Three candidates interviewed for Roanoke City School Board; public hearing set for April 21

Roanoke City Council held interviews with three applicants seeking service on the Roanoke City School Board, hearing short statements and questions on governance, student achievement, budgeting and library materials. The council announced a public hearing on the applicants during its April 21 meeting at 7 p.m.; no votes or formal appointments occurred at the interview session.

The session opened with applicant Franny Apel, who described herself as a current Roanoke City School Board trustee and longtime educator. Apel said she has worked as a high‑school math teacher and coach and holds a Master of Arts in Teaching with an active Virginia teaching certificate. “Education is a passion of mine,” Apel said, adding that Roanoke City Public Schools serve “nearly 14,000 students and 2,400 staff.” She said the board’s role is governance — oversight of budget, personnel, policies and capital projects — while the superintendent handles day‑to‑day operations. “I view the role of the school board as one that provides governance, oversight, whether it be budget, personnel, accountability, capital projects,” Apel said.

A key focus for Apel was improving academic outcomes. She described work on the curriculum and instruction committee and…