Legislators Grapple with K-12 Funding
The North Dakota's Legislature's interim Education Funding Formula Review Committee has its hands full, trying to sort out inequities in the current formula and identify ways to address inadequacies in the delivery of K-12 education around the state.
Committee members heard a
report from the Department of Public Instruction regarding the funding sources that support public schools in the state. The data provided by DPI shows the average district gets 76 percent of its operating revenue from the Foundation Aid formula, but individual amounts vary widely ranging from zero in the Billings County district to more than 90 percent in some of the state's smaller school districts. The report shows the average district gets about 20 percent of its revenue through local property taxes, with the balance coming from various forms of "in-lieu" revenue which includes oil and gas gross production tax (GPT) dollars that go to districts in western North Dakota.
The committee discussed a "sparsity formula" adopted by the state of South Dakota to address funding needs in small rural schools. DPI provided a list of districts that would benefit from sparsity payments if the system was used in North Dakota. Senator Don Schaible, who chairs the committee, said it could support remote districts, that if they were forced to close, would require students to travel a long distance to the next nearest school. Schaible also addressed components of the formula that help support districts with declining enrollment, pointing out the state needs to acknowledge it must draw the line somewhere.
"Quite frankly what's happened with our funding formula with its student-based revenue-generating source, is we've really hampered discussions for consolidation and cooperation," Schaible said. "I am a local control person and if a community wants to run no matter what size it is I think that's fine. But the state provides a certain amount of funding and then locally it's up to you to make up the difference."
The committee also heard from Linda Leadbetter, supervisor of assessments for the Tax Department, who provided a
report outlining the taxable value of property in each school district and the general fund mill levy assessed by each district. Leadbetter said the value of one mill varies widely from less than $1,000 in some smaller districts, to as much as $481,000 which is the value of a mill in the Bismarck school district. She said the median value of a mill across all districts is about $11,000.
The committee spent considerable time discussing the fact that the funding formula does not ensure equity for districts with growing enrollment that have to build schools. Rep. Marvin Nelson said that's when the value of a mill in a district becomes critically important.
"It doesn't matter that much what your school valuation is because you get the dollars-per-student, until you build a school and then suddenly, it's everything," Nelson said. "That to me in property taxes is where we have the great inequity."
State law requires districts to levy at least 60 mills to support the school's operation, but that has created problems in western school districts that have seen enormous increases in property values and a lot of new construction. Because property tax increases are capped at no more than 12 percent per year, several western districts have fallen considerably below the 60-mill threshold. McKenzie County Superintendent Steve Holen, who is among a group of administrators serving as ex-officio members of the committee, discussed the unfairness of the 60-mill requirement. Holen noted that due to steep increases in the value of property in McKenzie County, his district's levy has dropped to just 34.77 mills. But despite the low mill levy, he said it still generates 19 percent of the school district's revenue.
"West Fargo is paying 17 percent in local property tax, McKenzie's paying 19 percent - two growing districts in different parts of the state, Holen said. "So if there's a local property tax issue that we get forced to go up (to 60 mills), then why wouldn't West Fargo have to go up too?"
Holen said the formula doesn't credit districts for the other factors such as GPT that go into the local contribution, and instead requires districts to go to 60 mills whether the tax revenue is needed or not.
The committee will meet at least three more times during the interim to continue its effort to find ways to improve the fairness of the funding formula. Schaible said the next meeting would likely be in January.
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Soggy September One for the Books
There have been entire years when parts of western North Dakota didn't receive as much rainfall as they did in September.
Rainfall totals of between seven and nine inches were common in the heart of the Bakken last month, topped by the Hofflund station east of Williston with 10.04 inches. It's one of more than 100 weather stations that are part of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network.
The excessive moisture created nothing but headaches for oilfield truckers, who were forced to sit idle at times due to weight restrictions imposed by counties to protect their water-logged roads. Likewise, the persistent rainy weather has impeded the fall harvest. Some ag producers are still trying to finish their wheat harvest which is normally completed by the end of August.
Several locations set all time records for the month. Williston broke its old record of 3.74 inches less than halfway through the month, finishing September with a total of 8.09 inches. Minot's 7.85 inches was also a new record, breaking the old mark of 6.11 inches set in 1971. Dickinson's 5.62 inches is the third highest ever for the city, but less than an inch from the record 6.22 inches set in 1977.
The 10 new Wise Roads weather stations installed by WDEA as part of an effort to reduce disruption in oilfield traffic were put to the test during the month. Each of the sites recorded measurable precipitation anywhere from 13 to 16 days during the month. Click
here to see a table of Wise Roads' daily rainfall totals. Click
here to see a map of the 10 stations.
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LoadPass Advisory Panel to Meet Oct. 8
Oilfield Truckers Encouraged to Join Discussion
WDEA's LoadPass Permits advisory committee will hold its semi-annual meeting October 8 at the Bismarck Event Center.
Oil industry producers and trucking companies are welcome to attend and encouraged to share their comments and concerns with the advisory committee.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 2:15 p.m. on October 8 at the conclusion of the annual conference of the North Dakota Association of Counties. It will be held in the Prairie Rose Room in the upper level of the Bismarck Event Center.
The meeting will begin with a financial report detailing permit revenue received by counties from the LoadPass system, as well as a review of the special projects fund which supports map and computer enhancements as well as the Wise Roads weather station project. Other items to be discussed include:
- LoadPass Commissioner and/or Sheriff Designee forms
- Harvest Permit - Tiered
- LoadPass Outage Policy – discuss a procedure if system outages last longer than an hour
- Notification Message Policy – discussion of appropriate usage of notification system
- GIS Routable Map Demonstration and Discussion - Training session sign-up, Bridges
- LoadPass statewide expansion update
- Wise Roads weather station project update
The LoadPass advisory committee is chaired by WDEA board member Trudy Ruland, who is also the current chair of the Mountrail County Commission.
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Truckers Attend LoadPass Training
More Sessions to be Offered in the Future
More than 40 individuals involved in the trucking business took part in a LoadPass Permits training session offered this week at the Bakken Oil Products and Service Show in Williston.
The session provided truckers a demonstration and instructions about the uses and benefits of the recent enhancements to the permit system and its new GIS-enabled routable map.
Permit System Operator Janet Sanford said she received a lot of positive feedback from those who have begun using the GIS routing system which automatically selects a route for the user rather than requiring the trip to be entered by individual road segment with the old system.
The session also included a roundtable discussion to share best practices and concerns. Sanford said there was a lot of good interaction, questions and suggestions for future LoadPass enhancements. LoadPass also had a booth at the show, which provided attendees the opportunity for personal training on specific issues with the permit system.
Sanford said LoadPass staff will also have a booth at the North Dakota Association of Counties fall conference which kicks off this Sunday, and will have their "training station" set up in the booth.
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Interior Secretary Bernhardt Visits Medora
Burgum Urges Collaboration on Presidential Library
US Interior Secretary David Bernhardt was in North Dakota this week to discuss a backlog of maintenance and improvement needs for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Bernhardt offered moral support for establishment of the Theodore Roosevelt Library and Museum during his visit, saying he hopes the project moves forward. Libraries for presidents before Herbert Hoover, which includes Roosevelt, must be built without federal money.
The 2019 Legislature approved a bill authorizing the creation of a $50 million endowment for the library if $100 million in private donations is first raised for its construction. Governor Doug Burgum, who invited Bernhardt to visit North Dakota, encouraged Interior to work with the state on the effort.
“Working together, we can seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a world-class destination that grows our tourism economy and honors the legacy of a president who was transformed by North Dakota and went on to transform our nation and world,” Burgum said. “We greatly appreciate Secretary Bernhardt’s visit, his collaborative approach and his commitment to addressing deferred maintenance in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, our state’s top tourist attraction.
At an earlier news conference in Bismarck that included the governor and Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, Bernhardt said he was looking forward to learning more about the library project.
“This is a very special project in that you have real interest and commitment by the state of North Dakota – that’s special – and you have obviously a very significant private philanthropic effort as well, and that’s special,” Bernhardt said. “And so these are precisely the types of things that we hope succeed and that we can partner with going forward.”
Bernhardt, Hoeven and Cramer discussed their efforts at the federal level to address the National Park Service’s $12 billion maintenance backlog, which includes roughly $50 million in deferred maintenance at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The tour schedule included stops at the Painted Canyon Visitor Center, the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora, and potential sites for the presidential library and museum.
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EPA Administrator to Speak at BSC Energy Event
U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler will be the headline speaker at next week's Great Plains Empower ND Energy Conference at Bismarck State College.
Wheeler is expected to discuss EPA’s priorities regarding energy policy, balancing responsible environmental protection and economic opportunity.
The event is scheduled to get underway at 7:45 a.m. on October 8 at BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence. Retha Mattern, director of the Great Plains Energy Corridor at BSC, said the conference opens with a panel discussion featuring Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, and Gov. Doug Burgum, discussing the state's energy future.
Mattern said the agenda also includes a presentation by Kyle Loven, National Director for Computer Forensic Services, about digital threats to energy security.
Click
here to listen to Mattern's comments.
Mattern says attendees will also hear from Brian Tulloh, Executive Director, MISO External Affairs, who will present an update on the evolution of the generation mix within the MISO region, and how the introduction of more renewables may affect grid reliability.
Click
here to listen to Mattern's comments.
Pre-registration for the conference has closed. Walk-in registration is available for $100. Click
here to see the conference agenda. Click
here for additional details.
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Minot Educator Named ND Teacher of the Year
Sara Medalen, a reading and math interventionist at Minot’s Sunnyside Elementary School, has been named the North Dakota Teacher of the Year for 2020.
In making the announcement, Governor Doug Burgum said, “Sara Medalen goes above and beyond to engage her students with hands-on, innovative experiences that instill courage and curiosity and prepare them to be lifelong learners and problem solvers. We thank Ms. Medalen and all of the finalists for their passion and dedication to empowering students with the knowledge and skills they need to reach their fullest potential.”
Burgum and State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler will host a celebration for the new Teacher of the Year in mid-October.
Medalen assists students who are struggling with reading or math at Sunnyside, which is a grade K-5 school in Minot. She has also started programs to encourage reading, leadership development, and physical fitness. Among them are Books and Braids, in which young girls sign up for appointments for Medalen to braid their hair before school while they read aloud from a book. Girl Power is a group of young students who do charitable projects and hear presentations from female role models, including public officials, first responders, business people, and athletes.
Click
here for additional information about the North Dakota Teacher of the Year program, and
here for a list of prior Teacher of the Year recipients.
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K-12 Coordinating Council Meets
A new K-12 Education Coordinating Council formed to discuss how educators, administrators and policymakers can ensure that innovative practices are shared to create the best outcomes for students held its first meeting this week.
The council is intended to promote collaboration across all K-12 education entities in North Dakota as recommended by the Governor’s Innovative Education Task Force.
“By encouraging collaboration and alignment, this diverse group of experienced educators, administrators and legislators will ensure that innovative best practices are shared and supported by all educational stakeholders,” Burgum said.
The council was established by
SB 2215 and consists of 18 members including legislators, state officials and educators. Western North Dakota members include Underwood Superintendent Brandt Dick; White Shield School Superintendent Wayne Fox, and Dickinson High School Principal Kevin Hoherz.
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October Designated REAL ID month
Gov. Doug Burgum proclaimed October as REAL ID month. The designation is a reminder for North Dakota residents that starting October 1 next year, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board a commercial flight or gain access to secure federal facilities, including military bases and some federal offices.
“For the convenience, safety and security of all air travelers, we strongly encourage North Dakotans to act now to obtain a REAL ID. Don’t wait until the last minute. We want everyone to be able to travel when they want to travel and to arrive at their destination safely,” Burgum said.
To obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, residents will need to make an in-person visit to a North Dakota driver’s licence office. Appointments are available at the Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, Dickinson, Williston and Grand Forks offices and can be made online
here. Proper documentation is required. The NDDOT maintains a REAL ID checklist
here.
Click
here for a story on Burgum's proclamation from KXMB-TV.
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Leadership North Dakota Launches
UMary program targets challenges in ND
Created for established professionals with a desire to be an effective leader in the state, the University of Mary is offering a program called Leadership North Dakota, focusing on career advancement and networking.
Participants meet one time per month for six months in different communities in North Dakota to gain advanced leadership skills, explore major industries and key employers within each community, and participate in high-level networking opportunities.
The Leadership North Dakota Institute is offered through the Gary Tharaldson School of Business, and the University of Mary Workforce Development Department. The program beginning this month is limited to 15 participants. Registration closes October 10. For more information or to register,
click here.
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ND Trucking Industry Seminars
The North Dakota Motor Carriers Association has announced a series of safety, compliance, maintenance seminars coming up in October designed for individuals involved in the trucking industry.
The seminars will feature DOT compliance, hours of service regulations, electronic logging, and information about compliance, safety and accountability.
2019 Safety, Compliance & Maintenance Seminars
- Oct. 15 – 16: Mandan
- Oct. 17 – 18: Fargo
- Oct. 22 – 23: Williston
For detailed information on each session along with registration information, click
here.
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Scholarship Application Deadline Oct. 18
The deadline to apply for one of five energy scholarships being offered by WDEA is fast approaching. Applications must be received via email or postmarked by October 18.
The association is offering five $1,000 scholarships to students interested in pursuing a career in the energy sector. The opportunity is aimed at students who are enrolled in, or plan to enroll in energy-related training at either a college or technical school. The application process is easy. Students are asked to complete a one-page form, write up to a 300-word essay describing their interest in energy development, and include a recent transcript. Additional supporting documents such as letters of recommendation may also be included.
Click
here to see the selection criteria. Click
here to view or download the scholarship application.
Scholarship winners will be announced at WDEA's annual meeting, October 30-31 in Minot..
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Registration Open for WDEA Annual Meeting
Sponsorship/Exhibitor Opportunities Available
Registration is now open for the annual meeting of the Western Dakota Energy Association to be held October 30-31 at the Grand Hotel in Minot. The earlybird registration fee for the two-day event is just $95.00, but will increase to $120 after Oct. 18.
Sponsorships and exhibit space are available to companies or organizations interested in supporting the communities in the energy-producing region of western North Dakota. Click
here for the sponsor/exhibitor form. All revenue from sponsor fees goes toward the WDEA Scholarship Program for students aspiring to a career in the energy sector.
The meeting kicks off at 1:00 p.m. on October 30 with an update on enhancements and expansion of WDEA's
LoadPass Permits system, to be followed by an update on the association's
Wise Roads weather station project. The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion about truck permitting issues between industry representatives and county highway managers. The balance of Day One will be devoted to issues associated with North Dakota's growing natural gas production. The day will be capped off by an evening social at 5:30 featuring remarks from Cal Klewin regarding the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association and efforts to improve Highway 85.
Day Two opens with a perspective on ethics issues from Minot Senator David Hogue, to be followed by a presentation on workforce issues by Paula Hickel and Susan Ogurek from Job Service of ND, an update on the Western Area Water Supply Authority from Curtis Wilson, and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute's update of its county roads needs study. The morning agenda also features a presentation from Tim Nesheim with the North Dakota Geologic Survey about the potential for oil production in different benches in western North Dakota, a panel discussion about the education funding needs of western communities and an interim legislative report from Senator Rich Wardner.
Lt. Governor Brent Sanford will deliver a keynote address during the noon luncheon. The afternoon agenda includes details on lignite research and marketing efforts, and will conclude with a traditional county-by-county production report from Lynn Helms, director of the Department of Mineral Resources. The association's annual business meeting and election of officers will wrap up the event.
Click
here for the agenda and registration details. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Grand Hotel. To receive the discounted rate, guests should mention WDEA Annual Meeting when registering. Contact the hotel at: 701-852-3161 or (800) 735-4493.
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Quick Connect
- Lignite Energy Council sees brighter future for coal industry -- KFYR-TV
- Glen Ullin turbines to produce wind energy by November -- KFYR-TV
- Hundreds of Line 3 opponents rally in Duluth; cite oil spills and climate change -- Fargo Forum
- City shows off new Williston Basin International Airport at sneak peak -- Williston Herald
- ND ethanol industry feeling the heat with lower demand/growing season problems -- KFYR-TV
- Residents encouraged to vote in Beulah Public School District's special election -- KFYR-TV
- ND Area Census Office serving as operation base hosts grand opening -- Bismarck Tribune
- Williston company steals the show at Bakken Oil Product and Service Show -- Williston Herald
- Three cool oilfield products at the Bakken Oil Product and Service Show -- Williston Herald
- Slurry wells: A new option for radioactive oilfield waste disposal? -- Bismarck Tribune
- $1.47 M grant to help upgrade state's 911 services with better connections -- KFYR-TV
- Oilfield dominates top 25 employers for Williams and McKenzie counties -- Williston Herald
- Saturated ground growing concern for spring runoff in Souris Valley -- Minot Daily News
- Be aware: Background check changes now in effect for child care providers -- KXMB-TV
- Energy Secretary Rick Perry expected to announce resignation in November -- Politico
- Opinion: Elizabeth Warren is wrong to push for fracking ban, economy to suffer -- MarketWatch
- Phillips 66 cuts crude-by-rail shipments to Ferndale, WA refinery due to state law -- S&P Global
- U.S. crude oil exports continued to grow in the first half of 2019, record high in June -- EIA
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Factoid of the Week
Being a North Dakota legislator means intense work during the session which typically runs about four months. But their legislative representation extends beyond just participating in the session. The 66th Legislative Assembly is now hosting 28 interim committees with meetings sprinkled throughout the time the session ends and the new one begins.
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October 6-8
Bismarck
October 8
Bismarck Event Center
October 8
Bismarck
October 9
Bismarck
October 15-17
Williston
October 16-17
Rapid City, SD
October 16-18
Bismarck
October 21-23
Dickinson
October 23
Bismarck, ND
October 24
Bismarck
October 24-25
Bismarck
October 30
Devils Lake, ND
October 30-31
Minot
November 12-13
Fargo, ND
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Oil prices and rig count
October 4, 2019
WTI Crude: $52.81
Brent Crude: $58.37
Natural Gas: $2.35
North Dakota Active Rigs: 58 (up 1)
10/4/2018
-- 64 rigs
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Geoff Simon
Editor/Executive Director
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