Levi Bachmeier
Levi Bachmeier | |
|---|---|
| 20th North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
| Assumed office November 24, 2025 | |
| Governor | Kelly Armstrong |
| Preceded by | Kirsten Baesler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | West Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Rachel Baughman (since 2019) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Concordia College (BA) |
Levi Bachmeier is the North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction, a position he has held since November 24, 2025, after being appointed by Governor Kelly Armstrong to the fill the vacancy caused by Kirsten Baesler's federal appointment.
Education & career
A native of West Fargo, North Dakota, Bachmeier received his bachelor's degree in social studies education from Concordia College in 2014. Bachmeier then taught at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota for two years before becoming the Director of Advance and Operations for Doug Burgum's 2016 gubernatorial campaign and later becoming an education policy advisor for Governor Burgum.[1][2]
In 2019, Bachmeier was hired as the Business Manager for the West Fargo Public Schools district, a position he held till becoming superintendent.[3] In 2024, Bachmeier was selected by Burgum to be on the State Board of Public School Education.[4] And the following year, Bachmeier was one of two selected by newly elected governor Kelly Armstrong to be on the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.[5]
Superintendent of Public Instruction
On October 21, 2025, governor Armstrong announced his intention to appoint Bachmeier to be the 20th North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction, replacing incumbent Kirsten Baesler as she was confirmed by the senate for a federal position.[6][2][7] Due to the 2025 United States government shutdown, Baesler could not be sworn into her federal position, and so Bachmeier would have to wait before entering office.[8] Bachmeier would take office on November 24, 2025.[9]
The position will be up for special election in 2026, and again in the regularly scheduled 2028 election.[10] The superintendent's office is a nonpartisan position, but candidates can seek political party endorsement. Bachmeier has described himself as a conservative but has stated he isn't fully sure if he would run for any party endorsement.[11] However, he stated he does intend to run in 2026 to complete the term.[12]
During his appointment announcement, Bachmeier stated coming into the position that he believed education policy and politics were becoming "tribal" and that he believed "common sense, hard work, and high expectations" could fix the growing issues and distrust in education.[13]
Before taking office, Bachmeier signaled his support for a plan weighed by the higher education board to reduce the number of credit hours required for a bachelor's degree at state colleges down from 120 to 90 hours. However, he also stated he was in support of attaching something reminiscent of a "warning label" to these degrees.[14] After taking office, Baachmeier stated his intention to visit every school district in the state.[15]
Personal life
Bachmeier has been married to his wife, Rachel, since 2019. She is the Dean of Students at West Fargo High School.[16] The couple have two children.[17]
References
- ^ "From Teaching to Policy Advising". Concordia College. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ a b Mendoza, Sebastian (October 21, 2025). "Levi Bachmeier named North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction". KX News. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Service, Forum News; article, John Hageman Share Share this (August 26, 2019). "Burgum's policy director hired as West Fargo Public Schools business manager". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Reporter, The; Reported, Or; this?, verified from knowledgeable sources The Trust Project What is (May 21, 2024). "West Fargo schools business manager, Westhope woman chosen for North Dakota public education board". InForum. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Reporter, The; Reported, Or; this?, verified from knowledgeable sources The Trust Project What is (February 7, 2025). "West Fargoan appointed to North Dakota's State Board of Higher Education". InForum. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "Armstrong appoints Levi Bachmeier to serve as next North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction". North Dakota Office of the Governor. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Falat, Bobby (October 21, 2025). "Gov. Armstrong appoints West Fargo native as next superintendent of public instruction". Valley News Live. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Armstrong taps West Fargo School District business manager to lead ND schools". The Flag - AM 1100 and FM 92.3 WZFG. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ https://www.wahpetondailynews.com/news/levi-bachmeier-takes-office-as-north-dakota-s-new-state-school-superintendent/article_09f0904c-0987-4aeb-8c75-ce8d5e22af3f.html
- ^ Voorhees, Alison (October 21, 2025). "Gov. Armstrong announces North Dakota's next Superintendent of Public Instruction". KVRR Local News. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ ideas, Rob Port Comments Share Share this article Opinion Opinion Advocates for; Facts, Draws Conclusions Based on the Interpretation of; this?, data The Trust Project What is (October 22, 2025). "Plain Talk: 'The politics will take care of itself'". InForum. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ https://www.willistonherald.com/news/bachmeier-says-hell-visit-every-nd-school-district/article_1db8d270-659d-482f-9901-4388fbcf7753.html
- ^ Thompson, Dave (October 22, 2025). "Bachmeier named new DPI superintendent". Prairie Public. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Achterling, Michael (October 30, 2025). "North Dakota weighs allowing reduced credit bachelor's degrees at state colleges • North Dakota Monitor". North Dakota Monitor. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ https://www.willistonherald.com/news/bachmeier-says-hell-visit-every-nd-school-district/article_1db8d270-659d-482f-9901-4388fbcf7753.html
- ^ "Baughman-Bachmeier". InForum. June 1, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Reporter, The; Reported, Or; this?, verified from knowledgeable sources The Trust Project What is (October 25, 2025). "How common is it for statewide officials not to reside in Bismarck?". InForum. Retrieved November 12, 2025.