Education

Concordia cuts expenses in face of $2 million budget shortfall

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Concordia College is cutting its operating expenses in response to a projected $2 million budget deficit. The college says the deficit is associated with a national decline in enrollment. A Concordia spokesperson says departments have been directed to cut 5% of their operating expenses. “Concordia is not immune to the challenges facing higher education. We are…

Book Vending Machine Big Hit at Local Elementary School

Dorothy Dodds staff say they installed the machine two years ago and student interest has never waned.

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Dorothy Dodds Elementary School in Moorhead has taken a unique approach to getting kids excited about reading. Two years ago, the school installed Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine. The machine runs on special tokens that are given to the kids on their birthday – or half-birthday, for those born in the summer. They can also earn additional…

Gov. Armstrong signs ‘Bell to Bell’ school phone bill

(Gov. Kelly Armstrong signs bill requiring that students not use their phones during the school day.)BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – Gov. Kelly Armstrong said Friday as he signed a bill requiring K-12 public schools in North Dakota to adopt phone-free school policies that it may be the most impactful legislation of this session. The house bill requires all personal electronic communication…

North Dakota House kills final Education Savings Account bill of session

Rep. Ben Koppelman, left, R-West Fargo, asks a question to Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, on the House floor on April 24, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota House overwhelmingly rejected an Education Savings Account bill Thursday night, a day after the governor vetoed a similar bill. House members voted 78-14 against Senate Bill 2400, which…

Fargo School Board Votes To Remove “Philosophies” From District Website Over Trump Executive Orders

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Concerns over a loss of federal funding due to President Trump’s executive orders had Fargo School Board voting to remove its philosophies from the district’s website. They voted 7-2 to “sunset” philosophies recognizing students with disabilities and rights of LGBTQ+ students. The issue was brought forward by school district attorney Tara Brandner. She said not complying…

Japanese Crafts at the Plains Art Museum

Families were invited to participate in the creation of their own torn paper collages.

FARGO, N.D. – Families got a taste of Japanese culture this weekend at Plains Art Museum in Fargo. The museum hosted an event sponsored by the Japan Outreach Initiative, or JOI. It taught kids and their parents how to make art in the style of Chigiri-e, which is torn paper collage. Participants created unique artwork using textured paper and vibrant…

Conversation Corner Helps Non-Native English Speakers With Language Skills

Polyglot Monique Ammi offers the free service in the hopes it will make people more comfortable in conversation.

MOORHEAD, MN – If you’re a non-native English speaker looking to increase your conversational skills, Moorhead Public Library has just the service for you. Their “Conversation Corner” takes place every Saturday from 3:00 to 4:30 P.M. Facilitator Monique Ammi has a long history in English as a second language instruction. She prints out reference sheets on common topics like food…

Dr. Gandhi Wants An Earlier Out As Fargo Public Schools Superintendent

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — Fargo Public Schools Superintendent Rupak Gandhi has informed the school board he would like to leave the district earlier than originally planned. Gandhi has requested his last day as superintendent be moved from June 30 to June 5. Gandhi told school board president Katie Mineer his personal schedule would require him to take time off in…

Tribes, North Dakota partner to update 30-year-old textbooks on Native history

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Revised textbooks on the five Native American tribes that share land with North Dakota will be ready in time for next school year. For about three decades, the books went without updates due to a lack of funding, said Lucy Fredericks, director of Indian and multicultural education for the North Dakota Department of Public…

LIVE: Percussion Profusion at Concordia College

MOORHEAD –It’s a profusion of percussion at Concordia College, and you’re invited. Thousands of local third graders got a taste today of the annual Percussion Day celebration. It features performances and masterclasses, and then on Saturday, the daytime events are free and open to the public. It all wraps up with a performance from Twincussion, a pair of identical percussion-playing…