Billings Public Schools Superintendent Jack Copps

Superintendent's Biography

Jack Copps has over forty-seven years experience as an educator in Montana. He began his career as a high school teacher in Poplar, Montana where he would later become the principal.  From Poplar, Jack moved on to be a high school principal in Lewistown.  In 1979 he moved to Helena to become the Director of Secondary Education.  He went on to serve as Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools in Helena. In 1989, Jack accepted the position of Montana State Deputy Superintendent of Schools. Before becoming Superintendent of Schools for Billings Public Schools, Jack served as the Executive Director for the Montana Quality Education Coalition (MQEC).  Jack holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Education degrees from Black Hills State University in South Dakota.  He completed additional requirements for administrative credentials at Montana State University. Jack is married and has 5 children.  

Superintendent's Message

 “Creating a Community of Significance” 

Since July 1, when I became the Superintendent of Billings Public Schools, I have been in the community listening to you. You've had plenty to say, and I want to say something in return. Thank you.

Seriously. You have expressed your thoughts directly and bluntly, and that's exactly what we in public schools need to hear: direct, honest communication about the expectations you have of your schools.

Let me also say you can expect the same from us. In fact, we have completely changed our website so that you would have greater access to the District, through the information that we have included here. We wanted to give you simple, direct answers to the questions we hear most often.

In the spirit of being open and direct, Billings is at a true crossroads; we all have to make some decisions about who we want to be as a community. On the positive side, we have many statewide and regional businesses headquartered here, medical facilities and staff ranked among the best in the nation, excellent institutions of higher learning, and a diverse, growing population. In other words, we have all the elements to become a true community of significance. And what does a community of that significance look like? It is a city that recognizes its strength lies in the sum of its parts; for us that means we value everything from the diversity of our south side to the loyalty of our Heights, from the wisdom of our elderly to the hope of our youth. All of it, together.

And that means involving all of us, together. It means, quite simply, voting. I appreciate each and every one of you who have said what you expect from your schools. But again, let's be frank: if you're not voting, you're not part of the solution. You're part of the problem. Your involvement helps position our entire community to be competitive. We have a choice whether we want to move Billings forward or to become stagnant. That choice is up to each of us.

We see examples everyday of students and staff that are excelling. We know Billings can become a community of significance and Billings Public Schools will do its part to make that happen. Let’s work toward a future for Billings that provides opportunities for all its citizens: quality healthcare, a proactive business climate, and, yes, top-notch educational resources. Let’s work together to build a community of significance.

Sincerely,

Jack Copps, Superintendent

Billings Public Schools

Contact Information

Jack Copps

415 N. 30th St.

Billings, MT 59101

Phone: (406) 247-3780

Fax: (406) 247-3882

Email: coppsj@billings.k12.mt.us

Nancy Coe, Executive Assistant

Phone: (406) 247-3781

Email: coen@billings.k12.mt.us