Contentious Smyth County School Board Meeting Draws Allegations, Protests, and Affidavits Submitted to Magistrate
Marion, VA. Tensions ran high at Monday night’s Smyth County School Board meeting as parents, students, and advocates clashed with board members over public comment restrictions, student safety concerns, and the handling of allegations of inappropriate conduct at Chilhowie Middle School.
The meeting unfolded against a backdrop of growing community frustration, with advocates gathering outside beforehand and more than a dozen individuals later submitting sworn affidavits to law enforcement.
Advocates Rally Before Meeting
Prior to the meeting, parents, students, and community advocates assembled on the lawn of the Smyth County Administration Building. They displayed signs calling for safer school environments and demanding action. Some of the signs read “every child deserves a safe class” and “A child’s voice matters”
A notary was present to assist individuals in signing sworn statements documenting allegations of abuse and concerns about failures to make mandated reports. These affidavits were prepared before the meeting began.
Public Comment Restrictions Spark Immediate Conflict
The meeting opened with board member Ben Adams, who represents Chilhowie, reading the public comment guidelines at an unusually loud volume. Vice Chairman Paul Grinstead then announced that anyone who had not listed their home address on the sign‑in sheet would not be permitted to speak.
Several attendees objected, stating they withheld their addresses due to safety concerns. Among them were Bill Stamper and the parent of a minor student who intended to report allegations of sexual misconduct at Chilhowie Middle School.
A verbal exchange followed. Stamper and the student’s parent argued that the requirement was not listed on the public comment form and had not been previously communicated as well as that it was in violation of constitutional rights. Grinstead insisted he had “told people several times they had to put their address on the public comment form or they wouldn’t be allowed to speak.” Attendees countered that no one heard such an instruction and noted that the form itself contains no such requirement.
Grinstead did not offer an option for individuals to provide their addresses privately. He instructed speakers to “state your name and address” during public comment.
Exchange With Law Enforcement Escalates Tensions
During the dispute, Stamper addressed Smyth County Sheriff’s Deputy Tony Powers, asking him to uphold constitutional rights and protect speakers’ ability to address the board requesting no interruptions. Powers stood and argued the point, in what several attendees described as an unprofessional manner “not becoming of a Smyth County Deputy in uniform,” and said they felt it further escalating the already tense atmosphere.
Stamper’s allotted time began before he addressed the school board, leaving him with less than two minutes. He used his time to cite school policies on mandated reporting and expressed frustration that, according to him, “no one has turned anything in to DSS concerning alleged child abuse.” He also criticized the board for refusing to speak with concerned individuals outside the meeting. Failure to make a mandated report within 24 hours can result in a class 6 felony charge.
“These kids are calling out the problems, and you are letting pedophiles control it. Why don’t you get some backbone and stand up for these kids,” Stamper said. He also addressed Powers for interrupting him at the end of his remarks.
After continued argument between Grinstead, Superintendent Dr. Brad Haga, and members of the audience, a 14‑year‑old student was permitted to speak. She read a prepared statement.
Her statement read in full:
“On Thursday May 21, I was sexually harassed by one of my teachers. When I reported it, it was invalidated why? To simply protect his golfing buddy. When we sought higher power to ensure mine and every student’s safety we were dismissed. The school I went to, averaged a 4.0 GPA all year in, and succeeded in my challenging high school credits (while in middle school), failed me- and the school board followed right behind it and failed me. No teacher should be allowed to make passive aggressive comments to their students with no consequences, and a principal shouldn’t be allowed to cover it up just because he happens to be friends with the teacher. School is supposed to be our safe place, a place where students can socialize, a place where students who have rough home lives can be comfortable, and last but not least a place for learning and growing. Not a place of fear or where unacceptable actions like this go without consequences.”
Dr. Haga did not respond to the allegations. Instead, he moved immediately to an unrelated public comment email from Rodney Ford regarding sports.
Additional Speakers Blocked
Community member Luci Wolfe attempted to ask why individuals reporting sensitive matters were being required to publicly disclose personal information that could be used for doxxing. She was not permitted to speak.
The board then moved quickly through the remainder of the agenda, including discussion of employee raises and other end‑of‑year items.
After the meeting adjourned, heated comments broke out between audience members and board representatives. Based on video obtained from the meeting, Ben Adams, the Chilhowie representative, called members of the audience “trash,” told them “You all need to get a job,” and referred to one individual as a “big mouth.” Several attendees felt Adams appeared to be attempting to incite a physical altercation.
Affidavits Submitted to Magistrate and VSP
Following the meeting, 13 individuals traveled directly to the magistrate’s office to submit the sworn affidavits they had prepared earlier in the evening. According to those present, the affidavits detailed allegations of inappropriate conduct and concerns about failures by school officials to make mandated reports.
The affidavits were provided to VSP, and the individuals then provided statements to go along with these affidavits. Attendees said they had initially been advised that VSP would collect the affidavits at the board meeting, but were later instructed (by VSP) to deliver them directly to the magistrate instead. The group remained at the magistrate’s office for the next four hours waiting for resolution. Marion Police Department Officer D. Brown was on duty at the magistrate’s office and deserves recognition for his handling of the unusual situation that unfolded. He allowed access to restrooms as needed and went above and beyond to attempt to gather information to assist the group.
Community members also described a broader pattern in which individuals attempting to file criminal complaints are directed back and forth between agencies. Several attendees reported that when victims or parents seek to file charges, law enforcement often directs them to the magistrate, who then directs them back to law enforcement, creating an unnecessary and confusing loop. Advocates say this runaround makes the process unusually difficult to navigate for those who do wish to come forward and leaves victims feeling as though their voices do not matter.
Responses From School Officials
Three County News reached out to Chilhowie Middle School Principal William Green for comment previously. Green responded:
“As you know from reporter ethics and journalism, we can’t discuss juvenile situations, personnel situations, or one-sided social media post accusations. If families have contacted you, please tell them to reach out to me if they have any concerns about Chilhowie Middle School. Thanks for your understanding and best regards!”
Requests for Comment to Board Members
Three County News contacted Vice Chairman Paul Grinstead with the following questions:
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What written policy authorizes denying public comment to speakers who provide their names but decline to list their home address due to safety concerns?
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Can you show me on the sign‑in sheet where it outlines that those wishing to participate in public comment will not be allowed to speak if they do not provide this information?
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Why were these individuals not offered an alternate method of providing their address, given the sensitive nature of the information they intended to share?
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How does this decision align with the Board’s responsibility to ensure a safe and accessible environment for individuals reporting concerns about potential harm to students?
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Do you have any other thoughts or comments on this school board meeting that you would like to share with Three County News?
Grinstead did not respond.
Three County News also contacted Ben Adams with questions including:
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Do you acknowledge making the statements captured on video?
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If so, what was your intent in making those remarks?
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Do you believe those comments were appropriate for a sitting school board member?
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How do you respond to concerns from parents and community members who viewed the comments as dismissive of citizens raising concerns about student safety?
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Do you wish to clarify or provide additional context regarding your interactions with members of the public following the meeting?
Adams did not respond.
Upcoming Called Meeting
A called meeting has been scheduled for June 29. It is not yet known whether the board will address the concerns raised Monday night or the affidavits submitted to law enforcement.
Grinstead closed the meeting by apologizing “for those who didn’t sign up to speak,” though he did not address the broader concerns raised by parents, students, and advocates.
There is a citizen lead petition located at https://www.change.org/p/fire-the-superintendent-of-smyth-county-school-board?recruited_by_id=97d3a820-642e-11f1-ac08-b170814ab0ab&share_id=5kLpXGDRRv advocating for the removal of the Smyth County Superintendent.
