WISE, Va. (WCYB) — Members of an outraged community demanded change and expressed frustration at the Wise County School Board meeting on Monday night. This was the first time the board allowed public comment since former Union High School football coach Travis Turner went missing.
Turner was last seen Nov. 20, 2025, he is now charged with five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
“Remembering that your first responsibility is not to reputations, not to legacies, not to maintaining an appearance but to the children of Wise County,” one speaker said.
Speakers reminded the school board in the past five years, four Wise County School employees have been charged with child sex related crimes.
“When there’s this much abuse it’s not just a few bad apples, it is a culture,” Stephen Murray said.
At the meeting Murray read a statement written by an alleged victim detailing her experiences.
“The most lasting damage was not just what was done to me, but what I was made to feel afterward. I did not feel like I was a victim, I felt like I was the problem. I felt like I embarrassed the school, damaged the reputation of our coaching staff and disrupted something I was supposed to protect.”
The alleged victim’s family praised her for coming forward.
“I’m extremely proud of my granddaughter. What she did probably saved some other children. I suppose there’s a reason for everything, as God says in due time.”
In his own comments, Murray called for the resignation of Superintendent Mike Goforth.
“He’s been in some form of leadership for the past few years, whether it be principal or superintendent, where some abuse has gone on. At some point if you’re the leader of this whole county and all of this is happening, it kind of sounds like you’re not good at stopping it so I’d like to see him step down,” Murray said.
At the meeting, Stephen Murray read a statement written by an alleged victim detailing her experiences.
The school board entered closed session to discuss employment during the meeting. Chair of the Board, Larry Greear, declined an interview. In response to public comment, he says it’s the community’s right.
“And if you think you are keeping it from the community by being silent. We find out at the laundry, we find out at the restaurant, we find out from the other children,” one speaker said.
Tuesday after the meeting, Union High School notified parents the school is taking part in a Virginia Department of Education survey looking at students feelings about school culture.
