Education

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…

North Dakota Senate approves bathroom bill that would fine schools for noncompliance

Rep. Bill Tveit, R-Hazen, speaks during a Jan. 27, 2025, committee hearing on a bill to enforce school compliance with a law barring transgender students from using restrooms that align with their genders. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) The North Dakota Senate voted 40-7 on Thursday to pass a bill that prevents K-12 public schools from having…

North Dakota Public Charter Schools Bill Passes House, Heads Back to Senate

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — A bill to establish public charter schools in North Dakota has passed the House on a 64-29 vote. These schools would be under the same regulations as public schools, but operate outside the school district and be administered by their own internal governing boards. The sponsor says some rural schools at risk of closing could reorganize…

Several Fargo Public Schools May Be Decommissioned In The Next Ten Years

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Some Fargo neighborhoods are facing the possibility of losing three elementary schools and a middle school under what’s being called a “Community Driven Redevelopment Plan.” The project was approved last year to address concerns for some of the district’s aging and inadequate school buildings. “The buildings themselves obviously need a great deal of work; they are…