North Dakota School Boards Association - NDSBA

10/30/2025

🍎Free & Reduced-Price School Meals Will Continue Despite Possible SNAP Funding Pause

North Dakota students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals will continue receiving them for the remainder of the school year, even if federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are paused due to the ongoing government shutdown.

While SNAP, commonly known as “food stamps”, helps low-income families buy groceries, school meal programs are funded and administered separately by NDDPI on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

NDDPI also administers several other food programs available to North Dakotans:
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) – Offered through local food pantries and soup kitchens.
- The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) – Available for low-income households with at least one member age 60 or older.
- The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) – Provides USDA foods to eligible Native households.

Melissa Anderson, NDDPI’s assistant director of child nutrition and food distribution, noted that if SNAP funds are paused, these programs may see increased demand as more families seek local assistance.

Read more -> https://www.nd.gov/dpi/news/baesler-snap-money-halt-wont-affect-school-meals

10/30/2025

10/30/2025

https://www.kxnet.com/news/state-news/nd-students-meals-assured/

BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) – North Dakota students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals will continue receiving them despite a possible suspension of federal food assistance, State School Su…

10/30/2025

The McLean County Independent highlights our urging need for bus drivers. Please take the time to read the article attached from Stu Merry. Thank you.

10/30/2025

https://northdakotamonitor.com/briefs/university-partnership-targets-pharmacist-vacancies-in-north-dakota/

An agreement between North Dakota State University and Dickinson State University aims to fill the need for pharmacists in the western part of the state.

10/30/2025

10/29/2025

https://northdakotamonitor.com/briefs/applicants-sought-for-seat-on-north-dakota-state-board-of-higher-education/

The State Board of Higher Education is seeking applications to fill a pending vacancy left by Levi Bachmeier, who was appointed to be the next superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction.

10/29/2025

📢 Upcoming Webinar
Building Stronger Schools: Through Caring and Consistent Discipline

🗓 November 19, 2025
🕛 Noon – 1:00 p.m. (EST)

Discipline policies shape school culture, equity, and student success. This session, led by Stephanie Long, Chief Student Support Officer for Pinellas County Schools (FL), will explore progressive approaches to discipline that move beyond punitive models toward systems that build accountability, strengthen relationships, and support long-term growth.

✅ Learn how tiered interventions, restorative practices, and consistent expectations can create stronger, safer, and more inclusive schools.

🔗 Register now: cossba.org/webinar-series

10/29/2025

Does your school/district offer foreign language instruction in grades K-3?

The Foreign Language Pilot Program, as outlined in SB 2275, supports foreign language instruction in grades K–3. The goal of this program is to explore early foreign language programming and report findings to shape future initiatives.

🏫 Up to $2,500 per school/year is available for selected schools or districts.

💲 How you can use funds:
- Hiring or supplementing salaries of foreign language teachers (stipends)
- Purchasing curriculum and instructional materials
- Covering other program-related costs

📘 Priority will be given to applications that clearly outline:
- A narrative use of funds & program plan
- The amount requested
- The language instruction to be provided

🔗 Learn more and apply here: https://www.nd.gov/dpi/foreign-language-pilot-program

10/29/2025

Now Accepting Applications: Board of Public School Education Vacancy

State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler invites North Dakotans from Barnes, Cass, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Steele, or Traill counties to apply for an open seat on the Board of Public School Education, which oversees K-12 and career and technical education across the state.

This position will fill the remainder of a six-year term ending June 30, 2030. Applicants must be North Dakota residents who are eligible to vote.

🕔 Application deadline: Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. CST
💻 Apply online: https://rebrand.ly/nd-boards
🔗 Learn more about the board: https://rebrand.ly/k-12-career-tech-board

The board plays a vital role in:
✅ Overseeing school district reorganizations and boundary changes
✅ Supporting North Dakota’s regional education associations and the K-12 Education Coordination Council
✅ Partnering with the Board of Career and Technical Education to guide statewide programs

If you live in one of the eligible counties and want to make a difference in North Dakota education, we encourage you to apply!

10/29/2025

The future of learning is being shaped by AI.
👉 The AI in Education Track explores artificial intelligence’s transformative potential in creating equitable and inclusive educational environments.
✨ Attendees will gain a balanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges AI presents in today’s schools.

📅 March 13–15, 2026 | Louisville, KY

10/29/2025

North Dakota Law requires school boards to complete a formative evaluation of superintendents on or before November 15 (NDCC 15.1-14-03). This evaluation must take place at an open public meeting.

One purpose of the November evaluation is to highlight areas of performance in need of improvement and provide a timeline for expected enhanced performance. The law regarding superintendent evaluations states that if the superintendent is found to be unsatisfactory in any area, the board shall detail its findings in the report and make recommendations. This process allows an opportunity for professional growth before the superintendent's formal evaluation, which must be completed on or before March 15.

Superintendent Evaluation resources are available to association members on the NDSBA website under Resources.