Warren Hopkins

Warren Hopkins is has been the deputy superintendent of the Arlington School District since 2005. From 2000 to 2005, Hopkins was the assistant superintendent. From 1986 to 2000, he was a principal in three different high schools, and from 1977 to 1986 Hopkins was a teacher in the Richland School District.

Why are you interested in the Selah School District position?

First, Selah School District has always had an outstanding reputation among educators.  Next, from everything I’ve seen, heard, or researched, Selah is a wonderful community that supports its schools and teachers.  That makes it the kind of community where I would want to live, work, and contribute to its success.  Finally, after more than twenty years as a school administrator, I am looking for the opportunity to share my skills as a superintendent.

How does Selah compare in size, demographics, and budget compared to Arlington School District.

I have spent the last eight years as Deputy Superintendent in Arlington School District.  Arlington has approximately 5,200 students and an annual budget of approximately $47 million.  In 2007, Arlington completed a multi-year $98 million Capital Projects program to upgrade our facilities that included a replacement high school and stadium, two elementaries, a new middle school, and most recently, a 700-seat performing arts center adjacent to the new high school.  Although Arlington is a bit bigger than Selah, the other demographics (ethnic, socio-economic) are very similar. 

Do you have a philosophy or an overriding principle that guides your actions as an administrator?

In just a few words, the overriding principles that guide me as a leader are: Compassion, Collaboration, and Community.  Compassion for people.  How we treat each other and the students trusted to us is the starting point of all learning.  As the old saying goes, “Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”  How learning takes place is through collaboration.  I believe that teamwork among teachers, and with students, parents and administrators, is the best way to help students succeed.  I also believe schools are a reflection and foundation of their community.  It is the superintendent’s job to work so that everyone in the community knows about and supports their schools.

What do you see as the challenges facing the Selah School District, as well as its strengths?

It is clear that the strengths in Selah are good schools with strong programs and committed staffs that enjoy wonderful community support.  The challenges are to first continue the many things that are going well, and then work on those areas the community sees as needs, such as making sure graduates are ready for whatever their next step is after high school, increasing the rigor and relevance of programs, and being mindful of increasing needs (curriculum, facility, maintenance, technology, etc.) while living within limited resources.

Do you have family/children?

I have been married for almost 29 years.  My wife is also an educator and has just earned her administrative credentials.  We have two daughters.  Our oldest is married and has a son who will be two in August.  Her husband is a Lieutenant in the Air Force and they are stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.  Our other daughter has just graduated from WSU and will be getting married in August.