Where Bismarck candidates stand on schools and education

Student outcomes: For his 2026 campaign, Bachmeier described a “back to basics” approach emphasizing student outcomes, teacher support, family engagement, and high expectations. He also named keeping partisan politics out of classrooms and promoting parental rights and responsibilities among his priorities. (Valley News Live)

Teacher retention: His campaign announcement identified teacher recruitment and retention as priorities. (North Dakota Monitor)

School funding: In an October 2026 debate, Bachmeier said a proposed annual teacher-bonus program was a step toward addressing the teacher shortage. He also said the share of the state budget going to K–12 education had declined over recent years. (North Dakota Monitor)

School funding: Her campaign calls for fully funding schools, including legislative mandates, and supporting special education with adequate funding and implementation of IDEA. (Tracy Foss for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction)

Teacher retention: She says schools should listen to why teachers are leaving and support and respect teachers as professionals to help retain and recruit them. (Tracy Foss for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction)

Classroom technology: In an October 2026 debate, Foss called the proposed teacher-bonus plan “a start,” but said pay is not the only reason educators leave. She also said she supports locking up cellphones during the school day. (North Dakota Monitor)

School technology: Axtman said she is working on a 2027 bill to limit screen time on school-owned devices according to grade level, require parent notice of device policies, and provide parents an online portal to view children’s use. She described the goal as “tech as a tool, not a toy.” (KFGO)

No public statement found in our sources.

School choice: In the same 2026 profile, Cleary indicated support for school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools. (iVoterGuide 2026 candidate profile)

Jobs and education: His campaign says he will fight for good-paying jobs, high-quality education, and strong communities. (Cleary for State Senate)

No public statement found in our sources.

No public statement found in our sources.

Public schools: He says public schools should receive full funding, educators should be supported and appropriately paid, and students should be healthy, safe and provided healthy meals at school. (Jason Thoms campaign website, About)

No public statement found in our sources.

No public statement found in our sources.

Public schools: She said she wants to protect and strengthen public schools. (Bismarck-Mandan Leaders, candidate announcement)

No public statement found in our sources.

Schools and oversight: She says the state should address public-school education, the loss of family farms, challenges facing small businesses, and rural health services. She also calls for transparency and appropriate ethical oversight, including scrutiny of big money’s role in policymaking. (Bismarck Local, reporting information from Bismarck Mandan Leaders)

School choice: He supports school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools and homeschooling. (iVoterGuide 2026 candidate profile)

Education: She lists stronger public-education funding and expanded career and technical education pathways among her priorities. (Bismarck Local, reporting information from Bismarck Mandan Leaders)

Governance and education: He says governance should emphasize diplomacy over division, respect taxpayers, and value education that prepares young people for success. (Jon Lee for ND House District 47)

School meals: In 2026 coverage of the school-meal funding measure, Lee said putting the measure on the ballot was the wrong approach. (KX News)

No public statement found in our sources.

No public statement found in our sources.

No public statement found in our sources.