VA VA - Search continues Saturday for Union High School football coach Travis L. Turner, 46, of Appalachia - Missing since 20 Nov 2025

[justme11]

Public records show fugitive coach is still getting paid by Wise County Schools

Nearly three months since Union High School football coach Travis Turner went missing, News 5 has confirmed he is still receiving a paycheck. That's despite war

wcyb.com

What the heck?!

Per the article...
That's a total of $21,226.35 paid to Turner by Wise County Schools, after he went missing when Virginia State Police said they were en route to his home to question him.

 

[LittleSeaTree]

Public records show fugitive coach is still getting paid by Wise County Schools

Nearly three months since Union High School football coach Travis Turner went missing, News 5 has confirmed he is still receiving a paycheck. That's despite war

wcyb.com

Oh now, come on!! We’ve officially seen it all.

 

[Justice101]

He would have to be officially notified that he is being suspended without pay. Otherwise, they could be sued. Of course, the reason he cannot be notified is because he made himself go missing.

 

[Tealgrove]

He would have to be officially notified that he is being suspended without pay. Otherwise, they could be sued. Of course, the reason he cannot be notified is because he made himself go missing.

But he abandoned his job so in essence he quit.

Last time I looked if you stop showing up for work you stop getting paid.

What am I missing here?

 

[helpfulcharlie]

Was *he* getting paid, or was it being direct-deposited into a joint account and being used by his family? Despite the inflammatory wording, I'm sure the authorities know whether that money is being accessed by anyone externally.

 

[Justice101]

But he abandoned his job so in essence he quit.

Last time I looked if you stop showing up for work you stop getting paid.

What am I missing here?

teachers contracts are a lot different.

yes, after a certain amount of time "no show/no call", he can be terminated.. and we don't know if right before the loose started to tighten, he emailed HR and said he wanted to use his paid vacation time and/or go on leave.

It does look crazy that he was still being paid, but with school admin/union rules, it doesn't really surprise me that he was still getting paid.

Just thinking out loud and not immediately blaming the school district.

 

[mickey2942]

teachers contracts are a lot different.

yes, after a certain amount of time "no show/no call", he can be terminated.. and we don't know if right before the loose started to tighten, he emailed HR and said he wanted to use his paid vacation time and/or go on leave.

It does look crazy that he was still being paid, but with school admin/union rules, it doesn't really surprise me that he was still getting paid.

This looks like a huge oversight issue. Generally, you get a warning for no call/no show. Even on administrative leave, you have to call in.

 

[modesty blaise]

Put your finger up if you believe we are not getting the truth here. I'll believe he went into those woods if and when a body is recovered.

 

[Eli9]

Put your finger up if you believe we are not getting the truth here. I'll believe he went into those woods if and when a body is recovered.

Personally I do think he ended himself. I think he was mad from the position he presumably put himself in and couldn't face up to the legal process and also the loss of his, perceived or otherwise, hero/top dog status in the community. JMOO

 

[carterkatt]

teachers contracts are a lot different.

yes, after a certain amount of time "no show/no call", he can be terminated.. and we don't know if right before the loose started to tighten, he emailed HR and said he wanted to use his paid vacation time and/or go on leave.

It does look crazy that he was still being paid, but with school admin/union rules, it doesn't really surprise me that he was still getting paid.

Just thinking out loud and not immediately blaming the school district.

BBM
A "regular" teacher (not administrator/principal, etc) does not have "vacation time". They earn a few personal days per year and some sick days, which is different in every county. He may have many sick days on the books, but not "vacation" days.

And, Justice101, I agree with you - it does look crazy, but legally, the school division may have their hands tied, at least until the end of the school year, when he does not sign a new contract.