Teacher Paid Thousands After Disappearing Amidst Charges

In Wise County, Virginia, a concerning situation unfolded as Travis Turner, a physical education teacher and varsity football coach at Union High School, continued to receive his salary despite serious charges and his disappearance. Records indicate Turner was paid $7,075.45 on January 30, 2026, which included his teaching and coaching salaries. This payment followed his vanishing on November 20, 2025, after being charged with five counts of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to contact a minor.

School officials stated that Turner officially separated from his position on February 9, 2026, following a school board meeting. Wise County Public Schools superintendent Mike Goforth explained that payroll records might show compensation issued after board action due to standard processing timelines, contractual obligations, or accrued leave payouts. These payments, he clarified, do not reflect continued employment.

Parents in the community have voiced their distress and called for greater transparency. Stephen Murray, a Wise County parent, emphasized the need to maintain pressure and ensure accountability, stating, "We just need to keep shining a spotlight on it until something changes." The school district has previously faced similar issues, with a former teacher, Timothy Lee Meador, pleading guilty to felony charges in 2023.

Meanwhile, Travis Turner's family released a statement expressing their concern for him, noting he left without essential items. His wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, urged him to return and face the legal proceedings. Notably, Turner's oldest son, Bailey, remains employed at Union High School as a physical education teacher and assistant football coach.