Overview
- The Wise County School Board held its first public-comment meeting since Travis Turner vanished on November 20, with members saying they cannot discuss personnel or ongoing law enforcement matters.
- A letter read on behalf of an alleged victim said she initially blamed herself and felt she had embarrassed the school, intensifying demands for accountability and policy change.
- Speakers accused district leaders of a culture of secrecy and cited multiple past teacher arrests and convictions in the county as evidence of systemic failures.
- The board declined immediate responses and indicated concerns raised at the meeting would be addressed at its next session in February.
- Turner remains missing and wanted on 10 felony counts, with searches using drones, K-9 units and a helicopter, and a U.S. Marshals reward of up to $5,000; the FBI and Virginia State Police continue to assist.