Candidates for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction, Levi Bachmeier and Tracy Foss, this week discussed key issues facing K-12 education, including teacher compensation, state funding for school districts, and the role of technology in classrooms. The debate, hosted by Plain Talk Podcast co-hosts Rob Port and Chad Oban, highlighted differing approaches to these challenges.
A significant point of discussion centered on addressing North Dakota’s teacher shortage. Superintendent Bachmeier, a former business manager for West Fargo Public Schools, detailed a proposal for annual teacher bonuses that he co-spearheaded with Rep. Mike Nathe, a Republican from Bismarck. Bachmeier stated that while financial incentives do not solve every problem, this initiative is a meaningful step to tackle what he believes is one of the biggest issues in North Dakota education: ensuring every student has a quality teacher. He cited feedback from high schoolers who identified teacher pay as a major deterrent to pursuing an education career, noting that North Dakota teachers earn approximately 20% less than individuals in other professions requiring a bachelor's degree. This bonus program would require approval from the 2027 Legislature.
Tracy Foss, a teacher with over two decades of classroom experience ranging from middle school to college students, acknowledged the bonus proposal as a start but emphasized that financial incentives alone are insufficient to curb the outflow of educators. Foss referenced a 2023 North Dakota United survey, which indicated that burnout and heavy workloads are significant contributors to teachers leaving the profession. She described the situation by saying, "Teachers’ plates aren’t overflowing; they are breaking." Foss also pointed out that the proposed bonus program might not ensure long-term financial stability. She noted that the average teacher wage in North Dakota is about $60,000, while the minimum living wage is $65,000, with starting pay around $45,000. Foss argued for sustained salary improvements that would bring teachers to a financially stable level, rather than relying solely on temporary bonuses.
Both candidates agreed that state funding for school districts has lagged in recent years. Bachmeier, who was appointed to the Superintendent role in October 2025, stated that the percentage of the state budget allocated to K-12 education has declined over several years. He explained that state support for schools has not kept pace with inflation, partly due to the expiration of one-time federal funding received during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bachmeier indicated that schools are now suffering from this reduction. Foss criticized the state for not having a better plan for when the federal funding would expire. She asserted that the state constitution mandates free public education and that inadequate state support leads to critical staffing shortages, such as for paraprofessionals and bus drivers. Foss added that teachers often spend approximately $1,000 annually of their own money on supplies, and insufficient funding forces local school districts to make difficult decisions, even impacting programs like music and art. She advocates for providing K-12 schools with enough state funding to cover the full range of services expected from a school, alleviating the need for annual tough choices by school boards and administrators.
The debate also touched upon the use of technology in classrooms. Following the 2025 legislative session's ban on cellphones in schools during the school day, lawmakers are expected to discuss other classroom technologies, like laptops and tablets, in the upcoming legislative session beginning in January. Foss supported the cellphone ban but observed that some students show signs of withdrawal from their personal devices. She emphasized the need to better educate parents and guardians about how these devices impact students' thought processes. Foss suggested any new laptop policy should strike a balance between educational benefits and the addictive nature of technology, and that limiting or prohibiting use for younger students should be considered.
Bachmeier also highlighted technology's potential to create addiction among young people. He noted a positive outcome of the cellphone ban, stating that school lunchrooms across North Dakota are once again filled with student interaction, with some even learning card games from teachers. However, Bachmeier cautioned against an outright ban on classroom technology, arguing it would be a disservice to students who will use these tools in higher education, military service, and the workforce. He advised lawmakers to consider reasonable guardrails when discussing future policies, ensuring a balance between local control over curriculum and addressing student health as a statewide wellness issue.
Bachmeier identifies as a Republican but did not seek a letter of support from the North Dakota Republican Party during the primary election. Foss, who is running in her first statewide election, received a letter of support from the Democratic-NPL Party during its state convention in March.
