Baesler: North Dakota GOP out of touch with voters on education – Grand Forks Herald

In a surprising turn of events at the recent state convention, Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler criticized the North Dakota Republican Party for being out of touch on education. Baesler, who is running for re-election without the official support of the NDGOP for the first time, expressed her concerns about the party’s focus on ideological issues that she believes do not directly impact teachers and students.

The NDGOP delegates overwhelmingly voted to support political newcomer Jim Bartlett, who is running on a far-right platform that includes advocating for putting the Ten Commandments in public schools. Baesler, on the other hand, emphasized the need for more support for teachers, students, and parents from the Department of Public Instruction.

Despite facing three challengers in the upcoming election, Baesler remains confident in her track record as superintendent. She highlighted her achievements, such as establishing a teacher apprenticeship program and reducing the size of the Department of Public Instruction. Baesler also emphasized the importance of local control over education funding, opposing the movement to eliminate property taxes based on property value.

While Baesler aligns with the state GOP on the issue of school choice, she remains cautious about certain proposals that could impact public education funding. As the race for superintendent heats up, Baesler’s focus remains on advocating for a more customized school experience for students to better prepare them for their future paths after high school.