Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell and SLD 45 Commander Colonel Chatman officially signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Brevard Public Schools (BPS) and Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45) celebrated a significant milestone this week as Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell and SLD 45 Commander Colonel Chatman officially signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on enhancing support for military-dependent students transitioning into Brevard County.

The signing ceremony brought together key leaders from SLD 45, including Flight Chief Pamela Smith, FSS Commander Lt. Col. Peake, and Capt Meade from Family Support Services. Adding to the event’s significance, School Board Chair Matt Susin (District 4), School Board Member Gene Trent (District 2), and School Board Member Katye Campbell (District 5) were also in attendance, reinforcing the district’s strong commitment to serving military families.

As a designated Florida Purple Star School District, Brevard Public Schools is committed to going above and beyond to support military-connected students through specialized resources, streamlined processes, and strong community partnerships. The updated MOU—“Guiding Principles for Addressing the Issues of Transitioning Military Dependents”—builds upon that work by establishing clear, student-centered practices designed to ease transitions for military families.

Key elements of the updated agreement include:

• Streamlined registration using military orders

• Timely and efficient transfer of student records

• Full utilization of the Military Interstate Compact to support students moving between states

• Enhanced access to academic support, extracurricular opportunities, and mental health resources

Although BPS and SLD 45 have enjoyed a strong partnership for many years, this updated MOU marks an important step in aligning shared efforts with current district policies and Florida legislation that strengthen protections for military families. The document was carefully updated and reformatted in collaboration with Dr. Jayna Jenkins and Susan Clark, whose leadership ensured clarity, compliance, and an unwavering focus on students.

The event highlighted not only a renewed collaboration, but also a unified dedication to ensuring that every military-connected student entering Brevard Public Schools is welcomed, supported, and positioned to thrive.