School Board Election

2026 School Board Election

Candidates interested in running for one of four open positions on the West Fargo Board of Education may submit an application until Monday, April 6, 2026 at 4:00PM. Applications need to be submitted to the West Fargo Public Schools Business Office (2028 2nd Ave NW, West Fargo) by the deadline.

Please download the two documents below for completion; they are also available for pickup at the District Support Center.

Affidavit of Candidacy

Statement of Interests

The election is Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Terms are for four years. The Board meets in regular session on the second and fourth Mondays of each month except in December when one meeting is held on the second Monday.

If you have questions regarding the school board or the election, please contact Secretary to the School Board Alicia Severson at 701-499-1002 or Board President, Patti Stedman.

Campaign Disclosure Statement Reporting

Individuals running for school board must submit a campaign disclosure statement reporting:

The total of all contributions received exceeding $200 during the reporting period
- Each Aggregated contribution received from a contributor which exceeds $200 during the reporting period
  - Name and mailing address of the contributor
  - Total amount of contributions
  - Date the last contribution was received
- The total of all contributions received of $200 or less during the reporting period

The reporting period is January 1, 2026 through April 30, 2026 (40 days before the election).

The statement may be submitted for filing to the school district business manager beginning on May 1, 2026 (39th day before the election) and is due by 4:00 pm on May 8, 2026 (32nd day before the election [must be filed prior to the 31st day]).

Link: NDCC 16.1-08.1-02.3 Campaign Contribution Statements

Form: https://www.nd.gov/eforms/Doc/sfn53970.pdf

Types of Reportable Contributions:

A gift, transfer, conveyance, provision, receipt, subscription, loan, advance, deposit of money, or anything of value, made for the purpose of influencing the nomination for election, or election, of any person to public office or aiding or opposing the circulation or passage of a statewide initiative or referendum petition or measure.

The term also means a contract, promise, or agreement, express or implied, whether or not legally enforceable, to make a contribution for any of the above purposes.

The term includes funds received by a candidate for public office or a political party or committee, which are transferred or signed over to that candidate, party, or committee from another candidate, party, or political committee or other source.

The term "anything of value" includes any good or service of more than a nominal value. The term "nominal value" means the cost, price, or worth of the good or service is trivial, token, or of no appreciable value. The term "contribution" does not include:

A loan of money from a bank or other lending institution made in the regular course of business.

Time spent by volunteer campaign or political party workers.

Money or anything of value received for commercial transactions, including rents, advertising, or sponsorships made as a part of a fair market value bargained-for exchange.

Money or anything of value received for anything other than a political purpose.

Products or services for which the actual cost or fair market value are reimbursed by a payment of money.

An independent expenditure.

The value of advertising paid by a political party, multicandidate political committee, or caucus which is in support of a candidate.

In-kind contributions from a candidate to the candidate's campaign.

About the School Board

The School Board is comprised of seven residents of the West Fargo School District elected at large to four-year terms. They receive an annual stipend for their work.  Board members attend regularly scheduled meetings each month, participate on committees specified in their governing policies, and serve as liaisons to schools. 

School Board elections for three or four positions on the Board are held in conjunction with the county elections. New directors take their seats in July, and the Board elects new officers at that time.

The Board’s job is to represent, lead, and serve the citizens and to govern the district by establishing expectations for district results, expectations for quality operational performance, and monitoring actual performance against those expectations. 

The Board will govern lawfully with primary emphasis on results for students; encourage full exploration of diverse viewpoints; focus on governance matters rather than administrative issues; observe clear separation of Board and Superintendent roles; make all official decisions by formal vote of the Board; and govern with long-term vision.

Responsibilities & Time Expectations of Board Members

West Fargo Board of Education members are obligated to fulfill legal and civic responsibilities.  Each Board member is compensated annually for their work and time. 

The list below is an overview of the responsibilities and time expectations of Board members.

Regular Board Meetings – 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, beginning at 6:00 p.m., 1-3 hours each

Work Sessions – Typically at least four per year, 4 hours each

Special Board Meetings – as needed

Committee Meetings – 1-2 assignments per person (1 meeting per month per committee on average); for additional information see Board policy

School Liaison Assignment – encouraged connections to each liaison school assignment (staff and PTA), each Board member has 2-3 liaison schools

Liaison Assignments to Other Committees or Community Groups – varies by group

School Functions – several throughout the year

North Dakota State School Board Association (NDSBA) Conference, Bismarck – 2-day conference in October each year

National School Board Association (NSBA) Conference – 3-day conference in March or April each year

Joint Meetings with City of Fargo and Park District Officials – 1-2 times per year

Student and Public Engagement Meetings – as determined by the Board

Distribution of High School Diplomas – assigned 1-2 schools annually to distribute diplomas at graduation

Legislative Interactions – periodic updates with assigned legislators, legislative breakfast in Bismarck during session, possible testimony at committee hearings

Ability to respond to questions/feedback from stakeholders in a timely manner

Additional Resources

The West Fargo Board of Education is a member of the North Dakota Schools Board Association.  To find out more about this organization, visit ndsba.org.