Governor's Policy Director, WFPS alumnus named district's business manager

 

Levi Bachmeier, current Policy Director for Governor Burgum,has accepted the  position as the next business manager for West Fargo Public Schools. 

Mr. Bachmeier holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education from Concordia College. His  career started in education as the social studies teacher at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation’s Crazy Horse High School from 2014–2016 via Teach for America. During the 2015–2016 school  year, he also served as the school’s acting principal. Additionally, he had the opportunity to serve  as a policy fellow for the U.S. Department of Education in the summer of 2015. This provided  additional experience working with rural and Native schools, as well as providing administrative  support during the Senate’s reauthorization of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESSA). 

Mr. Bachmeier joined Governor Burgum’s 2016 campaign as the Doug Burgum for North Dakota Director of Advance and Operations. Upon Governor Burgum’s successful campaign, he appointed Mr. Bachmeier to serve in the role of policy advisor. His portfolio specialized in education policy and public safety, including advising the operations, response, and diplomatic resolutions associated with the Dakota Access Pipeline protest. In 2018, he was promoted to policy director for the Governor’s Office, where he helped craft a $14.3 billion executive budget recommendation for the state’s 2019–2021 biennium. In addition, he served as the project manager for the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion project and oversaw such areas as education, public safety, budget, tribal relations, and technology. 

“The experiences, skills, and relationships that Mr. Bachmeier has fostered during his career will be a powerful addition to our experienced Business Department staff. His personality is one that thrives in opportunities to collaborate with others, especially with those individuals who share his passion for excellence and the field of educational finance,” remarked Superintendent Slette following the announcement of Mr. Bachmeier’s selection. 

Mr. Bachmeier will begin his position part-time with the district in early September before a transition to full-time prior to the retirement of current business manager, Mark Lemer, at the end of October.