Levi Bachmeier, North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO/Prairie Public) – North Dakota’s new Superintendent of Public Instruction says he plans to visit every public school district in the state.
Levi Bachmeier served as business manager of the West Fargo School District since 2019. He was appointed by Governor Kelly Armstrong to the state position in October. Bachmeier took the reins at DPI after Kirsten Baesler joined the federal Department of Education.
“It’s important to recognize where do the best ideas in education come from. And I’m a big believer that they occur in our communities and in our classrooms where students are learning and teachers are teaching and the discussions about what’s best for kids are being had,” Bachmeier explained. “I always like to get as close to the problem or the opportunity as possible.”
He says the realities facing education could be very different across the state.
“You can’t know unless you get out and you shake hands with people and you see great teaching that’s occurring. I want to make sure that I understand those opportunities and challenges for each of our districts so when speaking with legislators or having to make a decision in the department that I’m grounded in what’s actually happening out in our classrooms to make the best possible decision for our students.”
Bachmeier will start with a visit to Marmarth, in southwestern North Dakota.
A native of West Fargo, Bachmeier earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Concordia College in Moorhead. Prior to assuming the role of state superintendent, he resigned his seats on the Board of Public School Education, Career and Technical Education Board and State Board of Higher Education.
Bachmeier will have to run in 2026, and again in 2028, after serving out Baesler’s term. Superintendent of Public Instruction is a no-party office, meaning he can’t be endorsed by either political party, but could receive a letter of support from the parties.
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