The gist: Stephanie Hopkins of the Vallivue Education Association won a special election to serve in the position recently vacated by Alicia Purdy, also of the Vallivue Education Association.  

Where is Region 8?: The region covers far southwestern Idaho.  

By the numbers: Hopkins ran against official Joy Weisel of the Caldwell Education Association and received 56.6% of the vote. John Stamper of the Nampa Education Association received one vote.  

Terms and conditions: Hopkins will serve one year on the board to fulfill Purdy’s term; the seat will open for re-election in spring 2026. 

A bit about Hopkins: Hopkins is a special education resource educator who began her career in 2006 as a paraprofessional. She has held multiple union leadership roles and is a member of the VEA Back-to-School Committee that earned the Betty Roper Public Relations Award in 2025.