At Tuesday’s school board meeting, a few community people spoke out in favor of Calhoun, some holding banners they had created themselves.
Satellite High media specialist Kristine Staniec criticized the district’s handling of the matter and said that it was attempting to “slip this under the rug.”
According to Staniec, Calhoun’s legal infraction was inadvertent. “My colleague and child’s teacher was let go after just two weeks of internal review,” he claimed.
“There was no harm, no threat to safety, no malicious intent, just a teacher trying to connect with a student, and for that, her contract was not renewed.”
Calhoun is “beloved” at Satellite High, according to student Ryan Matrigali. “Ms. Calhoun is a teacher loved by all of her students,” he said.
“Her goal was to make everyone feel welcome … and to enhance their learning experience.” At the time of the board meeting, 1,655 individuals had signed a similar online petition,
