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“A judge has ruled against Brevard Public Schools in a lawsuit that would’ve made it more difficult for teachers to challenge letters of discipline.

Brevard’s school board will next week consider an application to build a charter school in a rapidly sprawling area in the county.

“As it is now, members of the public have two opportunities to speak during a School Board meeting. First, they can address individual items on the meeting’s agenda when that item is being discussed. There is also a period at the end of the meeting where individuals can weigh in on other matters.

“A Brevard County circuit judge on Tuesday rejected the School Board of Brevard County’s bid to strike part of the arbitration award won by former Satellite High School teacher Melissa Calhoun. The ruling leaves intact the arbitrator’s finding that letters of reprimand issued to Brevard teachers require “just cause.”

“Actual public school parents are ignored, bypassed, stepped on, gone unheard, and the people who are not public schools parents — including people who come from out of state — are the voices that get centered,” [Rachel] said. “Our parent-centered process gets completely bypassed, despite the fact that actual public school parents have asked our superintendent to stick to it, and we just capitulate to state overreach, which is based in their discomfort, in everybody else’s discomfort.”

” Brevard County School Board members agreed Tuesday that all public comment at board meetings, including non-agenda comment that has been kept off the district’s livestream since 2023, should be broadcast and archived.

Brevard’s school board is considering a change to its controversial public comment policy, which would give people more opportunities to speak during meetings. Board member John Thomas proposed a number of revisions to the policy, and passed out a memorandum to his fellow board members during a Tuesday off-site work session. The proposed changes aims to strengthen community trust and transparency and aims to fix an issue that has been following the school board for years, Thomas said.

“The Brevard County School Board is asking a judge to weigh in on a matter that could limit teachers’ ability to challenge disciplinary measures.

‘First and foremost, your vote is your voice,’ [Bobanic] said. ‘It is the best method to express how you want government to run. If you are unhappy or happy with who is currently in office, the best way to affect change is by voting.’