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 on “Project 100,” the division’s graduation effort, and urged sustained, evidence‑based professional development for teachers: “How are we checking to make sure it makes a difference?” Apel said. On library challenges elsewhere, Apel urged listening and pragmatic solutions that respect parents’ concerns: “If you approach that issue with grace…we can come to what I think are reasonable solutions.”

Applicant Adam Markwood, who said he works in economic development and has been involved in local renovation projects, told council members he was motivated by civic involvement and by his children’s education. Markwood described budgeting and capital‑finance experience from private‑sector projects that used historic tax credits and New Markets Tax Credits and said those financing experiences inform how he would prioritize division spending. “There’s money coming in and money going out,” he said, describing his role managing budgets at a small firm.

Markwood said the board sets policy and priorities while the superintendent implements them. He raised concerns about recent budget pressures that have affected course offerings and said the board must prioritize programs in constrained budgets. On library challenges and book bans, Markwood called the issue “sad” and said he views some efforts to restrict books as politically motivated.

Incumbent applicant Watkins, who said she has served on the school board for six years, emphasized a partnership approach with council and the superintendent. “Our role is governance,” Watkins said. “The superintendent is in charge of execution.” She listed initiatives the division has adopted to support parental involvement and student needs, including an ombudsman office, expanded translation services, stronger PTA support and improved public dashboards for communication. Watkins also summarized recent academic gains: the division’s graduation rate rose to 87.5% in 2024 from 86.41% in 2023, she said.

All three candidates discussed ways to raise achievement. Proposals included expanding career and technical education, more dual‑enrollment and AP opportunities, targeted tutoring and translating classroom observations into responsive professional development. Several candidates said the current emphasis on high‑stakes testing can leave students behind and suggested balancing assessment with approaches that foster a longer‑term “love of learning.”

On the question of relations with city council, candidates stressed collaboration and regular communication. Watkins said the schools are financially dependent on council and described the relationship as a partnership that requires transparency and mutual understanding. Apel and Markwood likewise said trustees should maintain an open, collaborative relationship with council to coordinate priorities and funding.

Council members closed the session by reminding applicants that a public hearing on the applicants will be held during the council meeting on April 21 at 7 p.m., when members of the public may register to speak. The interview session adjourned without a vote; later in the meeting the council announced it would recess to continue closed meetings until 2:00 (no appointment action recorded in the transcript).

The applicants who spoke at the interview session were Franny Apel (incumbent trustee and educator), Adam Markwood (applicant with private‑sector development experience) and Watkins (incumbent trustee). No appointment or other formal action on the applications was recorded in the interview portion of the transcript.

Looking ahead, the council’s stated next step is the April 21 public hearing, after which the council may take further action on school board appointments at a subsequent public meeting.