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The Fargo Board of Education and the Fargo Education Association do not yet have a negotiated agreement, but they are well underway with the 2025-27 negotiations season. The FEA and the Board have been hard at work negotiating since April 2, and despite challenges, they have or are close to having agreements on many topics discussed.

As the FPS community of educators, students, and families navigates the evolving landscape of Evidence-Based Reporting and the Bimodal Matrix, there is a need to bring people together more intentionally and inclusively to examine shared goals and next steps. Beginning this fall, FPS will request participation from a dedicated, secondary group of educators, administrators, and instructional leaders to collaborate and explore grading practices that best support student learning, consistency, and transparency.

FPS staff recognize that student success goes beyond academics. That’s why they are committed to supporting the whole child through Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Progress was made this year in refining the District's MTSS-SEB (Social, Emotional, Behavioral) framework. MTSS-SEB represents an intentional shift from the former MTSS-B model - focused primarily on behavior - toward a more comprehensive, whole-child approach.

Get this week's news and events from across Fargo Public Schools in the current issue of SCHOOLTALK. This week's issue highlights include newsmakers, feature columns, and more.

There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, May 26 due to the Memorial Day holiday. Classes will resume as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, May 27.

The FPS Calendar Committee met over the course of multiple meetings to develop the 2026–27 school calendar. The committee was comprised of teachers, parents, principals, students, district office representatives, a Fargo Education Association member, support staff, and a School Board member. Read more about the process of creating the calendar and see the approved 2026-27 calendar.

When classes break for summer, work starts on Fargo Public Schools' buildings. Over the next few months, FPS will tackle many capital‑improvement projects spanning multiple facilities in the District. The focus is simple: safer, more efficient learning environments that serve students, staff and community for decades to come.

Sheds built by FPS Construction students for sale. Sheds are 10 x 12 and range from $2,100 - $2,600. Buyers responsible for pick up or delivery by June 15. To place order, call Idette at 701-446-1040 or grahami@fargo.k12.nd.us.

Fargo Public Schools announces the assignment of Tera Sistad as principal of Early Childhood Special Education. She will assume the position for the 2025-26 school year on July 1 from Donna Johnson, who is retiring.

In early April, the Fargo Board of Education traveled to Atlanta to attend the National School Boards Association’s annual conference. This experience allowed board members to deepen their shared commitment to public education and strengthen their advocacy for policies that support all students. It was also a valuable time to connect with one another and grow as a team dedicated to serving our community.

Thank you to all of the FPS American Sign Language Interpreters! May 7, was National Interpreter Appreciation Day. FPS has eight interpreters who help bridge the gap between spoken language and ASL. They work hard to ensure deaf/hard of hearing students have equal access across their school environments.

Fargo Public Schools' libraries are transitioning from their current Destiny library catalog system to Insignia Library System - a move that will bring improved features, streamlined management, and meaningful cost savings for our District.

Fargo Public Schools announces two administration assignments within the District. Jim Keal has been named principal of Washington Elementary School and Emily Dilliard has been named principal of Explorer Academy.

As the 2025 ND Legislative Assembly approaches the end of its regular session, the pace has accelerated to finalize key legislation. The Fargo Board of Education’s Governmental Affairs Committee has been actively engaged throughout the session, closely monitoring major policy proposals, funding decisions, and property tax reform efforts. 

FPS is proud to share that its 2024–25 Level of Determination Report Card reflects meaningful progress in its commitment to supporting students with disabilities. Issued annually by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, the LoD Report Card evaluates how school districts are implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Read more about key improvements during the 2024-25 school year and areas for continued growth.

Regardless of age, background, or experience, prioritizing mental health strengthens individuals, families, and communities. This May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, we encourage everyone to take intentional steps to support their own mental health and to foster a culture of care and connection across our schools and community.

The business services department is tasked with balancing a complex budget, one that supports more than 11,000 students, employs more than 2,000 staff members, and ensures every dollar is spent wisely to Educate and Empower All Students to Succeed. FPS is in a difficult budget cycle, like other school districts in North Dakota, preparing next year’s operating budget while facing two major unknowns: unresolved state legislation and unsettled teacher contract negotiations.

Summer EBT will be available to eligible families in North Dakota this summer. This program provides additional help for families with children to buy nutritious food when school is not in session. The benefit is $120 per eligible school-aged child and must be used within 122 days of issuance. Most families will get these benefits automatically, but some will need to apply.

Fargo Public Schools has been named one of United Way of Cass Clay's Top 50 Generous Workplaces. More than 650 businesses partner with United Way every year. These businesses serve as a role model for corporate social responsibility which in turn creates a culture of caring among their employees.

The Mental Health Series from ParentGuidance.org is a powerful resource designed to support family mental health. Adult involvement is important in a child's success. Ask a Therapist Live, is May 7.

The FPS Self-Directed Academy (SDA) is now enrolling students in grades 5-8 for Fall 2025. Students who may be a good fit for SDA possess intrinsic motivation to learn, set personal goals, and take ownership of their own learning. The SDA learning model is built on the principle that learning should be self-directed, competency-based, and not confined by traditional time constraints.

FPS students are first introduced to languages in seventh grade in the World Language Survey course that introduces language-learning and exposure to the four languages that are taught in the District. FPS offers French, German, Latin and Spanish starting with students in eighth grade and continues through level 4 at the high school. Language study provides many opportunities and benefits for students. Studies show that learning a language can enhance memory, problem-solving skills, and cognitive flexibility.

Members of the FPS Standards-Based Instruction team attended the North Dakota Science of Reading Explicit Instruction Academy, deepening their understanding of research-backed practices outlined in “Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching" by Anita Archer and Charles Hughes. The training emphasized that even experienced educators benefit from ongoing learning — in Archer’s words, “How well I teach = how well they learn.”

Fargo Public Schools anticipates 847 kindergarteners in its elementary schools for the 2025-26 school year per enrollment projections. As of the end of March, only 408 students have been registered. To ensure FPS can provide the best possible start for every child, families must register their kindergarteners right away. Early registration allows the District to plan appropriately for fall.