Governor Doug Burgum expressed his gratitude today to the members of the North Dakota Teacher Retention and Recruitment Task Force for their dedicated efforts in developing recommendations to support the education workforce. The task force’s final report is now available for review.
Established through Executive Order 2023-08, the task force was created following an emergency request from the Education Standards and Practices Board, approved on August 8, 2023. The 15-member panel was charged with developing policy recommendations and identifying best practices to retain and recruit teachers. Over the past year, the task force convened four times and gathered input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, and school board members.
“The task force’s final report reflects a commitment to the teaching profession by recognizing the expertise, passion, and dedication of our educators, as well as the experiences shared by task force members,” Burgum said.
The task force put forth seven key recommendations, which will be presented to Burgum and state lawmakers for consideration during the upcoming budgeting process and the next legislative session beginning in January. The recommendations include:
1. Providing a safe and supportive environment for educators and learners in every building.
2. Reducing barriers for schools seeking to provide child care.
3. Understanding the importance of a supportive school culture.
4. Funding mentorship programs for educators and administrators.
5. Supporting pathways into the teaching profession.
6. Maximizing benefits for educators.
7. Optimizing educator earnings.
The task force is comprised of Governor Burgum, State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler or their designees, and 13 members appointed by the governor, representing a broad cross-section of the education community. Notable members include:
– State Representative Steve Swiontek (Fargo)
– State Senator Dean Rummel (Dickinson)
– Patti Stedman, West Fargo School Board member
– Bret Dockter, teacher at Harvey Public Schools
– Ashley Seykora, instructional coach at Rugby Public Schools
– Abby DuBord, teacher at Bismarck Public Schools
– Luke Schaefer, CEO of the Central Regional Education Association
– Robert Lech, superintendent of Jamestown Public Schools
– John Porter, executive director of the South East Education Cooperative
– James Green, principal at McKenzie County Public Schools
– Sherry Tandeski, principal at St. John Public Schools
– Jenny Bladow, director of teacher education at the University of North Dakota
– Erin Jacobson, coordinator of the Teacher Support System.
The recommendations aim to strengthen North Dakota’s educational framework and enhance the support provided to teachers, ultimately fostering a more sustainable and effective teaching workforce.
