday at the school board,” said one organizer. “What happens next will shape the future of our schools.”

The effort has gained national attention, with support from organizations like Equality Florida, the National Parents Union, and GLSEN Central Florida. Over 50,000 people have signed a petition demanding the renewal of Ms. Calhoun’s contract. More information can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIeE6AuOI9b/?img_index=1

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