Exclusive: Springfield Public Schools insider alleges ‘kidnapping’ of trans student; SPS waffles

A whistleblower at Springfield Public Schools (SPS) says two teachers took a gender dysphoric student home with them without parental permission after the student expressed a desire to transition to another gender.

The alleged incident occurred in late January and involved two teachers and one student at Central High School, the whistle-blowing administrator, who wishes to remain anonymous, told The Lion.

The two unnamed teachers are no longer with the school district, the source said, but it’s unclear what led to their departure.

According to the whistleblower’s account, the teenaged student talked to a teacher at Central High about a desire to transition to another gender, but said their family wasn’t supportive.

The teacher then allegedly consulted with another district teacher and took the student home to collect some clothes.

The whistleblower characterized the alleged incident to The Lion as a “kidnapping.”

When contacted by The Lion to confirm or deny the incident took place, SPS Chief Communications Officer Stephen Hall referred to the allegations as “personnel matters.”

“I will need specific details – including the name of the employee and the school where you allege this occurred,” wrote Hall.

When asked if that response indicated the district was unaware of the incident, Hall would not say. 

“My response is very clear. In every media inquiry that involves an alleged human resources issue, we seek details, explore the circumstances, and reply in compliance with our policy,” he replied. 

Several times Hall mentioned policies in relation to protecting the employees involved in any investigation, but he never cited policies that would protect student welfare or parental rights. 

“The situation you have described regarding ‘staff helping a student begin to transition’ does not match any scenario we have investigated,” said Hall finally. 

In March, Christians Uniting for Political Action (CUPA), which is seeking a school board that will stop radical political and sexual indoctrination at SPS, posted photos of stickers and signs that fill Central High School containing messages in support of the LGBT ideology.  

“I want to invite the parents of Springfield to take a stroll with me through Central High School. Could there possibly be an agenda here?” wrote CUPA on Facebook.  

CUPA also noted that just “38% of Springfield students are proficient in math,” suggesting not enough attention is being paid to academics.  

Landon McCarter, a candidate for school board in the April 2 election, supported by CUPA, told The Lion he was unaware of the alleged incident, but called the whistleblower claim “a very serious allegation.” 

None of the other candidates running for school board, including incumbent school board president, Danielle Kincaid, responded to The Lion’s request for comments. 

In February, Missouri Rep. Jamie Gragg, R-Ozark, filed a bill, HB 2885, which would ban school employees from contributing to the social gender transition of students, “which a person commits if he or she, acting in his or her official capacity as a teacher or school counselor, provides support to a child regarding social transition.” 

The offense would be considered a Class E felony and the offender would be required to register on Tier I of the Sex Offender Registry. 

The Lion also attempted to contact each of the sitting school board members and the office of Attorney General Andrew Bailey for comment, but did not receive replies by time of publication.