Honoring Our Distinguished Educators | Mrs. Debra Laney, 46 years and counting!
Mrs. Debra Laney began teaching in Wise County in 1980 after moving from Connecticut. She spent 25 wonderful years at Coeburn Middle School, including teaching experiences at St. Paul, and now Eastside High School. Throughout the years, she worked alongside tremendous teachers and administrators, and made a lasting impact on countless students.
One of the greatest rewards of her career has been watching students grow—seeing those who struggled persevere, graduate, earn their diplomas, and go on to college, the trades, or the workforce–”When students attend college, or enter trades, those are my success stories.” Mrs. Laney hopes that she encouraged students to be accountable, self-sufficient, and productive. As she reflects, she “hopes she has helped students realize they have all the skills, talents and abilities to pursue their hopes and dreams.”
In the classroom, Mrs. Laney especially loves watching students discover a passion for reading and the excitement that comes with learning something new. “Mrs. Clay and I recently introduced a book to our class, and they instantly became hooked. It is so rewarding to see them excited to read–they’re glued to reading!”
Outside of the classroom, when asked about her reach and overall impact, she smiled–”When students see you, they smile and connect. That’s the true value of impact.”
In her personal time, Mrs. Laney enjoys spending time with her daughter, working on home improvement projects, reading, traveling, and volunteering at the St. Paul Food Bank on Thursdays.
Mrs. Laney has dedicated 46 years of dedication, encouragement, and impact on generations of students in the Wise County Public School division. We are so deeply grateful for Mrs. Laney, and her commitment to the students and families of Wise County.
Across the division, schools recently transformed into hubs of imagination to celebrate Read Across America Week, a nationwide initiative dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of literacy in students of all ages.
At J. W. Adams Combined School, Mrs. Blevins’ class brought a Dr. Seuss classic to life, bravely tasting green eggs and ham after reading the beloved book. It turns out, Sam-I-Am was onto something! 🍳🟢
Students at Wise Primary School were also honored by a visit from Izzy Horn, Miss Virginia Association of Fairs 2026. She inspired our students by reading her original book, The Power of You, sharing a powerful message of self-confidence and community.
Students at Union Primary School dressed up for "Favorite Color Day," while students at Coeburn Primary School enjoyed reading, "Oh, The Places We'll Go!" Students at St. Paul Elementary School celebrated "Hats Off To Reading Family Literacy Night," enjoying games, crafts, and lots of fun!
Students at all schools were able to attend book fairs, participate in creative dress-up days, and enjoy local guest speakers who shared their favorite stories! A huge thank you to our staff and guests for making reading an adventure!
The Special Education Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. via Google Meet. This meeting is open to the public, and all staff and parents of private school or home-schooled students are invited to participate.
Please contact Cari Braddock at (276) 328-8017 for more information about how to join the meeting.
WCPS celebrates National School Social Work Week March 1-7! This week, WCPS recognizes the incredible impact of school social workers who support students’ academic success, emotional well-being, and social development every single day. Mrs. Jennifer Fox and Mrs. Lora Smith help students overcome challenges, build resilience, strengthen family connections, and create safe, supportive learning environments. Their compassion, advocacy, and dedication make a lasting difference in our schools and communities.
Thank you to these amazing school social workers for being champions of hope, equity, and opportunity for every student!!!
Our alumni spotlight features Hailey Polly Bryant, Class of 2019, from Wise Central High.
Wise County Public Schools is eager to learn about and share alumni highlights from its graduates! Please click here (https://forms.gle/ADQAbVxjGmieZA6R9) to complete a submission form. Please note that submissions will be featured in the order they are received.
Our alumni spotlight features Dr. Ariel Cornett, Class of 2009, from Powell Valley High School.
Wise County Public Schools is eager to learn about and share alumni highlights from its graduates! Please click here (https://forms.gle/ADQAbVxjGmieZA6R9) to complete a submission form. Please note that submissions will be featured in the order they are received.
The Pro-Art Association has requested that we share important information that pertains to WiseJAMS after-school music program for 3rd-12th grade students who are enrolled in Wise County Public Schools.
Applications are open for the Spring 2026 semester of the WiseJAMS after-school music program. WiseJAMS provides traditional mountain music instruction and cultural enrichment opportunities for students in 3rd grade and up. Students can learn to play guitar, fiddle, or banjo. Program cost is $15 per lesson, or $150 for the semester if paid in advance. Full and partial scholarships may be available for those in need. The program also provides instruments for semester-long loan at no cost. To request an instrument, please submit the instrument loan agreement at proartva.org/wisejams.
The WiseJAMS-Wise program will offer lessons on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. beginning February 24th at L.F. Addington Middle School. Arrival times for students will start at 3:15 p.m. To register a student for the WiseJAMS-Wise program, please submit the registration form at proartva.org/wisejams by February 26th.
The WiseJAMS-Big Stone Gap program will offer lessons on Thursdays from 3:45-5:45 p.m. beginning February 26th at the Southwest Virginia Museum and Historical State Park. To register a student for the WiseJAMS-Big Stone Gap program, please call (276) 523-1322 by February 20th.
For more information, please contact:
Diana Burden
Marketing & Communications Director
Pro-Art Association
dburden@uvawise.edu | 276-376-4520
proartva.org
WCPS Releases 2026 High School Graduation Dates:
Eastside High School - Fri., May 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm @ UVA-Wise
Union High School - Sat., May 16, 2026 @ 11:00am @ UVA-Wise
Central High School - Sat., May 16, 2026 @ 4:00pm @ UVA-Wise
🚨 Big things are happening in the Criminal Justice pathway at WCCTC — all thanks to the incredible leadership of Mr. Kelly Fleming. Mr. Kelly Fleming brings nearly a decade of frontline experience to the classroom, specializing in the intersection of legal procedure, tactical response, and community care. Mr. Fleming has served 8 years full-time Law Enforcement. Additionally, he has served as a Criminal Justice Instructor at WCCTC for 8 years. For 17 years, and currently sworn in with the Wise County Sherriff's Office (Reserve Deputy), Mr. Fleming has been a certified and sworn Law Enforcement Officer.
Sophomore students from Union, Eastside and Central High Schools tour WCCTC programming. During the Criminal Justice tour, students are able to view a crime scene and participate as agents working that scene. This is an excellent educational outreach tool for those students who may not be enrolled in Criminal Justice that may desire to be in the near future!
Course Topics:
Legal & Procedural: Mastery of Search and Seizure laws and the fundamental Rights of Citizens.
Tactical & Physical: Certified instructor in Handcuffing, Defensive Tactics (Self-Defense), and the proper use of Basic Corrections Equipment.
Investigation: Hands-on training in Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), Fingerprinting, and Drug Identification/Basic Trafficking patterns.
Emergency Medicine: Life-saving proficiency in CPR and Tourniquet application.
Course Offerings & Availability:
Criminal Justice I & II: Foundational laws, ethics, and intro to field work.
DE - MECC: Dual Enrollment courses via Mountain Empire Community College.
Academy Prep: Rigorous physical and mental preparation for the Police Academy.
Advanced Instructional Tools:
Mr. Fleming secured a $35,000 grant to purchase the Milo (Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives) Use of Force Simulator. Mr. Fleming’s classes utilize this state-of-the-art simulation technology to provide students with high-stakes, "split-second" decision-making training.
Interactive Response: Students must issue verbal commands to on-screen subjects who react in real-time.
De-escalation: Focuses on the transition from verbal communication to the justified use of force.
Specialized Communication Training:
Beyond standard tactics, Mr. Fleming emphasizes the human element of policing, teaching students how to navigate interactions with vulnerable populations:
Alzheimer’s Patients: Techniques for managing memory-related agitation and wandering.
Mental Health Crisis: De-escalation strategies for individuals in psychological distress.
Career Advancement:
In Southwest Virginia, an entry-level law enforcement officer can typically expect a starting salary between $47,000 and $60,000 per year, depending on the specific agency and whether they are already certified.
While major metropolitan areas in Virginia (like Arlington or Fairfax) offer much higher starting pay, Southwest Virginia agencies are increasingly raising their rates to stay competitive for new recruits.
Virginia State Trooper - $60,000 - Paid during academy; rises to $65,403 after one year.
County Sheriff's Deputy - $47,231 – $50,107 - Based on current listings for Wise County and Norton
Town/City Police - $51,000 – $54,000
Campus Police (e.g., MECC) - $55,000 – $70,000 - Specialized roles or community college security often have unique scales.
Wise County Public Schools proudly recognizes Mr. Kelly Fleming for his outstanding leadership within the Criminal Justice program at Wise County Career and Technical Center (WCCTC). Through his dedication and vision, students in Wise County are offered meaningful educational opportunities that prepare them for lifelong careers in the field of criminal justice. His leadership not only equips students with real-world skills, but also helps ensure they can build successful careers while remaining employed right here in Wise County. Mr. Fleming’s commitment is making a lasting impact on students, families, and the entire community.
WCPS Parents, Residents, and Community Members:
Transparency and community engagement are the cornerstones of a thriving school division. Our school division proudly partners with the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) to ensure our policies reflect the highest standards of governance and state compliance.
To ensure our parents, residents, and community members are fully informed on how our school division operates, we would like to direct all stakeholders to our official "School Board Policies and Procedures" link on our division website. The most current version of the Policy Manual is maintained for public inspection at all times to ensure institutional accountability.
Community members may access the full Policy Manual by visiting this link: https://www.wisek12.org/page/school-board
Reviewing these policies provides insight into the rationale behind school division decisions, offering a clear roadmap of our operational standards. These documents govern essential functions—including student safety, curriculum development, and fiscal responsibility.
Thank you for your continued investment in our students’ success.
