U.S. Senate Confirms Baesler as Assistant Secretary of Education
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota’s state superintendent of public instruction, to serve as assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education in the U.S. Department of Education.
President Donald J. Trump nominated Baesler for the position in February. In her new role, Baesler will oversee the federal office responsible for shaping and supporting K-12 education policy across the United States.
“I am honored, humbled, and incredibly excited to have received this final vote of confidence from the U.S. Senate,” Baesler said. “I am especially grateful to North Dakota Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer for their support, their leadership, and their commitment to ensuring that the confirmation process moved forward for nominees committed to public service.”
Reminder: Federal Funds and Membership Costs
The U.S. Department of Education (USED) recently issued a reminder to states and districts regarding the appropriate use of federal funds for lobbying and membership costs. While not a new policy, this clarification is significant for all schools, districts, and organizations receiving federal funds, as it reinforces compliance expectations under the Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.450)—which applies to all federal programs.
Federal funds cannot be used to pay membership dues to organizations whose primary purpose is lobbying. If a grantee pays dues to an organization that does engage in lobbying (even if it is not their primary purpose), the grantee must be able to demonstrate that no portion of those dues supported lobbying activities.
Fees are allowable when they support professional development or other necessary activities—but not if the organization’s main purpose is lobbying or if it refuses to disclose its lobbying costs.
To ensure compliance, NDDPI strongly encourages districts to:
• Exclude any dues or memberships associated with lobbying from federal grant charges.
• Scrutinize all memberships to confirm that only the non-lobbying portion is charged to federal funds.
• Maintain detailed documentation, cost breakdowns, and justification of necessity.
Districts using federal funds for membership dues should be prepared to provide documentation during Federal Programs Monitoring. This clarification offers a timely reminder for all grantees to review current practices and ensure full compliance with federal requirements.
NDDPI Seeks Input for ND State Literacy Plan
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction invites educators and stakeholders to review and provide feedback on the draft North Dakota State Literacy Plan. Your input will help shape a statewide vision that reflects the needs and priorities of schools and communities across North Dakota.
The plan outlines a comprehensive literacy framework from birth through grade 12, emphasizing evidence-based instruction, professional learning for educators, and equitable opportunities for all learners to develop strong literacy skills.
🗓 Feedback Deadline: Oct. 17
Your feedback is vital to ensuring that the final plan supports effective literacy instruction and lifelong learning for every student in North Dakota.
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