Missing Virginia coach Travis Turner fuels tense school board meeting as judge seals case records: report

The meeting's public comment section was reportedly removed from the agenda, angering parents who said they are concerned over a lack of communication from school officials. 

"We just decided that tonight we just wouldn't have open expression," Greear said. 

Greear reportedly pushed back against criticism suggesting students' families are upset over what they believe is an issue with transparency regarding the investigation into Turner. 

"Our main focus is the kids, we want to keep them as normal as possible," Greear said, according to WCYB. "We have resources, we have counseling services available in addition to what they ordinarily have at that particular site."

Public comment is set to be reinstated at the board's meeting on Jan. 12, 2026, with parents telling WCYB they plan to speak directly to officials then. 

In the days following Turner's disappearance, the football coach, who disappeared amid a then-undefeated season, was placed on "administrative leave with pay" pending review of an external allegation, according to a previous statement from Wise County Schools.

Authorities later announced Turner had been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor. The district later released an updated statement acknowledging that charges had been filed against the staff member in question, but stopped short of mentioning Turner by name. 

"The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students," Superintendent Mike Goforth said at the time. "The division will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this process moves forward. Because this is an active legal matter involving personnel, the division cannot comment further."

Turner's family has since issued an emotional plea for him to return home and face the charges, while revealing the family's home had been subjected to multiple searches by officials, according to a statement released by their attorney. 

Collins went on to confirm that Turner was last seen carrying a gun as he walked into the woods near his family's home, something he had done "multiple times throughout the years."

The family's attorney pointed out that criminal charges were not filed "until days after he failed to return home."

"He was not a fugitive nor wanted by law enforcement at the time he went missing. His wife was not helping him escape, she was asking for help to find him," Collins said.

The Wise County School Board, VSP and USMS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. As the search for Turner stretches into its third week, his family is continuing to plead with the football coach to return home.