What’s Going On in Hopkins?

The Hopkins School District faces major challenges. During the 2023–2024 school year alone, more than 2,200 Hopkins students open-enrolled to other public school districts—a striking number that raises important questions about why families are leaving and what can be done to rebuild trust and accountability.

HSA wants to be clear: we do not blame teachers for the district’s struggles. Our talented educators work hard every day to support their students. The core issues we’re facing are the result of leadership decisions made by the superintendent and the school board. It’s a systems-level problem—and it requires systems-level change.

Here’s a breakdown of the issues: 

1. Academic Growth and Proficiency Are Falling Behind

Academic proficiency scores in Hopkins have dropped a lot since 2017. This isn’t just happening in one group. Scores are falling for students of color, white students, English learners, and students from low-income families. The demographic make-up of the student body has stayed the same during this time. In fact, students in similar groups are doing better in nearby districts. That points to a problem with the system.

Sources:
Minnesota Report Card
Minnesota Statewide Assessments Subscore Report

2. Financial Mismanagement and Priorities

The district is grappling with ongoing budget shortfalls. Since 2016, classroom spending has increased by just 29%—a figure that hasn’t kept pace with inflation. At the same time, spending on district-level administration has surged by +224%. Hopkins now spends more on administration than surrounding districts, both overall and as a percentage of general fund expenditures. This trend makes us wonder why our limited resources aren't being directed to where they’re needed most: the classroom and student support services.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education; View full funding analyses here and here.

3. Concerns About Bullying and Safety

Physical altercations and bullying in schools, both documented and undocumented (including students in protected classes), have increased in recent years. The Minnesota Report Card’s Student Survey reflects a troubling decline in students’ sense of safety at school. Students in the LGBTQ+ community have raised concerns about lack of access to gender-neutral bathrooms at the high school for years.

Hopkins Schools Advocates supports strong, healthy partnerships between schools, local law enforcement, and EMS, something that's missing right now. We also believe in clear, consistent, and appropriate consequences for students who violate behavior or bullying/harassment policies, and we advocate for strategies that protect students’ well-being without compromising their right to a safe and supportive learning environment.