In North Dakota, candidates for the Education Department's top job run as nonpartisan but they can seek endorsements from political parties. (Adobe Stock)

A new school year is still several weeks away but North Dakota voters are being asked to study up on the state’s K-12 system and the candidates running to lead it.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is one of several statewide offices up for grabs this fall. Longtime incumbent Kirsten Baesler is seeking reelection, with former state lawmaker Jason Heitkamp looking to unseat her. A candidate from the June primary, who had been pushing for Christian-based curriculum in public schools, failed to advance.

Chris Clark, assistant professor of teaching, leadership, and professional practice at the University of North Dakota, said it is eye-opening to see wedge issues find their way into such races.

“That is interesting to me, that it has gotten to the level where state education policy is being impacted,” Clark observed. “And it’s not just local schools having the authority to reject certain textbooks.”

While the candidate viewed as having an extreme platform is no longer in the race, Clark pointed out they were backed by the state Republican Party. He suggested it means some GOP lawmakers might have an appetite for similar school mandates, which the winner would be asked to implement. Clark encouraged voters to research the remaining candidates about what they would do to support students and teachers.

Despite national trends of divisive candidates seeking spots on school boards and in leadership posts, Clark feels North Dakota voters are not over-the-top in embracing the movement. Still, challenger Jason Heitkamp supports eliminating property taxes as a school funding source, which is a possible ballot question this fall. Clark stressed those are positions to which voters should pay attention.

“Eliminating local property taxes, while that might be very popular, also seems just like a way to cut school funding,” Clark asserted. “I think the prospect of further funding cuts, I think, are going to negatively impact a lot of communities across the state.”

For his part, Heitkamp said he wants to ensure the state would fully fund K-12 schools and teachers are paid accordingly. The incumbent Baesler does not back the property tax change but said she would push for stronger teacher pay without the need for higher taxes.