WCPS School Board Meeting Updates

August 11, 2025

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT UPDATES

CHS, JWA, and UHS - replaced light boards in the auditorium.
CHS, SPES, and UHS - bleacher replacements (in progress)
CMS - replaced school sign
CMS - replacing auditorium seating (in progress)
CMS, CPS, EHS, and SPES - complete gym floor refinish
CPS and WPS - student drop-off awnings (in progress)
EHS - HVAC upgrades (in progress)
EHS - replaced softball fence
EHS - baseball stadium (completed)
JWA and UPS - screen and resealed gym floors
LFA - HVAC replacement - old gym (in progress)
Lunchbox276 - renovating building
- Restroom facilities (in progress)
- HVAC system (in progress)
- Painting, new windows, drop ceiling (in progress)
Special education staff to old Minnick building
- Painted cabinets, new HVAC system
SPES - Finished up HVAC systems in classrooms
UHS - replaced stadium lights at Bullitt Park
UMS - classroom renovation
WPS - paved bus loop drop-off area

CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION UPDATES

VLA
- VALLSS testing and reading plans will now be required in grades 4–8 for those students who failed the SOL test in the previous year or had read-aloud accommodations.
  - WCPS will continue with VALLSS testing and development of 'Reading Plans' with K-3 students (as we did last school year).
  - WCPS has updated our division's 'Literacy Plan.'
  - Reading interventionists were hired in our middle schools to help provide the intervention that will be needed based on the 'Student Reading Plans.'
  - A greater emphasis on small group instruction in primary/middle schools to aid in minimizing reading gaps and improving reading.
UFLI
- WCPS purchased UFLI for K-2 instructors.
  - This is a phonics program that can be used as a supplemental program to help our primary students.
    - Summer Reading Academy teachers used the program and were very complimentary.
  - WCPS is continuing to use the HMH as core programming and supplement instruction with Horizon.
Math
- The MathSpace curriculum is used for grades 6–8 and Algebra I in our middle schools.
- This online program is 100% aligned with the new math SOLs.
- Teachers piloted the program last year and are very excited about having access to such a powerful program.
  - This will also assist us with our accelerated math classes in our 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
- We are awaiting a K-5 math program that fully aligns with VDOE standards and is on the state list for K-5 teachers and students.

Enhancing Student Transportation Systems to Optimize Accessibility, Safety & Efficiency

Over the summer, Wise County Public Schools implemented additional transportation modalities aimed at improving accessibility, operational efficiency, and meeting the evolving academic & athletic needs of its students.

Wise County Public Schools releases SY25-26 Teacher Salary Scales

For the 2025–2026 academic year, Wise County Public Schools released updated teacher salary scales that constitute the most competitive compensation framework in the history of the school division, aimed at attracting and retaining high-quality educators.

Wise County Public Schools tops 'Most Successful Teachers' in the CIP Consortium for the 2024-2025 Academic Year

The CIP is a consortium of public school divisions in Virginia working collaboratively to improve student achievement as measured by Virginia's Standards of Learning assessments. CIP assesses educator performance in comparison to at-risk students. Of 33 school divisions across the Commonwealth that participate in CIP, 31 teachers (26.5%) from Wise County Public Schools were deemed "Most Successful Teachers." These teachers had a minimum of 50% of their students who were identified as economically disadvantaged, and at least 15% of their students were identified as students with disabilities. Of those teachers, the Consortium selected those teachers who had the highest test scores.

Source: https://www.cip.education/

Wise County Public Schools Prioritizes School Safety and Security Within the Division

"The safety and security of our students and employees remains our primary focus. First and foremost, we are thankful that we have wonderful School Resource Officers in each of our buildings. These officers are better than any tool or security measure we can implement. We take pride in the work that has been done to secure and protect our buildings and are constantly evaluating what we can do better. In recent years, we have stepped up our training efforts to ensure that our buildings are implementing, and prepared to utilize, our tools and resources that are in place."

Dr. Scott Kiser, Director of Technology

Wise County Public Schools has worked tirelessly to increase safety and security measures division-wide over the summer. The following security measures have been implemented across the division to ensure staff and student safety for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year:

WCPS has leveraged two separate grants, ensuring there are telephones in every classroom in the division.
Continuously implementing updates to an emergency management system to initiate an emergency notification that is sent to building employees, district administration, and SRO's.
Implemented Vivi, a device that connects to TV's in classrooms and common areas that are integrated with an emergency management system. If an emergency alert is triggered, all TV's will display emergency information to allow students and staff time to react, plan, and execute safety/crisis plans.
Implemented an intercom system that integrates with the emergency management system that allows staff to access "call buttons" for emergencies/non-emergency incidents.

Installed 621 cameras on all campuses and facilities. These cameras are equipped with "person recognition" technology and have the capability to send alerts.
Implemeted environmental sensors in every school that monitor gunshot detection, smoke/vape detection, noise detection, and temperature monitoring.
Implemented a 3-D digital mapping and grid overlay to assist the Wise County Emergency Management team, providing emergency responders with quick access to AED locations, sprinkler system shut-offs, main power shut-off locations, roof access, etc.
Implemented a supervisor of school safety and testing coordinator. This position oversees crisis management plans and ensures compliance.
Implemented a school safety website for each school in the division with resources for administrators, including: School Crisis Plan, School Safety Drill Schedule, School Safety Drill Forms, Record of staff who completed K-12 Basic Threat Assessment and Management training, and Emergency Shelter Contract List.

"Braggin' on a Bus Driver"

The WCPS Transportation Team Keeps Wheels Moving

Heather Lane, Transportation Secretary

Wise County Public Schools would like to thank our transportation team, who is responsible for transporting our students safely to and from school, including after-school activities. Our transportation team met August 4th to engage in professional development and to prepare for transportation plans for this upcoming school year. These dedicated individuals meet the increasing transportation needs of our community and deserve such recognition! Thank you to each of our bus drivers, mechanics, transportation secretary, and transportation supervisor!

Wise Primary School Unveiling of Time Capsule

This time capsule was sponsored by Food City when Pow Wow Playground was built in 2000. Administration at Wise Primary School recovered the time capsule that was intact in a large sealed pipe. While Wise Primary School has built a new playground, the administration felt it was essential to honor the Time Capsule of 2000, opening it and displaying its contents at the "Back to School Bash" on Tuesday, August 5th at 5:30pm. The contents in the capsule will be displayed at the "Family Literacy Night" this upcoming school year!

WCYB Coverage

Michelle Salyer receives AdviseVA award!

Congratulations to Melissa Benavidez, Michelle Salyer, and Beth Burdick for receiving this year’s AdviseVA awards!

Michelle Salyer (Union High School) and Beth Burdick (Blue Ridge Community College Career Coach - Waynesboro High School) were selected as this year’s AdviseVA site supervisors of the year for their engaged partnership with the AdviseVA program and effective supervision of advisers.

Mrs. Michelle Salyer is a school counselor at Union High School in Wise County, and Beth is the Blue Ridge Community College Career Coach serving at Waynesboro High School. Both award winners were nominated by the AdviseVA adviser they supervised during the 2024-2025 school year.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Salyer as a change-making AdviseVA partner!

Wise County Public Schools partners with United Way to receive 500+ donated backpacks for students in our school division

Wise County Public Schools is so grateful for our partnership with United Way! Over 500 backpacks for elementary, middle, and high school students were delivered on August 6 to the WCPS central office for distribution. These backpacks are filled with back-to-school supplies as well as hygiene items.

This year's backpack donation exceeded the number of backpacks donated to our school division last year. Wise County Public Schools remain grateful and appreciative of our partnership with United Way.

Wise County Schools announces its policy for providing free meals to all students served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

All schools in the WCPS division will be participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) as implemented under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

The WCPS School Board recognizes

2025 Spring State Champions

The Wise County Public School Board congratulates the following student-athletes and coaches:

On Monday, August 11, 2025, the members of the WCPS School Board, alongside Superintendent Dr. Mike Goforth, recognized the Spring 2025 State Champions and coaches with certificates of commendation.

Their dedication, sportsmanship, and excellence represent the highest ideals of both the Virginia High School League and the Wise County School Board.

Eastside High School:

VHSL Class 1
Girls Outdoor Track & Field:

Jocelyn Aldrich - Triple Jump
Shelby Stanley - 800m Dash
Shelby Stanley - 1600m Run

Girls 4x800m Relay Team Members:

Shelby Stanley
Hailey Mays
Hannah Mays
Katie Williams

Joel Davis, Head Coach
Jay Edwards, Head Coach

VHSL Class 1 Softball State Championship Team:

Braelyn Hall
Maddie Compton
Emma Sartin
Haley Day
Dakota Clay
Mallory Durham
Jada Jordan
Rylie Bower
Haley Frazier
Alexia Bond
Zoey Nixon
Zoe Sartin
Rhyleigh Lawson
Peyton VanWinkle

Suzi Atwood, Head Coach
Alex Wyatt, Assistant Coach
Marcus Sartin, Assistant Coach

Union High School:

VHSL Class 2
Girls Outdoor Track & Field:

Katelynn Witt - 100m Hurdles
Katelynn Witt - 300m Hurdles
James Hamilton, Head Coach
Jay Edwards, Assistant Coach

Wise County Public Schools congratulates Braelyn H., Maddie C., Emma S., Haley D., Dakota C., Mallory D., Jada J., Rylie B., Haley F., Alexia B., Zoey N., Zoe S., Rhyleigh L., and Peyton V. from Eastside High School as the VHSL Class 1 Softball State Champions. The Lady Spartans are coached by Head Coach Suzi Atwood, who is assisted by Alex Wyatt and Marcus Sartin.

Wise County Public Schools congratulates Shelby S. from Eastside High School as the Class 1 Girls Outdoor Track & Field State Champion in the 800m Dash, 1600m Run, and 4x800m Relay Team.

Wise County Public Schools also congratulates Jocelyn A. from Eastside High School as the Class 1 Girls Outdoor Track & Field State Champion in Triple Jump.

Wise County Public Schools congratulates Shelby S., Hailey M., Hannah M., and Katie W. from Eastside High School as the VHSL Class 1 Girls Outdoor Track & Field State Champions in the 4x800m Relay.

The Lady Spartans are coached by Joel Davis and Mike Rhodes.

Wise County Public Schools congratulates Katelynn W. from Union High School as the VHSL Class 2 Girls Outdoor Track & Field State Champion in the 100m & 300m hurdle events. Katelynn is coached by Jay Edwards and James Hamilton.

Wise County Public Schools thanks Clayton Homes in Norton, VA, for their support with the Lunchbox 276 program!

Alumni Spotlights

Wise County Public Schools is eager to learn about and share alumni highlights from its graduates!

Please click here to complete a submission form.
***please note that submissions will be featured in the order they are received

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Wise County Public Schools
628 Lake Street NE
Wise, VA 24293
(276) 328-8017

Wise County Public Schools628 Lake Street NEWise, VA 24293

AUGUST 2025 NEWSLETTER