Wise County Public Schools

🛠️ Staff Spotlight: Mr. William Sanders
Role: Maintenance Specialist, Wise County Public Schools
Years of Service: 44 Years (With WCPS since 1981)

1. A Lifelong Commitment to Excellence
Q: Tell us about your journey with Wise County Public Schools. "I’ve been in the maintenance field for 44 years in total. I joined the central office team at Wise County Public Schools back in 1981."

2. Behind the Scenes: Keeping the Lights On
Q: What does a typical day look like for you? "My job is to keep the 'heart' of the building beating. That means managing the electrical services, maintaining the heating and cooling systems, and overseeing all fire alarm panels and safety systems. Essentially, I do whatever it takes to keep our buildings fully operational so that the focus can remain on education."

3. The Impact: Safety and Comfort
Q: What gives you the most pride in your work? "The greatest reward is knowing that the systems are running smoothly. When the students are comfortable and—most importantly—safe, I know I’ve done my job well. Providing a stable environment for learning is why I show up every day."

4. A Partnership Built on Decades
Q: Any closing thoughts on your time here? "I’ve had a great experience working with Wise County Public Schools; the district has truly been good to me. I also want to express my deep appreciation for my supervisor, Mr. Gary Lawson. We actually started together in 1981, and his mentorship over the years has meant a lot to me. It’s been a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated team."

Wise County Public Schools thanks Mr. Sanders for his continued service to our students and division!

The WCPS January 2026 Newsletter is now available for viewing.

You may access the newsletter by clicking the following link:
https://wisecova.edurooms.com/engage/wise-county-public-schools/newsletters/january-2026-newsletter

A message from our Food Services Department:

In anticipation of virtual learning days due to inclement weather, the Food Services Program will be sending home with students two days of meals, including 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches on Wednesday, January 14.

***This does not mean virtual learning is scheduled.

SCHOOL CALENDAR UPDATE: We’ve released an updated school calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. To view the updated calendar, click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QSxFf9yV71tht4WoMmc7SZf8bL4LHTKv/view?usp=drive_link

Roan says, "Never Give Up!"

The Ascent
Roan is a current sixth grader at Union Middle School. Born with Cerebral Palsy, doctors once told him and his family that he would likely be wheelchair-bound for life, however, Roan and his mother refused to accept that prognosis. Together, they set a goal — he was going to get stronger and learn to walk. Tragically, his mother passed away, and his grandmother became his guardian. Together, Roan and his grandmother continue to honor his mother’s goal in her absence: for him to walk. While he primarily uses a walker for support, Roan now walks independently during gym class and at home, steadily building his strength. His latest milestone is an exciting one — he’s transitioning from tall ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) braces that extend nearly to the knee to shorter supramalleolar orthoses (SMO) braces that reach just above the ankles. This change allows for greater freedom of movement. Even better? He designed his new braces himself — complete with flames!

The Climb Within
When asked about his favorite part of the school day, his answer came easily — “my friends,” he said, smiling from ear to ear. Recently, Dr. Cynthia Kays, a physical therapist who has served over five years with Wise County Public Schools (and over 21 in the state of Virginia), took Roan to Onsight Rock Gym in Knoxville, Tennessee. There, he got to climb with Tyler (pictured), “Mrs. Kays’ son,” scaling more than 25 feet up a 60-foot rock wall. His biggest takeaway? “It was much easier to climb up than to come down!” he laughed.
Then, without any prompting, Roan added, “My thing is never give up.” The words came out strong, confident, and full of heart. He repeated it, again, and smiled.

The Heart of a Teacher
He and Dr. Kays share a remarkable bond. Her commitment to helping him reach his goals is both steadfast and inspiring. As I stepped out of the classroom that day, I overheard her say with warmth and purpose, “Okay, Roan, let’s get on our stretching mat and get to work.” For Dr. Kays, this is more than a job — it’s a calling; and for Roan, her dedication has helped transform what once seemed impossible, into reality. Wise County Public Schools is deeply grateful for professionals like Dr. Kays, who help students reach their goals — one step at a time.

For Roan, the possibilities are endless. With a warm smile, and a committed heart of gold, there’s no doubt he will meet his goal. Dr. Kays, Union Middle School, and Wise County Public Schools will continue to be there cheering him on as he works to make progress in meeting his goals.

We are so proud of you, Roan!

🍎 Honoring Our Lifetime Educators 🍎
Mrs. Patsy Dotson, Teacher | 46 years and counting!

From the days of chalkboards and filmstrips to today’s SMART boards and iPads, Mrs. Patsy Dotson has been a cornerstone of Wise County education for nearly five decades. They say that home is where the heart is, but for Mrs. Dotson, heart is also found in the classroom. For 46 remarkable years, she has been a steady, loving presence for the children of Wise County, especially those at Wise Primary School.

From Clintwood Student to Wise County Mentor
Her journey came full circle right here at home. A proud member of the Clintwood High School Class of 1976 (graduating in the top 10 with honors!), she was inspired by the "wonderful and caring" teachers of her own youth. She took that inspiration to Clinch Valley College and later to the University of Virginia, where she spent two years traveling to Charlottesville on weekends and teaching in summer clinics to earn her Master’s degree from the UVA Curry School of Education—all while teaching full-time!

A Witness to Change
In four decades, Mrs. Dotson has seen education evolve from the era of chalkboards, filmstrip projectors, and play-based centers to today’s fast-paced world of SMART boards, iPads, and rigorous academic expectations. Through every curriculum trend that has come and gone, her philosophy remains unshakable: “Kindergarteners still need FUN sprinkled in with all the rigor that exists in Kindergarten now. It is of utmost importance to establish routines and good classroom management practices to ensure optimal learning opportunities for ALL children. We become a school family and create an environment of mutual respect! I truly LOVE my job and continue taking classes and participate in educational trainings to continue my own learning journey!

Memories that Last a Lifetime
Whether it was the elaborate Disney performances, the annual "Tale of Peter Rabbit" spring plays, or the "lightbulb moments" when a child first discovers the joy of reading, her impact is immeasurable. And who could forget the "lessons" learned along the way? (Like when a curious student accidentally turned her "winter white" trousers into a green-painted masterpiece!)

A True School Family ❤️
"I hope they remember the fun times and love as a ‘School Family,’" she shares. For her, the classroom isn't just a workspace—it’s her HAPPY PLACE. “I take pride in watching my students learn & grow every day! I always look forward to each new school year and the opportunities & possibilities it will bring!” (pictured) (Left) Mrs. Patsy Dotson stands with Mrs. Samantha Thompson (2nd grade teacher) in the early 80’s when she first started teaching Kindergarten. (Right) Fast forward!!! Mrs. Dotson's granddaughter is in Mrs. Thompson's class currently!

Even after 46 years, she continues to attend trainings and learn new ways to keep her students engaged, proving that a great teacher is always a great student, too. Help us celebrate, Mrs. Dotson! 🍎 Whether you were in her class in the 80s, 90s, 00s, or just recently, you are part of her legacy. 👇 Please share your favorite memory, a "lightbulb moment," or a simple "Thank You" in the comments below!

Good evening students, families, faculty and staff:

Welcome back and Happy New Year! We hope the holiday break brought time for rest, reflection, and celebration. As we return refreshed and ready to learn, we look forward to a year filled with new opportunities, goals, and successes. Please be advised that school operations will resume tomorrow, Thursday, January 8th, with an early dismissal schedule for students, both, on Thursday, January 8th and Friday, January 9th at 12:30pm.

Thursday, Jan. 8th: Student Early Dismissal at 12:30pm
Friday, Jan. 9th: Student Early Dismissal at 12:30pm

Teachers are expected to participate in scheduled professional development activities until 3:30pm on both early release dates.

On Wednesday, January 7th, the entire Wise County Public Schools team kicked off 2026 with an incredible professional development session at Union High School featuring the one and only Gerry Brooks, a veteran educator and social media influencer, from Lexington, Kentucky!

With over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, intervention specialist and principal, Mr. Brooks shared invaluable insights on how administrators can lead with intention, and how teachers and staff members can cultivate a positive classroom climate.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn, laugh, and grow together as a district. Our teachers, staff members and administrators are headed back to their classrooms and offices feeling encouraged, inspired, and ready to lead with a positive mindset. Thank you, Mr. Brooks, for inspiring Wise County Public Schools to lead with love, respect, and encouragement for ALL students. We’re ready to make the rest of 2026 the most positive year yet!