The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) has named Willard (Will) Pope, M.Ed., as its new Chief Administrator, Human Resources, effective Aug. 4. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County Office of Education

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) has named Willard (Will) Pope, M.Ed., as its new Chief Administrator, Human Resources, effective Aug. 4.

Pope succeeds Darrien Slider-Johnson, M.Ed., who is retiring from her position as Chief Administrator, Human Resources. In his new role, Pope will lead SCOE’s human resources functions and support the systems, relationships and practices needed to recruit, develop and retain a highly qualified workforce.

“Will brings a valuable combination of human resources expertise, labor-relations experience, and school-site leadership,” said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools, David W. Gordon. “He understands that strong systems and trusted relationships are both essential to supporting employees and improving outcomes for students. We are pleased to welcome him to SCOE, and we are deeply grateful to Darrien for her leadership and service.” 

Pope joins SCOE from Twin Rivers Unified School District, where he most recently served as Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations. In that position, he helped direct districtwide labor and employee relations, collective bargaining, certificated and classified recruitment and retention, administrator training, workplace investigations and compliance with employment law, Education Code, Board policy and negotiated agreements.

He previously served as the Twin Rivers Director of Title IX and Compliance, coordinating investigations, supportive measures, staff training, and the district’s response to complaints involving students and employees.

Before entering district-level human resources administration, Pope spent 12 years as a school-site administrator, having served as principal of Ridgepoint K–8 School from 2019 to 2022 and principal of Kohler PK–8 School from 2012 to 2019. He began his administrative career as vice principal of Foothill Farms Junior High School and Foothill Ranch Middle School, where he helped lead the transition from one school program to another and supported the development of a new faculty and school culture.

“My vision is to create the conditions where people, partnerships and systems work together to expand opportunity and improve outcomes for every learner,” Pope said. “I look forward to listening, building relationships and working alongside SCOE employees to strengthen the organization’s support for students, schools and communities.”  

Pope earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in organizational studies from the University of California, Davis, and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from California State University, Sacramento. He holds an Administrative Services Credential from National University and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Sacramento State.