Bob Valeu, Bismarck

Over $25 million in education funding for North Dakota has been recklessly frozen by the U.S. Department of Education. These funds provide critical support for over 100 after-school programs, essential teacher training, and academic support for students across the state. School Districts are in limbo. They have been informed that they will have to use local dollars at their own risk, as federal reimbursement isn’t guaranteed.

Unfortunately, our Republican supermajority seems unbothered by this funding emergency. They either don’t care how this will impact thousands of North Dakota families, or they don’t know what to do.

During the last legislative session, we faced a similar situation when urgent needs were met with delay and deflection. Now, even with six unused special session days, lawmakers are hesitating again, leaving children and educators in the lurch.

Teachers face stalled professional development. Students will lose vital resources. Our Legislature has both the mandate and the means to act.

This moment demands more than passive politics. It requires courage, clarity, and decisive leadership. If Congress won’t step up, North Dakota must.

Reconvene the session. Allocate emergency funds. Let’s stop stalling and start solving.