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Bill Stamper urges Smyth County supervisors to prioritize special-education funding, accuses staffer of bullying
Summary
At a Smyth County special meeting on the school budget, resident Bill Stamper accused a school employee of bullying special-education students and urged supervisors to ensure special-education funds are distributed first or to withhold funds until the person leaves. He cited salary figures and said parents and teachers have complained.
Bill Stamper, a Marion resident who spoke during the Smyth County Board of Supervisors’ public hearing on the school board budget, urged supervisors to prioritize funding for special-education classrooms and accused a school employee of mistreating students. He said the district had removed microwaves from special-education classrooms, interfering with dietary needs, and urged the board to ensure money reaches those classrooms first.
"He makes over a $140,000 a year. That's $3,000 a week," Stamper said, arguing supervisors should review how school funds are spent and, if necessary, withhold funding until the employee leaves. Stamper said he has video and letters from students and teachers documenting his concerns and asked the board to consider delaying funds or imposing conditions to protect special-education services.
The hearing was part of a set of special meetings where the board read notices for the proposed FY2026–27 school and county budgets. The chair noted formal adoption was unlikely until June while the state budget was still pending. The board did not take action at the meeting; Stamper’s remarks were recorded as public comment for the official record.
