BISMARCK — State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler invited the public to review and comment on new proposed rules for public charter schools in North Dakota at a public meeting scheduled for December.

The rules arise from Senate Bill 2241 which was approved by the North Dakota Legislature in April.

Baesler said in a release the rules provide more detail and guidance for charter school advocates as they develop the taxpayer-supported schools. Charter schools are allowed more operational and administrative flexibility than traditional public schools.

The legislation requires public charter schools to negotiate agreements with the superintendent of public instruction that will set out academic performance standards, and other regulations of their operations and governance.

“We look forward to the public and legislative review of these proposed regulations,” Baesler said. “They provide the transparency and accountability for charter schools that North Dakota’s traditional public schools already have. And they guarantee that North Dakotans’ voices are heard on any charter school proposal.”

The rules require a public hearing, a review by the Legislature’s Administrative Rules Committee, and vetting by the attorney general’s office. They are tentatively scheduled to take effect April 1, 2026. Once they are in place, charter school supporters may begin submitting school applications to the Department of Public Instruction.

The NDDPI is holding a public hearing on the public charter school rules Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 9:30 a.m., in the Brynhild Haugland Room of the state Capitol.

They are part of a package of administrative rules that also affect school bus standards, special education, school construction loans, school district cooperative agreements, professional development for math teachers in grades kindergarten through eight, and school building assessments.

Comments about any of the proposed rules may be sent to Jim Upgren, assistant director of school approval and opportunity for the Department of Public Instruction, at jimupgren@nd.gov, or by calling 328-2244. The comment deadline is 5 p.m. Central time on Monday, Dec. 15.