Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
LaCrosse native to join school district this summer
Sarita Hopkins.
DAVENPORT-A months-long search to fill a vacant principal position came to a conclusion in early May with the hire of Sarita Hopkins as the new elementary principal. The school board approved Hopkins' hire Monday, May 9.
The hire moves Noelle Carstens to secondary principal as Chad Prewitt prepares to take over the superintendent role from the retiring Jim Kowalkowski.
Hopkins comes to Davenport from Cheney Middle School, where she is wrapping up her third year as the assistant principal.
"I saw the opening and visited with the superintendent," Hopkins said. "That's their secret sauce, is to get you to see the school and their staff. It makes you want to work with them."
There was discussion amongst school district staff whether to hire a secondary principal to fill the vacancy or move Carstens to that spot and hire a new elementary principal. Hopkins said she was interested in the elementary position, an age group she's more experienced in.
"I never taught high school, but with 20 years of elementary experience, it seemed like a good fit," Hopkins said.
The LaCrosse native taught elementary school for six years in Washtucna and 12 years in her hometown. She then began teaching 6th and 7th graders at Cheney Middle School before working her way up the ladder into the assistant principal job.
Hopkins has local ties. Her three children, all now grown, attended Reardan High School for several years while the family lived in the Deep Creek area.
Her husband, Jim Hopkins, is full-time National Guard at Fairchild Air Force Base. The pair now live on Silver Lake in Medical Lake and are looking for a second property in the Davenport area.
Hopkins was chosen after a long day meeting with administration, teachers, students and community members in late April.
"The process was wonderful," she said. "It was not only thorough, but provided a glimpse into the district and community as well."
She'll begin her position in late July and become fully engrained with the district in August, when staff begins to prepare for the new year after summer break.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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