At a school board meeting Tuesday night, some parents and students raised concerns about ongoing safety issues at Hopkins High School, describing a troubling culture of drug use and fights in school bathrooms and hallways.
Daphne, a Hopkins senior and varsity athlete, didn’t hold back as she described the widespread presence of vaping and marijuana at school. Her comments came while she criticized potential cuts to the school’s French program, which she said would make the problem of students “wandering the halls” even worse.
“Then you go in the bathroom and you walk out and there’s weed smelling everywhere, or a vape, and it’s hard because that’s not what you want as a high school,” she said to the school board members. “We’re 15 to 18 years old, you should not be smoking weed in the hall … you need to be taking rigorous courses if you want to get a good education.”
Hopkins coach speaks out about student safety
Daphne’s remarks were echoed by Mike Harris, a Hopkins High School parent, coach, and teacher, who told the board that some student-athletes avoid using the school restrooms altogether due to the smoking and vaping.
“I come to you as a coach now saying that some of my cross country and track athletes wouldn’t use the restroom because of safety concerns and that’s a problem,” Harris said. “When they come out to the track and they’d rather use the porta potties than be confronted in the bathrooms—that’s a problem that I see that we haven’t solved yet.”
According to Harris, the high school may start using “vape detectors” to help address the issue.
“The number of students in the hallway, as an observation, still are problematic. There are fights that still exist in the bathrooms. My own son is very aware of it and he’s talked about the fights that are occurring,” Harris continued. “I just want there to be consequences so that students know, even though we don’t have a student handbook, I want students to know that there are certain parameters you don’t cross.”
‘Queer Extravaganza’ drag event for middle schoolers
While student behavior at the high school was a focus Tuesday, other events planned across the district are drawing scrutiny as well.
Alpha News reached out to Hopkins Public Schools for comment on a reportedly scheduled “drag karaoke” event at Hopkins North Middle School, set for June 3.
According to a poster hung at the school, a Queer Extravaganza event is reportedly being offered to students between the ages of 11 and 14.
Hopkins North Middle School is still at it. Now there's a drag show planned for June 3.
Middle school = ages 11-14
Contact: Julius Eromosele, Principal
952-988-4801
Whyvhf.Rebzbfryr@UbcxvafFpubbyf.betGeneral: 952-988-4800 pic.twitter.com/sgAQYeGldm
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) May 18, 2025
Alpha News reached out to the district to confirm the details of the drag event, explain its educational purpose, and clarify whether parents must provide permission for their child to attend. Questions were also raised about whether the school believes such programming is appropriate for middle schoolers and what role parents or students played in shaping the event.
The district was also asked to comment on artwork currently displayed at Tanglen Elementary, which includes posters depicting Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ Pride messaging.
Submitted: Parents are questioning the curriculum at this elementary school in Hopkins after walking the hallway.
Tanglen Elementary pic.twitter.com/yvgTbnEbTB
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) May 2, 2025
As of publication, Hopkins Public Schools has not responded to Alpha News’ inquiries.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
