New state school superintendent speaks on education policies

BISMARCK, N.D. (KUMV) - Incoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier shared some of his thoughts on current events in state education during his press conference on Tuesday.

He says he agreed with the governor when he vetoed a bill that would have created educational savings accounts earlier this year.

He argued it was too narrow and would welcome conversations on how to make sure all students get the best education.

“Nobody should be opposed to choice. It’s ‘is the policy promoting equal and fair choice for all?’ or is it benefiting a small subset of the population? That’s where I would draw the line and say where public dollars should start and where they should stop,” said Bachmeier.

Bachmeier also called charter schools centers for innovation. He says they can provide opportunities that can be replicated in public schools.

“Not only would that provide a great opportunity for all the kids who end up attending that school, I think there’s a lot of things we can continue to learn in the public school system,” said Bachmeier.

Bachmeier will assume the state superintendent’s role upon the resignation of current Superintendent Kirsten Baesler. She is moving on to become Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Education.

Bachmeier did not commit yet to running in 2026, but said an announcement may come soon.

The Superintendent role is a non-partisan seat.