Cullman City Schools is offering some parents the option to opt out of sending their children to Space Camp for 75% of the fee due to controversy surrounding the employment of a transgender camp worker.
On Monday, Alabama lawmakers and thousands of others responded to reports from Huntsville-based Clay Yarbrough, who learned that Molly Bowman, a biological male who identifies as a female, would be working in the overnight U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp he planned to send his daughter.
Yarbrough included several screenshots from Bowman's social media, which was filled with hyper-sexual commentary. Comments on the post also accused Bowman of entering a girl’s showering area at a previous camp experience.
Officials from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center have yet to return requests for comment from 1819 News. Additionally, the center’s website has been scrubbed all of the names and contacts of its team members and board of directors, except executive director Brenda Carr.
In a video sent to parents, Cullman City School officials spoke on the recent controversy, trying to assure parents of student safety on the trip while still acknowledging parents’ possible concerns.
The school also included a form that parents could fill out to recoup a percentage of the $700 deposit made to send their kids to the camp. School officials said the U.S. Space and Rocket Center established the refund policy.
The form also contained a letter from Stacy Brasseal, the group's coordinator with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, in which she acknowledged the controversy and endeavored to assure parents of the safety measures taken by the camp.
The form was circulated amongst Cullman City Schools, but it’s unknown if other school systems received similar emails.
"We are aware of rumors circulating on social media about a Space Camp employee,” Brasseal said. “We would like to assure parents, teachers, and the public that the safety and security of Space Camp students is our number one priority. Any allegations of misconduct are taken very seriously. We are working to determine the facts in this case, after which we will take appropriate action.”
“The U.S. Space & Rocket Center adheres to all state and federal laws regulating hiring practices," she continued. "Our camp staff undergo extensive nationwide criminal background checks that include state, county, and municipal court-level information, Department of Corrections data, state sex offender registries from across the country, and multi-panel drug tests.”
The form included an option for parents to opt their children out of a May 12-17 Space Camp trip, with the possibility of recuperating 75% of their fee if the form was returned by Friday. If returned by March 20, the reimbursed amount is 60%.
Brasseal also included the following standards and procedures regarding the behavior of Space Camp employees:
No physical contact between staff and students beyond a fist bump or high five.
No staff is allowed to be alone with a student behind a closed door.
No sharing of personal details including personal phone numbers, email addresses or social media information.
No discussion of religion, sexual topics, politics, or sharing of opinions and beliefs that may be controversial.
“Additionally, staff sleep in separate rooms from students and use separate bathroom facilities,” Brasseal continued. “We also provide 24-hour onsite security including round-the-clock video surveillance, regular foot and vehicle patrols, and controlled campus and building access.”
“We are an apolitical organization with no social agenda. Our singular mission is to inspire and educate," she added.
Bowman has reportedly been placed on leave since the drama ensued. However, no one from the center has confirmed that claim.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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