After more than three decades of servant leadership, Ruth Coppens, longtime Board President of Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD), concluded her service on the Saginaw ISD Board of Education following the June 2025 election. Coppens first joined the Saginaw ISD Board of Education in 1989, bringing with her more than 13 years of experience from the Merrill Community School District’s Board of Education, where she made history as the district’s first female trustee.
What began with a simple concern about playground safety in Merrill evolved into a legacy of advocacy that spanned nearly five decades. “My journey started as a parent volunteer,” Ruth once shared. “After that first board meeting, I realized the difference school boards could make. It’s been a privilege to be part of something bigger than myself.”
Throughout her tenure, Coppens helped lead Saginaw ISD through pivotal moments: the capital build of the Transitions Center in 2000 and two subsequent renovations, the relocation of central offices from Gratiot to Transitions Campus, the REMC9 mobile van initiative, and countless expansions of services for local districts. She stood firm during economic downturns and pushed forward during uncertain times like the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her advocacy contributed to the successful passage of both Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Special Education millages—efforts that took years of persistence before ultimately succeeding.
“She brought both history and heart to every decision,” said Dr. Katherine Ellison, current Board Vice President. “Ruth never forgot where we came from as an organization, but she also had a forward-thinking vision for where we could go. Her guidance helped us grow with purpose.”
Ruth was also a leading voice in Michigan’s anti-voucher campaign and played an integral role in acquiring significant state and federal grants to support innovative programming, at one point celebrating a milestone of $1 million in grants secured during her first term. She championed additions at Hartley Outdoor Education Center, supported projects that aligned with curriculum standards, and helped guide the district’s involvement in the Marshall Plan for Talent through CTE. Most recently, she presided over the groundbreaking of Millet Learning Center’s inclusive playground and contributed to the development of the Strategic Compass, a multi-year roadmap for Saginaw ISD’s continued progress.
Reflecting on her tenure, Coppens shared, “I’m incredibly proud of how we represent and serve our students and staff. At every conference, I felt proud to stand beside our team and say, ‘This is Saginaw ISD.’ We’ve built a strong foundation, and I’m hopeful for what’s ahead, especially the future of Jerome Preschool and the work to come under Dr. Collier’s leadership.”
Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Collier described Ruth as a steady, principled voice in the boardroom and a passionate advocate for equitable education. “Ruth is the kind of leader every superintendent hopes to work with. Her depth of experience, commitment to service, and relentless focus on students helped make Saginaw ISD what it is today,” he said. “We will lead forward and expand possibilities for students based on the example she has steadfastly modeled.”
Though she never sought recognition, Ruth Coppens’ impact is undeniable. She helped shape policy, culture, and opportunity for thousands of students across Saginaw County, and did so with humility, strength, and a deep sense of purpose. As she closes this chapter of service, Saginaw ISD thanks Ruth Coppens for her decades of leadership and wishes her the very best in what comes next.
ABOUT SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, four public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky - Saginaw ISD Chief of Staff and Communications Director