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Supervisors prepare subpoena language after school sequestered‑funds dispute; Dr. Stacy asked to appear in April
Summary
Tazewell County supervisors said money sequestered from local schools during an audit must be explained in person and amended a motion to ask for the superintendent's presence in April; the board added language that a subpoena would be issued if the named individuals fail to appear.
The Tazewell County Board of Supervisors moved on Thursday to require the presence of Dr. Stacy, the county school division chief, to answer questions about roughly $5.5 million in COVID‑era reimbursements that auditors found had not been disclosed in school financial statements and budget requests.
The board first notified the school division in January and had previously passed a resolution requesting Dr. Stacy appear. County staff said the board sequestered the funds in 2024 to preserve them while questions about the accounting and remaining carryover were resolved.
County attorney and subpoena authority County legal counsel reminded the board that under the statute cited in the meeting — “section 15.2 dash 14 o 9 of the Code of Virginia” as read aloud in the meeting — the governing body may investigate governmental affairs and may pursue subpoenas through the Tazewell County Circuit Court. Counsel said the court could issue show‑cause orders and sanctions — including fines or custodial sanctions — if a compelled witness failed to appear.
Motion and amendment After debate the board’s procedural posture changed: a motion to issue a subpoena was introduced but later withdrawn; the board instead passed a resolution formally requesting Dr. Stacy’s appearance at the April meeting and added language stating that if the named individuals did not appear, a subpoena would be issued that night. The motion carried.
Why it matters The sequestered funds were described in staff comments as reimbursements the school system received during the COVID period that had not been disclosed in the school board’s financial statements or budget requests. Supervisors said they have spreadsheets and expenditure detail from the superintendent but wanted in‑person answers to clarify line‑item descriptions such as “outdoor learning center” and “security lights.”
Next steps The board scheduled Dr. Stacy to appear at the April meeting and directed staff and legal counsel to prepare subpoena language that would be used if the resolution’s request for voluntary appearance is not honored. Supervisors also discussed the potential timetable for service and noted they expected typical notice requirements measured in days; legal counsel said he would expect 5–7 days’ notice might be required in some circumstances but would confirm the exact timing.
Ending The board combined a formal request with a fallback enforcement mechanism, leaving the matter on the April agenda. No use of compulsory process occurred at this meeting.
