North Dakota State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler Sails To Third Term With 59 Percent Of Vote

North Dakota State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler Sails to Third Term With 59 Percent of Vote

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Kirsten Baesler, the State Superintendent of North Dakota, emerged victorious for the third time as she was reelected to oversee the education of approximately 120,000 students. It is worth noting that North Dakota has one of the lowest state enrollments in the entire country.

Baesler, aged 51, secured around 59 percent of the votes, defeating her fellow Republican candidate, Brandt Dick, the superintendent of the Underwood school district, which has an enrollment of 200 students. Baesler was widely expected to win, having received 54 percent of the vote in the previous nonpartisan primary, a figure more than double that of Dick’s 26 percent.

Before assuming the position of superintendent of public instruction in 2013, Baesler worked as a classroom aide and teacher. In addition, she served on the board of the Mandan school district, which consists of 4,000 students, for nine years prior to her election as state superintendent in 2012.

The campaign saw some controversy, primarily stemming from Baesler’s arrest for DUI (driving under the influence) in February, and Dick’s challenge to her qualifications for the role of superintendent. Baesler holds a teaching license in North Dakota but lacks an administrative license, a fact that Dick argued would prevent her from assuming the position of principal or superintendent in any district.

Since 2007, state law has allowed individuals without an administrative license to serve as state superintendent.

During their debate on October 16, the two candidates expressed similar policy views and mainly differed in their approaches. Both advocated for the return of students to physical schools, emphasizing the drawbacks of remote learning due to COVID-19. They agreed that local districts should have the authority to decide when and how to bring students back. However, Dick asserted that he supported local control before Baesler did, highlighting the importance of finding practical solutions to facilitate to in-person learning. Baesler, on the other hand, emphasized the necessity of reopening schools safely, in consultation with health officials.

Another shared concern between the candidates was the challenge faced by students who are learning remotely while their parents work. Baesler commended the collaboration between churches and nonprofits in establishing learning centers, which provide safe environments for students to attend online classes during the day. However, Dick pointed out the lack of such resources in rural areas and emphasized the need for additional support to address this issue.

Their disagreement arose regarding the allocation of the over $30 million provided by the state to schools for pandemic-related expenses. Dick proposed that the extra funds should be available for districts to utilize as needed, while Baesler expressed no objections to the existing restrictions that require the money to be dedicated to staffing needs arising from the pandemic, such as hiring new employees or providing overtime for existing ones.

Furthermore, they had differing perspectives on the biggest challenge confronting schools today. Baesler highlighted the rapid changes in the world and the economy, emphasizing the role of teachers in fostering curiosity and adaptability among students. Dick, in contrast, classified COVID-19 and its impact on students as the primary challenge that needs to be addressed before tackling other issues.

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