Meet The Finalists For North Dakota’s Education Board Appointment

Three finalists have been selected for consideration by Gov. Kelly Armstrong to fill a vacancy on the North Dakota Board of Higher Education.

A nominating committee agreed Tuesday to forward three names to the governor for review.

The finalists include Michelle Kommer of Fargo, a human resources and employee benefits consultant who previously served as state commerce and labor commissioner and as director of Job Service North Dakota; Stan Schauer of Bismarck, who serves as director of assessments for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction; and Darin Scherr of Bismarck, business and operations manager for the Bismarck Public School District.

The appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Levi Bachmeier, who stepped down from the board in November after taking office as North Dakota’s superintendent of public instruction. The individual selected by the governor will be responsible for completing the remainder of Bachmeier’s four-year term, which is scheduled to end June 30, 2029.

Service on the board will begin immediately following the governor’s appointment. However, confirmation by the North Dakota Senate will be required for the appointed member to continue serving on the board.

The nominating committee’s membership is defined by the North Dakota Constitution. The committee is composed of the superintendent of public instruction, the president of North Dakota United, the chief justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court, the president pro tempore of the North Dakota Senate and the speaker of the North Dakota House of Representatives.

Current members include Superintendent of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier, Nick Archuleta of North Dakota United, Supreme Court Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers, state Sen. Kyle Davison, R-Fargo, and House Speaker Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield.

Get our free mobile app

The North Dakota Board of Higher Education is responsible for overseeing and setting policy for the state’s 11 public colleges and universities within the North Dakota University System.