Task force adopts recommendations to better recruit, retain teachers

Abby DuBord, left, a Bismarck teacher, speaks next to Sherry Tandeski, principal of St. John Elementary, during a meeting of the North Dakota Teacher Retention and Recruitment Task Force on Aug. 28, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Reducing barriers for on-site child care, funding a mentorship program for new teachers and maximizing benefits are among recommendations adopted Wednesday by a group working to address North Dakota’s teacher shortage.

The work of the Teacher Retention and Recruitment Task Force will be forwarded to Gov. Doug Burgum, who will present a state budget recommendation ahead of the 2025 legislative session.

“A lot of our heavy-hitting problems were addressed and now it’s up to the governor and legislative session to see where we go from here,” said Abby DuBord, a 2023 North Dakota Teacher of the Year finalist from Bismarck.

During the group’s final meeting on Wednesday, the task force approved nine recommendations to combat the state’s teacher workforce issues. Seven of the measures received unanimous support from the group made up of teachers, administrators, school board, education associations, lawmakers, a representative from the governor’s office and Superintendent Kirsten Baesler.

One proposal is to annually survey school employees to understand their job satisfaction.

Another recommendation relates to providing a safe and supportive environment for educators and learners in every building. During previous work sessions, teachers emphasized the need for more mental health and social work resources in schools to address the needs of students.

DuBord, one of the task force members, said it can be overwhelming trying to solve all the problems in a career field, but she thinks the final recommendations will begin to address concerns of educators.

North Dakota teachers leaving profession earlier

“There is always work to do, but I do feel like teachers’ voices were represented here,” DuBord said.

She also said she believes the recommendations will help elevate the profession and inspire new educators. She highlighted recommendations focused on increasing teacher leadership opportunities, supporting new teachers through continued mentorship during the first years in their career and better collaboration with organizations and other agencies are all things that will elevate the profession.

The task force met six times and divided its recommendations into three categories: working environment, professional value, and support and flexible funding.

The task force also recommended the Legislature study the effects of grouping the health insurance of teachers into a statewide pool for potential cost savings that could then be used for potential wage increases. Members also want to study teacher compensation structures to maximize their lifetime earnings and give them higher salary levels earlier in their careers.

“It is a little nerve-racking as a teacher when you hear things might change, but I do think one of the best things we can do is to look into options,” DuBord said. “These are studies and options to pursue and to get information on, but nothing has been recommended to go in that direction, officially.”

Baesler said the variety of stakeholders had open discussions and focused on finding a solutions-oriented approach.

“We are done admiring the problem and now we’re able to focus on solutions,” Baesler said. “Obviously, the nearly unanimous vote on all of the issues really demonstrates that the process of conversation and the work that was done since the task force convened was productive.”

Nick Archuleta, president of North Dakota United, which represents teachers and public employees in the state, said the recommendations from the task force are important steps, but he’s looking forward to seeing how Burgum prioritizes those points into his state budget.

“One of the things that I think is going to be interesting is when they start talking about changing how teachers are compensated,” Archuleta said. “That is really going to be an eye-opener and I think we want to make sure as they go forward that we don’t see any teacher going backward.”

The Hunt Institute, which helped facilitate the meetings, will compile the task force’s official report for Burgum by Sept. 30. Burgum also directed the task force to identify partners in the Legislature to sponsor legislation in the 2025 session.

DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX