Superintendent candidates differ on state's role in school funding

For the two candidates for superintendent of public instruction, a ballot measure to abolish assessment-based property taxes raises questions about how much the state should pay for public schools.

Schools are one of the main government services that could be impacted if the measure passes. Overall, the state covers about 70% of educational costs while local property taxes support another 23%, according to data published by the State Department of Public Instruction. Other revenue sources cover the rest.

Language in the ballot measure requires the state to reimburse local governments at minimum by an amount equal to the property taxes they levy for the 2024 tax year.

Heitkamp, a Wyndmere resident who served in the state Senate from 2021 to 2022, says there’s a better way to bring down the cost of property taxes.



https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/10/11/superintendent-candidates-differ-on-states-role-in-school-funding/