Baesler says federal restructuring will not affect North Dakota school services or funding

State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler addressed the recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Education regarding an internal restructuring and new federal interagency agreements. Baesler clarified that these changes will not impact services or funding for North Dakota schools.

“This federal restructuring does not change anything for North Dakota schools,” Baesler said. “Federal funding remains. All protections remain. Accountability remains. This is an internal administrative change – not a change to programs, services, or expectations for our students, teachers, school districts, or families.”

Baesler explained that federal programs such as Title I, special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Indian education programs continue to be fully funded as required by law. She emphasized that Congress maintains control over these programs and no modifications have been made to federal law.

The restructuring involves shifting administrative responsibilities for certain programs to other federal agencies like the Departments of Labor, Interior, Health and Human Services, and State. However, the laws governing these programs, along with their funding and protections, remain unchanged.

Baesler highlighted that North Dakota has already used a similar approach by forming partnerships with state agencies to reduce redundant administrative tasks and improve service delivery to school districts. These efforts have also led to increased job satisfaction within the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction while saving taxpayer money.

She commented on how such changes affect educators: “Every time we reduce bureaucratic red tape, teachers gain more time with students. That is the goal. For years, educators have told us that mission creep and federal paperwork are taking time away from teaching. This restructuring is one step toward fixing that.”

Baesler advised schools in North Dakota to continue their current operations: “North Dakota schools should stay the course,” she said. “Your work continues uninterrupted, and nothing about this federal realignment changes the support or expectations you rely on today.”

Baesler is set to retire as state superintendent at 8 a.m. Monday and is expected to become assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education at the U.S. Department of Education soon after.