Claire Mitzel
Coordinator of Communications & Public Relations
(540) 853-6164 | cmitzel@rcps.info

Kelly Sandridge
Chief Communications & Community Engagement Officer
(540) 853-2905 | ksandridge@rcps.info

All media inquiries should be directed to the Communications & Marketing Department at (540) 853-2816 or media@rcps.info, including:

• Interviews
• Photos
• Statements

*Please note that same-day requests are dependent on staff availability and may not always be fulfilled. Communications & Marketing encourages reporters to reach out as far in advance as possible to ensure a timely response.

Public records requests under the Freedom of Information Act should be submitted to FOIA Officer Dr. Alan Seibert at (540) 853-2007 or foiaofficer@rcps.info.

Visit RCPS’ FOIA webpage for complete FOIA guidelines.

• Except for public meetings, media representatives must always seek permission to enter or videotape/photograph on Roanoke City Public Schools property.
• Members of the media will always be escorted by an RCPS employee while on school property.
• All visitors, including media, are required to check in through the visitor management system in the school's lobby. To check in, media representatives should bring a valid driver's license or government-issued ID.

RCPS maintains a newsroom on the division website to showcase exciting happenings across the division.

• Interviews and photograph requests with students or employees must be arranged through the Communications & Marketing Department.
• Students must have a signed media release on file to be featured in the news media, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Names, interviews, and/or photos/videos of students may not be published without first receiving permission from the Communications & Marketing Department.
• Media representatives are invited to attend all open meetings of the Roanoke City School Board and other public bodies. Media may film and/or record these meetings. Copies of the agenda, informational items, and other meeting materials are available online on RCPS’ BoardDocs website.

We invite coverage of our high schools’ athletic achievements. To arrange interviews or be granted access to attend sporting events, please contact our high school athletic directors:

Lee Johnson
Athletic Director, Patrick Henry High School
(540) 853-1190 | leejohnson@rcps.info

Jamie Bednarek
Athletic Director, William Fleming High School
(540) 853-2887 | jbednarek@rcps.info

• Athletic directors should only be contacted for coverage related directly to sporting events and athletic achievements. Reporters must contact the Communications & Marketing Department for any other coverage.

Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) serves approximately 14,000 students in grades pre-K through 12. RCPS provides an inclusive and equitable, student-centered culture that empowers lifelong learning. Through meaningful, relevant, and engaging learning opportunities, RCPS will empower all students to dream, excel, and meet their full potential to benefit our city and its citizens.

RCPS has 17 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, and five program locations. The school system also operates summer programs.

RCPS is led by Dr. Verletta White, who was appointed by the School Board as Superintendent in 2020.

The School Board is comprised of seven members who are appointed by Roanoke City Council. The Board meets twice a month, once for a regular meeting and again for a workshop. Regular meetings are alternately held at Patrick Henry and William Fleming High Schools. Workshops are held in the Media Center of Central Office (40 Douglass Ave. NW), unless otherwise noted. The Board’s calendar and meeting guidelines are available on the RCPS website.

The Communications & Marketing Department manages the division-level social media accounts, including:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoanokeCityPublicSchools
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoanokeSchools
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roanokeschools/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RoanokeCityPublicSchools
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roanokecityschools

We encourage local reporters and news outlets to follow our social media for story ideas and highlights of exciting things happening in Roanoke City Public Schools.

The table below lists proper names and references.