Chris Jundt, Williston Basin School Board member, reflects on time in public service

WILLISTON, N.D. (KUMV) - In the fall of 2019, Chris Jundt filed a recall petition against members of the Williams County School District 8 board, taking his first step into local government. His decision came during a time when both the urban Williston Public School District 1 and rural District 8 failed to pass bonds for new schools, and tensions were high over growing student enrollment and overcrowding.

In 2020, Jundt won a special election in District 8 and helped push for a reorganization of the two districts. His efforts were later rewarded when voters in both districts approved coming together.

“At the end of the day, I may have been the spark that spurred that to reality, but ultimately, through the entire process, it came down to the will of the people,” said Jundt.

Jundt became the board president when District 7 was formed in 2021, and his time has been anything but smooth. The district is on its third superintendent and third business manager as of today. It has also been under financial scrutiny, but auditors say they found no concerns of missing money.

“I think that the leadership that was chosen at any point in time over the past five-and-a-half years was appropriate for where the district was at that time,” said Jundt.

The Williston native also faced several political challenges, including in 2021, when he refused to resign after the Williston Education Association called for it over placing the superintendent on leave.

In 2023, Jundt survived a recall election that aimed to have him and other members removed from the board.

And in 2024, he relinquished his title as president but remained on the board.

“It’s a very rewarding experience being able to serve and see the impacts that we have throughout the district, but there’s also challenges and stress that come with that,” said Jundt.

Jundt says he feels it’s time to take a break, which is why he didn’t run again. He says the district is in a favorable spot following passage of an elementary school bond and with Superintendent Jason Germundson at the helm.

“I think we’ve gotten to a good point right now from an operational standpoint,” said Jundt.

He initially campaigned on bringing a new day to District 8, and that eventually brought two separate districts together. Whether people think it’s for the better or the worse, there’s no question that Chris Jundt made his mark in the history of public education in Williston.

Jundt’s last meeting with the board will be on June 23, when they canvass the results of the school board election.