Bismarck, ND – Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Tracy Foss weighed in Wednesday on a newly announced proposal for annual teacher bonuses, stating her support for the initiative as a temporary fix but emphasizing it does not resolve deeper, systemic issues within North Dakota's education and teacher retention landscape.
Foss's comments came in response to a plan introduced earlier this week by incumbent Superintendent Levi Bachmeier and Republican lawmakers. This proposal, which lawmakers intend to introduce during the 2027 legislative session, would establish annual bonuses for both public and private school teachers. The funding for these bonuses would come from a portion of the earnings generated by the Common Schools Trust Fund, with the stated goal of improving teacher recruitment and retention across the state.
However, Foss, who has received support from the Democratic-NPL Party, asserted during a press conference that the bonus program on its own would not solve North Dakota’s persistent teacher retention problem. She described the shortage of teachers as a symptom of more profound issues embedded within the education system, which she believes are driving educators away from the profession and discouraging new individuals from choosing teaching as a career path.
Among the root causes, Foss identified teacher pay as a significant factor. Beyond compensation, she also highlighted teacher burnout and the increasing imposition of extra duties on educators as critical reasons why professionals are leaving the field. Foss contended that the proposed bonus system ultimately fails to address the larger, fundamental issue of fully funding the state’s public school system.
Emphasizing her perspective on state responsibility, Foss stated, "We need to fully fund public schools, and I do not want anything getting in the way of that responsibility." She suggested that focusing solely on bonuses might divert attention or resources from this crucial commitment.
Furthermore, Foss raised specific concerns regarding the eligibility criteria outlined in the bonus proposal. She pointed out that certain groups of educators would be excluded, including first-year teachers, those who took time off during the previous academic year, and individuals who pursued an alternative route to teaching. According to the proposal, teachers must be fully licensed and have completed a full teaching contract during the preceding school year to qualify for a bonus awarded in the fall.
Foss characterized the current bill as "just a Band-Aid to the teacher retention and recruitment problem and not a solution," underscoring her view that it offers superficial rather than comprehensive remedies. She also voiced her belief that private school teachers should not be eligible to receive bonuses funded by the state.
Looking ahead, Foss indicated that, if elected, she would actively collaborate with lawmakers to refine the proposed bill. Her stated goal is to address her concerns and modify the legislation before January, signaling an intent to pursue substantive changes to make the program more effective and equitable.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction position is a nonpartisan race, appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot. While Foss has publicly acknowledged support from the Democratic-NPL Party, Superintendent Bachmeier has identified himself as a Republican, providing a political context to the ongoing discussion about education policy in North Dakota.
