The State Superintendent has an obligation to our students to ensure compliance with education law and work with schools to improve student learning and academic outcomes. With high expectations, no partisan agendas, and a back to basics focus, North Dakota can lead the nation with America's best schools. We already have some of the highest test scores in the country compared to other states. We can go from good to great and be number one. Our students deserve nothing less.

Too many classrooms, especially in rural areas, are empty because of no applicants. Legislators have been investing a smaller percentage of the state's budget in funding meant for teacher pay over the past decade. This is wrong. We do not need to raise taxes to better prioritize students by ensuring they have access to quality teachers. State government needs to follow the same back to basics agenda as our schools- funding priorities like K-12 education and ensuring schools have teachers.

As a high school government teacher, I'm a constitutionalist. Our state constitution mandates a "system of public schools which shall be open to all children of the state of North Dakota and free from sectarian control." Any organization receiving taxpayer funds must be publicly accountable: serving all students (regardless of background or disability status), transparently disclosing spending information for taxpayer oversight, and adhering to the laws of North Dakota governing education.

The number of federal employees working in the Department of Education has absolutely no impact on the quality of education in North Dakota. We need to further cut red tape and get resources meant for education into our classrooms; our teachers and parents know better than any Washington DC bureaucrat about what our students need. Especially for our rural schools that don't have employees dedicated to reporting and compliance, federal resources need to be easier to access.

The educators in front of our students must be capable- teacher quality is the number one predictor of student learning. There can be many ways of demonstrating competence. Much like we must work to better personalize education for students, we must have numerous rigorous pathways into the teaching profession. I've lived this, having gone through both a traditional and alternative licensure path when becoming a teacher. What matters most is a high bar to clear, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

The State Superintendent is responsible for overseeing school performance, ensuring state and federal requirements are met, and helping schools use data to improve learning. They are also responsible to provide accurate data and honest feedback to policymakers when assessment laws or accountability systems need to be updated. We must ask if the time and resources we devote to standardized testing is helping or hindering real learning?

The State Superintendent has a responsibility to help identify the root causes of why teachers are leaving the profession and why fewer people are entering it. By approaching this as a statewide issue, we can uncover trends that individual districts may not see on their own and use that information to develop meaningful, evidence-based solutions. They can support districts by gathering accurate data, elevating educator voices, and working with the stakeholders to develop real solutions.

Public dollars should be used for public schools. It is the legislature’s job to determine how public funds are spent, but it is the State Superintendent’s job to fight for a fully funded public education system. Public education ensures that every child, regardless of background, income, or location, has the opportunity to learn and succeed. Public education has a high return on investment through stronger communities, economic growth, and reduced long-term social costs.

They are concerning. While reviewing operations for efficiency is always wise, it was not done in a thoughtful manner. The Department of Education plays an important role in promoting consistency, fairness, and access across states. Any reductions that limit the department’s ability to administer programs or provide timely support can impact students who rely on federal services. We need to advocate for the resources our schools and families depend on.

It may not be ideal, but with our current retention and recruitment issues it is necessary. Many of the individuals who step into these roles bring valuable life experiences and, with the right support and mentoring, they can truly thrive. When we solve the recruitment and retention crisis, the need for emergency measures will naturally decrease. My focus would be on building a system where every classroom can be staffed by a well-prepared, supported, credentialed teacher.