Kirsten Baesler Superintendent of Public Instruction at North Dakota | North Dakota State Board of Education
Kirsten Baesler Superintendent of Public Instruction at North Dakota | North Dakota State Board of Education
Gov. Kelly Armstrong has congratulated Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota's Superintendent of Public Instruction, following her confirmation by the U.S. Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education.
“Congratulations to Superintendent Baesler on her confirmation to this important role at the U.S. Department of Education. It’s a major win for North Dakota and the entire country when we send common-sense leaders like Superintendent Baesler to Washington – leaders who understand that students and families are best served when we empower decision-making at the local level with guidance from the state and limited involvement from the federal government. We wish her success in D.C. and look forward to a smooth transition to new leadership at the Department of Public Instruction,” Armstrong said.
Baesler was nominated for the federal post in February by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and President Donald Trump. She has led North Dakota’s Department of Public Instruction since January 2013 and was re-elected in November 2024 for another four-year term. Armstrong will appoint an interim superintendent until a new one is elected during the next general election in November 2026.
Before becoming state superintendent, Baesler worked for 24 years in Bismarck Public Schools, holding roles including classroom teacher, instructional aide, library media specialist, and vice principal. She also spent nine years serving on the Mandan School Board.
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