Relating to the powers and duties of center boards and the authority of a school board to pay a first-year signing bonus for teachers; and to declare an emergency.
Relating to the creation of a criminal offense for the misuse of education savings account funds and the establishment of the education savings account program; to amend and reenact section 15.1‑20‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to exceptions to compulsory school attendance; to provide a penalty; to provide an appropriation; and to provide a continuing appropriation.
SB 2234 appropriates $2 million from North Dakota's general fund for competitive grants to school districts to help high school students meet the state's "choice ready" framework. The bill requires school districts to apply with specific plans showing how grant funds will develop students' skills for postsecondary education, careers, or military service - directly affecting school districts and their high school students. Funds cannot cover general supplies or equipment but must support targeted experiences like career training or college preparation. The grants are intended for the 2025-2027 biennium and align with the state's goal of ensuring all students graduate prepared for life after high school.
HB 1510 creates new sections in North Dakota's state law requiring public school districts to provide financial planning resources for new teachers during their first year. It also mandates that school districts establish onsite child care options for teachers with children attending those schools. The bill includes a separate provision directing the legislature to conduct a management study on administrative practices. These changes directly affect new teachers and school districts across North Dakota.
SB 2341 would adopt the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists into North Dakota law, creating a new chapter in the state code. This compact allows school psychologists licensed in one participating state to practice in North Dakota without undergoing full re-licensure. The bill directly affects school psychologists moving between compact states and North Dakota's education licensing system. By joining the compact, North Dakota would align its licensure procedures with other participating states to streamline cross-state practice for school psychologists.
SB 2362 amends North Dakota's school accreditation rules to give public and nonpublic schools two accreditation choices: the state's defined process or nationally recognized accrediting organizations approved by the superintendent. The superintendent must establish a selection process involving education stakeholders (like school administrators and boards) and periodically review each option's effectiveness in improving student achievement. Schools can choose the option best matching their instructional goals, but all must meet state standards for education quality and provide measurable student outcome data. The law ensures accreditation directly supports state education goals while offering flexibility to schools.
HB 1179 would require North Dakota's public institutions of higher education to provide faculty members with at least a 12-month appointment 24 days of paid time off annually. It mandates institutions to track accrued time off, sets a limit of 30 days to carry over into the next year, and requires payment for unused time upon termination (capped at 54 days total). Institutions failing to implement this by August 1, 2025, would need to grant 54 days of paid time off to faculty by January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects faculty at all public colleges and universities governed by the state board of higher education.
SB 2263 allocates $500,000 for school districts to fund training grants focused on implementing "mastery frameworks" in education. This system requires students to master specific skills before advancing, and the bill provides grants for school district teams (including at least one administrator and, if available, an instructional coach) to develop and share these frameworks. Each team can receive up to $25,000 for staff stipends during dedicated training time (limited to ten days beyond regular contracts), with priority given to teams that have completed approved leadership training. The funding is one-time and intended for the 2025-2027 biennium, specifically to support schools in creating and scaling these instructional approaches across North Dakota.
SB 2030 allocates $10 million to North Dakota's Housing Finance Agency for homeless grants and $50,000 for a homelessness study during the 2025-2027 biennium. It also provides $1 million to the Department of Public Instruction for homelessness liaison services in the state's ten largest school districts, requiring each district to match state funds dollar-for-dollar. Additionally, the bill transfers $200 million to the Housing Incentive Fund and mandates a legislative study on homelessness to identify funding gaps and solutions. These provisions directly affect homeless individuals, school districts, and state agencies managing housing and education services.
SB 2355 would require North Dakota's public school science standards to include "intelligent design" as a "viable scientific theory" for all K-12 students by August 2027. The bill mandates the state superintendent to add it to curriculum standards, provide teachers with instructional materials supporting this view, and offer required training. The measure failed to pass in February 2025, receiving 22 votes in favor and 25 against. It directly affects science education content and teacher preparation in North Dakota public schools.
