Meet the School Board

The Roanoke City School Board is made up of dedicated community members who work together to support the success of every student and staff member in Roanoke City Public Schools. The Board helps shape policy, set priorities, and ensure that our schools reflect the values and needs of our community.

Learn more about each member of the Board by clicking their name below.

Franny Apel, Chair

School Assignments for 2026-2027 School Year: Preston Park Elementary, Virginia Heights Elementary, James Breckinridge Middle, Patrick Henry High, and the Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC)

Contact Mrs. Apel

Michael L. Cherry II, Vice Chair

School Assignments for 2026-2027 School Year: Grandin Court Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, John P. Fishwick Middle, and William Fleming High, Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center

Contact Mr. Cherry

Derek Kaknes

School Assignments for 2026-2027 School Year: Garden City Elementary, James Madison Middle, Lincoln Terrace Elementary, Round Hill Elementary

Contact Mr. Kaknes

Donna Littlepage

School Assignments for 2026-2027 School Year: Fallon Park Elementary, Monterey Elementary, Wasena Elementary, Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy

Contact Ms. Littlepage

Auraliz "Liz" C. Quintana

School Assignments for 2026-2027 School Year: Fishburn Park Elementary, Hurt Park Elementary, Roanoke Academy for Math & Science (RAMS), and Woodrow Wilson Middle

Contact Ms. Quintana

Deidre E. Trigg

School Assignments for 2026-2027 School Year: Fairview Elementary, Morningside Elementary, Lucy Addison Middle, and Forest Park Academy

Contact Ms. Trigg

Joyce W. Watkins

School Assignments for 2026-2027 School Year: Crystal Spring Elementary, Westside Elementary, Roanoke Valley Governor's School, Charles W. Day Technical Education Center (DAYTEC)

Contact Mrs. Watkins

Franny Apel, Chair

Mrs. Apel was appointed to serve her first three-year term as a School Board Trustee from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025. She was elected as Chair of the School Board in 2025 and previously served as Vice Chair. Mrs. Apel is a high school math teacher and coach with more than 15 years of experience. She is a former Division I athlete at the College of William and Mary, where she earned a degree in math and physics. Mrs. Apel started her career in Teach for America in the inner city of Chicago. She then went on to teach and coach in rural, suburban, and urban schools before settling in Roanoke with her extended family. She previously served on the board of the New Vista Montessori School and is President-Elect of the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley. Mrs. Apel and her husband have two young children in Roanoke City Public Schools. Mrs. Apel brings to the School Board both her perspective and experience as both a teacher and parent.

School Assignments for 2024-2025 School Year: Preston Park Elementary, Virginia Heights Elementary, James Breckinridge Middle, Patrick Henry High, and the Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC)

Contact Mrs. Apel

Michael L. Cherry II, Vice Chair

Mr. Cherry was appointed to his second three-year term as a School Board Trustee from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. He was elected to serve as Vice Chair of the School Board in 2025. He currently serves as the Director of Operations of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia. Mr. Cherry holds a Master of Arts in Human Services, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg. He has eight years of experience in Roanoke City law enforcement, both juvenile and adult corrections, and is also currently the Senior Pastor at Altha Grove Baptist Church. Additionally, Mr. Cherry has served as a resident advisor, campus ministry leader, and student leadership and engagement coordinator at Ferrum College. In his application for appointment to the School Board, Mr. Cherry stated, "My goal and philosophy of education is with the right support, every child succeeds, and when the child succeeds, every family wins." His personal motto in life is "not self, but others." Mr. Cherry and his wife, Brittany, have twin daughters, who attend school in RCPS.

School Assignments for 2024-2025 School Year: Grandin Court Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, Round Hill Elementary, John P. Fishwick Middle

Contact Mr. Cherry

Dr. Eli C.S. Jamison

Dr. Jamison was appointed to serve her third three-year term as a School Board Trustee from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026. She served as Chair of the School Board from 2022-2025, and previously served as the Vice Chair. She is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business. Additionally, she has served on a variety of community boards in Roanoke and has been a consultant to the regional business community in the fields of organizational development, strategic planning, leadership development training, and intercultural competency consulting for over 25 years. Dr. Jamison earned a bachelor of arts from James Madison University, a master's in business administration from Vanderbilt University, and a Ph.D. from the ASPECT program at Virginia Tech. She has more than 15+ years of experience in university instruction and administration and has worked with Radford University, Hollins University, and Virginia Tech. During her terms on the board, she has served on the Board's Policy and Governance Committee, the Equity Task Force, Naming Committee, and the Career and Technical Education Committee. She also served on the Transition and Restoration Task Force, planning for the reopening of schools following the COVID-19 closure. Dr. Jamison and her husband, Mark, are the proud parents of two Patrick Henry High School graduates.

School Assignments for 2024-2025 School Year: Lincoln Terrace Elementary, Monterey Elementary, William Fleming High, Roanoke Valley Governor's School

Contact Dr. Jamison

Christopher T. Link

Mr. Link was appointed to serve the unexpired remainder of a three-year term as a School Board Trustee from February 26, 2025, through June 30, 2026. He brings a background of both professional engineering practice and community leadership to his role as a newly appointed School Board Trustee. A dedicated advocate for public education, Mr. Link believes that education is one of the most transformative pursuits in modern society —deserving dignity, respect, and the full support of the community.

Mr. Link is a professional engineer currently working as a Project Manager/Subject Matter Expert with LJB, a fall protection design-build contractor, where he has worked since April 2024. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Virginia Tech in 2001, followed by a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2003.

Beyond his professional expertise, Mr. Link is deeply involved in community service. Since moving to Roanoke, he has served as the Board President of the Raleigh Court Neighborhood Association, as a member of the City of Roanoke Fire and Building Code Board of Appeals, and as a member of the Property Committee at Second Presbyterian Church, where his wife, Elizabeth Link, is an Executive Pastor. Mr. Link is an Eagle Scout, and is currently the Cubmaster of Scouting America Pack 11. Together they are proud parents of their daughter, an elementary student in RCPS.

As a School Board Trustee, Mr. Link is committed to ensuring that every child has access to a rigorous curriculum, strong support, clear standards, and a safe learning environment. His leadership reflects a dedication to fostering educational excellence and opportunity for all students.

School Assignments for 2024-2025 School Year: Fallon Park Elementary, Wasena Elementary, Lucy Addison Middle, and Forest Park Academy

Contact Mr. Link

Auraliz "Liz" C. Quintana

Ms. Quintana was appointed to her first three-year term as a School Board Trustee from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. Ms. Quintana is a Youth Development Supervisor at Roanoke City Parks & Rec and a passionate advocate for her community. She served as the Vice Chair of Roanoke City Public Libraries Board and is a Board Member of The Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Virginia, and her goals are to ensure representation of her community in every department of the City of Roanoke and to empower women in her community. Ms. Quintana is an inspiring individual with the vision and determination to make the world a better place for the youth around her.

School Assignments for 2024-2025 School Year: Fishburn Park Elementary, Hurt Park Elementary, Roanoke Academy for Math & Science (RAMS), and Woodrow Wilson Middle

Contact Ms. Quintana

Deidre E. Trigg

Ms. Trigg was appointed to her first three-year term as a School Board Trustee, serving from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. She earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from Virginia State University. As a proud product of Roanoke City Public Schools, Ms. Trigg graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1993.

From 2000 to 2003, Ms. Trigg served the school division as a science teacher at Noel C. Taylor and coached students in various sports. She is currently employed with Elevance Health (Anthem) as a Subject Matter Expert II. Her civic activities include serving as a board member for the Youth Athletic Review. Additionally, she is the founder of the ELLE Academy and a certified graduate advisor for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. In 2019, Ms. Trigg received the NAACP Impact Award, UBU award, UPL award and Community service award from the Beta Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Ms. Trigg is a mother of two sons, Savion who is a RU grad c/o 2022, and Gabriel, who is a rising 6th grader at James Breckinridge Middle School. Ms. Trigg’s motto is, “Through knowledge, we gain wisdom for the journey.” She will always be an educator and a positive figure in the community, passionate about creating productive lifestyles.

School Assignments for 2024-2025 School Year: Fairview Elementary, Garden City Elementary, Morningside Elementary, and James Maddison Middle

Contact Ms. Trigg

Joyce W. Watkins

Mrs. Watkins was appointed to serve her second three-year term as a School Board Trustee from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025. She previously served as Vice Chair of the School Board from 2022 to 2024. Mrs. Watkins has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years and is currently the Sales Director for Elevance Health. Mrs. Watkins is a member of the City’s Youth Services Citizen Board and has previously served as the PTA President at Lucy Addison Middle School and William Fleming High School. Mrs. Watkins is a lifetime member of the NAACP, volunteers in the community regularly and has founded two youth support groups. She is married to Robert Watkins and they have two grown sons and two grandchildren.

School Assignments for 2024-2025 School Year: Crystal Spring Elementary, Westside Elementary, Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy, Charles W. Day Technical Education Center (DAYTEC)

Contact Mrs. Watkins