Finch Walker

Post-government shutdown and heading into the holidays, agencies providing food and other necessities around Brevard are struggling to meet the communities needs.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

A Brevard school board meeting disappeared from YouTube, then later was made public again with an edit to remove a board member's profane comment against transparency.
The edit is likely in violation of Florida law, according to a First Amendment expert.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

A former Eastern Florida State College employee filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was terminated from her position because of posts made to her personal Facebook page about the death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

With November SNAP payments still up in the air, organizations providing food assistance to Brevard residents are struggling to keep up with the community's needs.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/s...

At a Nov. 4 meeting, Cape Canaveral's city council approved a resolution urging Brevard's school board to keep Cape View Elementary School open and work with the city to improve enrollment.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

Because of the government shutdown, November SNAP benefits won't go out to nearly 3 million Floridians. Here's how Brevard residents could be impacted — and who's working to help them.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2...

Another Brevard teacher is under investigation for not stopping a student from writing their chosen name on homework assignments. Anastasios Kamoutsas will seek to have her license suspended.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

Crosswalks and street art around Florida disappeared at the end of August -- including student art in Brevard.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

ICYMI: It's unclear how Brevard Public Schools will proceed as Florida moves to end mandatory vaccines. Here's what local healthcare providers said:
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said he believed Brevard teacher Melissa Calhoun — who was cleared by a state committee to return to teaching after using a student's chosen name without parental permission — deserved to be suspended.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

Still looking for input!

BREVARD STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS: I'm working on a story about BPS' updated wireless communication devices policy and want to hear how it's impacting you. If you want to share your thoughts for an article, reach me at 321-290-4744 or fwalker@floridatoday.com by 12pm 8/21.

Calhoun: "Nobody is intentionally trying to subvert parent rights. That's not our goal as educators. ... The reality is we're just trying to help develop successful, independent critical thinkers for the future of America."
ICYMI: You can read/watch the full interview here ⬇️

Melissa Calhoun was the first Florida educator to lose her job as a result of a 2023 Board of Education rule on student names.

Despite receiving international scrutiny for months, on her 35th birthday, she opened up about the incident.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

Tuesday: Brevard's school board denied a motion by John Thomas to reconsider hiring Melissa Calhoun, a former Satellite High teacher ousted for using a student’s chosen name without parental OK. She was cleared by the state in July to return to teaching.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

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There's a school board meeting tonight, where the board is expected to vote on the updated cell phone policy. I'll be covering that live on floridatoday.com starting at 5:30 p.m.

And around Brevard, numerous organizations and individuals chipped in to make sure kids started out the year with plenty of school supplies, shoes, and other necessities. Here's how they helped:
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

As the new year kicks off, be on the lookout for updated policies on cell phones and attendance, as well as new CTE programs at several high schools. Here's what you should know:
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

Most students started school on Monday, while kindergarteners will start later this week and pre-K students will head to class next week. Here's coverage from yesterday:
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

Yesterday was the first day of school in Brevard County! Here's what you may have missed (short thread):

'No political intent': Brevard teacher ousted over use of student's chosen name won't return to class Melissa Calhoun, who was cleared to return to the classroom after she was ousted for the use of a student's chosen name, won't be rehired in Brevard.

In April, a Brevard teacher was ousted after using a teen's chosen name. She could reapply if the state didn't revoke her certification, the district said.
Last week, a FLDOE committee cleared her. But Brevard Schools says they won't consider hiring her.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

Story has been repubbed with additional info and comments from Calhoun.

Brevard Public Schools won't rehire teacher ousted over use of student's chosen name Melissa Calhoun, who was cleared to return to the classroom after she was ousted for the use of a student's chosen name, won't be rehired in Brevard.

BREAKING: Despite a Florida Department of Education committee clearing her to return to the classroom, Brevard has opted not to rehire Melissa Calhoun, a teacher ousted for using a student's chosen name without parental permission.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

Government bodies grapple with changes to public comment policies around Brevard There is renewed focus on how government meetings are conducted, including getting access to speak and how social media is changing public perception.

How do Brevard government bodies handle public comments? It's an issue that's been up for debate over recent months.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/l...

State approves settlement with Brevard teacher ousted over calling student by chosen name The state reached a settlement with Melissa Calhoun, a Brevard teacher who was ousted after using a student's chosen name without parental permission.

Florida Department of Education's Education Practices Committee reached a settlement with Melissa Calhoun, a veteran Brevard teacher who was ousted after using a student's chosen name without parental permission.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2...

Tonight: Brevard Public Schools is set to discuss a tentative budget for 2026 and will vote on the 2025-2026 student code of conduct. I'll have live coverage starting after 5:30 p.m.:
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

State education board to hear from Brevard teacher ousted over use of student's chosen name A Florida Department of Education committee will determine the status of an ousted Brevard educator's teaching certification.

Melissa Calhoun, a former Brevard teacher who was ousted from Brevard Public Schools after using a then-high school senior’s chosen name without parental permission, is scheduled to appear before a Florida Department of Education committee on July 30.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

'The kids love it': South Brevard volunteers serve up free meals, books in summer program This summer, kids can get free meals and books at the Powell Community Youth Read and Feed.

This summer, the Powell Community Youth Read and Feed program is making sure South Brevard kids are not only getting home-cooked meals, but also learning to love reading.
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

Free backpacks and more: Here's where to pick up or donate back-to-school needs in Brevard There are numerous back-to-school supply drives around Brevard in July and August.

Looking for back-to-school supplies? There are numerous places you can pick them up for free around Brevard (or donate them):
www.floridatoday.com/story/news/e...

ICYMI: Here's how Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" could impact free school meals for Brevard students.