Nathe, Bachmeier, Governor’s office, Legislative leaders announce teacher pay bill to get and keep teachers in North Dakota classrooms
State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier, Rep. Mike Nathe and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden announced Monday a proposed bill that would offer North Dakota teachers an annual bonus to improve teacher retention and recruitment.
The Support Teachers and Youth Succeed (STAYS) stipend would create a teacher retention fund supported by 10% of the biennial distribution from the state’s Common Schools Trust Fund, funding an annual bonus for teachers working in North Dakota schools with an active teaching license.
“Great schools need great teachers,” State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier said. “This bonus program is an investment in the teachers who inspire students to be their best and a bold step toward filling empty classrooms across North Dakota. These stipends are built to grow, with the potential to reach $10,000 annually before my daughters graduate from high school. To those considering the noble profession of teaching, our message is clear: You do not have to choose between a career that changes lives and financial stability to support a family. You can do both by teaching in North Dakota.”
Bonus amounts would be distributed statewide based on the total number of eligible teachers. Payments would be capped at 25% of the average teacher base salary and paid without affecting a teacher’s contracted pay or retirement calculations.
“The teacher shortage is a statewide workforce issue, and it deserves a statewide response. The STAYS stipend is an investment in keeping proven teachers in North Dakota, bringing qualified teachers into our classrooms, strengthening our workforce and giving every student the opportunity to learn from a qualified teacher,” Nathe said.
The bill defines a teacher as “an individual licensed by the Education Standards and Practices Board who is engaged in the ‘profession of teaching’ as defined under section 15.1-13-01, except for an individual who is employed as an ‘administrator.’”
The bill authorizes an annual bonus payment for eligible teachers—those who taught for the full previous academic year and are either under contract for the current academic year or retired at the end of the previous academic year. If approved, the initial stipend would be approximately $3,400.
This bill is pending approval by the 70th Legislative Assembly, whose next regular session convenes in January 2027.
Strinden thanked Nathe and Bachmeier for their leadership and collaboration on the bill.
“We recognize the need for our educators to stay in the profession and continue to provide high-quality educational experiences for our North Dakota students. We look forward to including this proposal in the governor’s executive budget recommendation to the Legislature,” Strinden said.
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