North Dakota lawmakers are assessing information and testimony they just received from the state’s special education teachers. The feedback underscores survey results about the added stress the educators are experiencing.

An interim legislative committee took up the issue last week, following up on a 2025 law which calls for a deeper look into special ed teacher shortages and the job pressures they face.

The teachers’ union North Dakota United provided survey results as part of the required study. Three-quarters of respondents said pay and benefits rarely keep pace with the cost of living.

Jessica Van Winkle, a special education teacher for Bismarck Public Schools, touched on the issue when speaking to lawmakers.

“Most paraeducators I work with have to have at least two jobs to make ends meet, despite the complexity and importance of their work,” Van Winkle reported. “Paraeducators are among the lowest-paid employees in our school systems. Some qualify for public assistance while serving our most vulnerable students.”

Another 86% of respondents say they feel overwhelmed by their special-education workload. The union said the state should increase funding for school districts’ special education departments but the Legislature will not meet again in regular session until 2027. A Republican lawmaker on the interim panel was reluctant about pushing more guidance onto districts on how to use these funds but other members expressed an openness to enhance support.

Rep. Eric Murphy, R-Grand Forks, is on the legislative panel and talked about the complexities of moving extra funding around based on the needs of each school district.

“You have 10 or 15 families that move in that have significant cost to educating those children and that’s being principally borne by the school district,” Murphy said. “The reason I like the waiting idea is, ‘OK, if that student moves in and they’re in this category, we’re going to give you a little bit more money.'”

The “waiting” idea he refers to is applied in other states, where districts are reimbursed as needs evolve, as opposed to being paid a lump sum. Murphy acknowledged even though it’s not clear what plan might come together before next session, the state will have to boost special ed funding no matter how it is divvied up. More talks are expected this spring.