North Dakota

Supporters of charter schools coming to North Dakota say it's 'all about choice'

Published

6 months ago

June 23, 2025

Press Room

Supporters of charter schools coming to North Dakota say it's 'all about choice'

FARGO — For Amber Vogel, the establishment of charter schools in North Dakota can’t happen soon enough.

Her daughter, Abby,

loves the alternative learning style of Fargo Public Schools’ Self-Directed Academy,

which she’ll leave behind when moving on to ninth grade at South High School this fall.

“I don’t have any other high school options besides a traditional public school, which is crazy considering I live in the largest community in the state,” Amber Vogel said.

Self-Directed Academy students Aubrie Myrmoe, Abby Vogel and Naomi Wiegrefe participate in a circle activity led by a student on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Agassiz School in Fargo.

Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum

Those new options are coming, with the North Dakota Legislature’s approval of Senate Bill 2241,

signed by Gov. Kelly Armstrong in late April.

Shelby Doyle, senior VP of policy and national partnerships at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, said North Dakota has been a “white whale” for public charter schools, finally joining the 46 other states that offer them.

Ironically, its neighbor to the east, Minnesota, was the birthplace of public charter schools more than 30 years ago.

“I have always wondered, has North Dakota ever looked over that border and thought to themselves, ‘That’s interesting,’” Doyle said.

The law takes effect Aug. 1, requiring charter schools to be part of the state’s public education system.

The process to establish them, though, is detailed and includes required timelines for public transparency and accountability, according to Dale Wetzel of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

Several informal inquiries have come in from teachers who are in discussions with potential sponsors in small and mid-size communities, but no formal proposals are yet under review, he said.

Given the time needed to complete rulemaking and implementation, Wetzel said the department does not anticipate a charter school opening for the 2025–2026 school year.

Doyle said even so, the charter school timeline could “sneak up” on people.

“If the first ones open their doors in the fall of 2027, the application process will start in 2026. That’s not terribly far away, especially when you’re planning for your child,” she said.

Speaking to The Forum from her organization’s home base in Nashville, Tennessee, Doyle said public charter schools are always open to the public and have no cost of admittance.

They may be set up in community centers, strip malls, former retail stores and converted industrial or office spaces.

They’re similar to traditional public schools, she said, in that they have the same academic assessments, must hire licensed teachers and provide transportation.

But charter schools differ in many important ways.

They’re typically run by a third party, which must have a performance contract with their state on results they plan to deliver for their “charter” to run a public school, she said.

While they’re publicly funded and must accommodate all students, they’re allowed to differentiate their offerings in terms of theme, focus or style of learning.

And, each charter school has its own independent board of directors that deals with day-to-day governance.

Per-pupil state funding follows each student to the charter school at which they’re enrolled.

Doyle said people need not worry about public school districts losing funds by some students moving to charter schools.

“While it can absolutely change the ecosystem … nowhere have we seen just a widespread disappearance of a public school system where charter schools have moved in,” Doyle said.

More than 180 charter schools operate in Minnesota,

she said, making up more than 7% of the K-12 student population. While the majority are located in the Twin Cities area, they are spread across the state, in cities, rural areas and on Native American reservations.

Charter schools closest to Fargo-Moorhead are in Park Rapids and Alexandria.

The Minnesota schools are often focused on science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, as well as those with arts added, or STEAM. Language immersion programs are also popular choices for charter schools, Doyle said.

Charter schools often offer online or hybrid options, as well.

“There was a huge reshuffling nationwide in school choices overall during the pandemic, and that’s been something that stuck,” she said.

Doyle said charter schools will be as good of an option as people in North Dakota make them.

“Nobody is going to just drop charter schools in your community … It’s going to take real grassroots energy for these schools to start and to be successful,” she said.

Vogel said she hopes multiple charter schools pop up as possible choices for her daughter.

“It gives families options to put their child in an environment that makes sense for them to learn in, so it’s all about choice for me,” she said.

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North Dakota

Griffin’s 18 lead Western Illinois past North Dakota 69-66 in OT – WTOP News

Published

11 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on…

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on Saturday.

Griffin had three steals for the Leathernecks (4-7). Karyiek Dixon scored 17 points while shooting 6 of 10 from the field and 5 for 6 from the line and added 18 rebounds. Lucas Lorenzen shot 3 for 13 (1 for 9 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 14 points.

Eli King led the way for the Fightin’ Hawks (4-9) with 13 points, two steals and four blocks. Greyson Uelmen added 13 points for North Dakota. Garrett Anderson had 11 points and six rebounds.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Copyright
© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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North Dakota

Community rescues grieving North Dakota widow — by harvesting their late pal’s 1,400 acres of crops

Published

24 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Community rescues grieving North Dakota widow — by harvesting their late pal’s 1,400 acres of crops

In North Dakota, farmers aren’t neighbors — they’re family.

When a sudden car crash tragically took the life of a beloved community member, the goodhearted folks of Antler came together to carry out one final act of kindness: they harvested his crops.

Randy Fyllesvold was killed in September, and his grieving widow, Kharra, and their two sons were left reeling, in no condition to deal with the 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans still in the fields surrounding their home.

That’s when the close-knit community stepped in.

Two of Randy’s pals — Wyatt Thompson and Andy Gates — decided to organize a large-scale harvest of their late pal’s crops.

First, they put out a call for help.

And the people answered. In a flash, more than 75 volunteers from surrounding communities were rolling onto the farm on 12 combines, in 40 trucks, all loaded with other equipment — along with willing hands.

They worked together like a well-oiled machine, and the massive effort was locked up in just a couple days.

Kharra said being among so many people harvesting her husband’s final crop was “nothing short of breathtaking” and she feels blessed to be the recipient of so much love and support in such a harrowing time.

But they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“To know Randy was to love Randy,” said buddy Wyatt Thompson told local station KFYR. “..The reach that he had was kind of endless.”

Kharra said she’ll never forget what they did for her.

“As I stood in the shop and looked around before the final Randy Fyllesvold corn harvest started, I was flooded with memories we created with all of you,” she wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post.

“The day was full of emotion, but I found so much peace in watching it unfold … but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will always remember this and Randy would be so proud.

“God Bless all of you and the boys and I love each and every one of you. 12 combines, 7 grain carts, over 40 trucks all for you Randy.

“I know you are smiling down.”

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North Dakota

Donald Snyder Sr.

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Donald R. Snyder Sr. 82 of Grand Forks, North Dakota died Tuesday, December 9, 2026, at Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, Minnesota.

Don was born on June 3, 1943, the son of Harrison and Gladys (Whittier) Snyder in Van Hook, North Dakota. He attended school in Van Hook and New Town, North Dakota. Don served in the United States Navy from 1960 – 1964 and was stationed in Hawaii during his time of service as a Military Police officer. He attended ND Police Academy and where he worked in Wattford City, ND and later was the Chief of Police in Parshall, ND. Don attended Minot State University and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1972.

Don was united in marriage to Greta Huseby on November 22, 1991, in Lake Tahoe, Neveda. He worked as a social worker in child welfare in North Dakota for thirty-five plus years in various roles in the state in Rugby, Minot and Bismarck as a Regional Supervisor to State Director in foster care. Don spent the many years taking care of family’s needs in North Dakota.

After retiring from Human Service in North Dakota, he worked for Multiband Inc. and Orangehook Inc. Don retired from OrangeHook Inc. as the Senior Vice President, responsible for HR Department.

Don enjoyed fishing (deep sea, rivers and lakes), hunting, woodworking (cabinetry and interior), coaching Tee Ball and soccer, and volunteering for the local honor guards. He was proud of his service in the military and always showed his gratitude for fellow veterans.

Don’s faith and family were his priority. He read the Bible six times and shared his faith with his family and friends. Don and Greta were active members of University Lutheran Church.

Don is survived by his wife, Greta Snyder; three sons, Donald Richard Snyder Jr., Scott (Nancy) Snyder and Tracy (Staci) Snyder; grandchildren, Megan (Rory) Selk, Katelyn Snyder, Gavin Snyder, Whitney (Chris) Crofts, Kaylee (Jon) Gappmaier and Jordan (Jen) Snyder, thirteen great-grandchildren, Kinley, Iyla, Jude, Gabby, Rowan, Sophia, Hunter, Kimber, Isaiah, Benjamin, Porshea, Addie and Mollie; numerous nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Tunya and Mishell Snyder, granddaughter, Jessica Snyder and two infant sisters.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Amundson Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Amundson Funeral Home.

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