Letter to the editor: Baesler most qualified for superintendent of DPI

Why would we vote for a superintendent of public instruction candidate who chose to leave the classroom more than 20 years ago with very little teaching experience? A couple of years as a history teacher and several years running as a die-hard Democrat to become a professional politician is the wrong candidate for our children. We have seen the negative effects of No Child Left Behind, because we let career politicians decide what is best for our education system.

Kirsten Baesler has made education her life. From the moment she started college to the present she has made education her passion. She was an elementary school teacher, a library media specialist, an assistant principal, a member of the Mandan School Board, and has served as president of that board.

She is an active member of the North Dakota School Board Association and serves as editor of its member publication, “Bulletin,” as well as serving as the assistant to the executive director for the NDSBA.

We in the state of North Dakota have not seen a superintendent of public instruction’s resume that equals that of Baesler. I have had several opportunities to discuss relevant issues in education with Baesler and found her to be able to listen to my concerns and then address them with relevant answers that only come from someone in education.

Nov. 6 we have a choice to make. Should we pick someone who has a desire to make politics his livelihood with very little education experience, or do we make the right decision and choose the candidate who has made education her passion, and teaching our children her life? Let’s vote for Baesler and let our education system be run by educators.

Rick Ross

Valley City, N.D.

Tags: opinion, letters, politics