02.12.25

Hoeven: President Trump Nominates NDPI Superintendent Kirsten Baesler to Serve as Assistant Secretary for Elementary & Secondary Education

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after President Donald Trump nominated North Dakota’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) at the U.S. Department of Education (ED).Hoeven worked with incoming Education Secretary Linda McMahon during her time as the Director of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and recommended to McMahon both in person and over the phone that Baesler be nominated to this position.

“We appreciate President Trump and Department of Education Secretary-elect McMahon nominating Kirsten to this position. Kirsten has done a tremendous job overseeing the education of students in North Dakota and will be a great asset to the Trump administration,” said Hoeven. “Kirsten has spent her career focused on education and has experience ranging from teaching in a classroom to leading the NDPPI. We congratulate her on her nomination and will work with our colleagues to ensure she is confirmed by the Senate as quickly as possible.”

Baesler has served as state school superintendent since January 2013, where she leads the 86-person team responsible for overseeing the education of both public and nonpublic school students in North Dakota. Prior to her election as superintendent, Baesler spent 24 years working in the Bismarck Public School System including as a vice principal, classroom teacher and library media specialist. She spent nine years on the Mandan School Board, serving as president of the board for seven years. Baesler is a native of Flasher and graduated from Bismarck State College, Minot State University and Valley City State University.

-###-