Thirteen apply to fill Charlottesville School Board vacancy

Thirteen people have applied for an interim appointment to the Charlottesville School Board that will last until the general election Nov. 6.

Former School Board member Adam Hastings moved to Albemarle County with his family on March 3, immediately ending his eligibility to serve. Hastings was elected in November 2015 and had been up for election next year.

On April 11, the School Board will appoint a new member who will serve until a special election to fill the vacancy is held on Election Day. The interim appointment also will be permitted to campaign for election to the board.

The winner of the School Board special election would be sworn in immediately. Their seat will be up for election again in November 2019.

Applications for the interim appointment were due at 4 p.m. Friday. Charlottesville School Board clerk Leslie Thacker shared the names of 13 applicants:

James Bryant

Lashundra Bryson Morsberger

Selena Cozart

Emily Dooley

Brian Dublirer

Jessie Audette Muniz

Julia Prousalis

John Santoski

Jennifer Slack

Matthew Tennant

Joseph Thomas

The School Board will hold a public hearing to receive input from applicants at 5 p.m. Monday at Charlottesville High School. Applicants must attend the hearing in order to be considered for the appointment.

At the hearing, applicants will be given up to five minutes to speak about why they want to join the School Board; areas of concern they would like to see addressed; and other things they would like to accomplish on behalf of the city schools.

The board is slated to discuss the qualifications of applicants and make an appointment by a public vote at a meeting to be held at 4 p.m. April 11 at the Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center.

Two applicants have withdrawn their names from consideration.