Bemidji School Board to Vote on Teaching Contract, Online School

The board will consider a new teacher contract and the creation of a district online school.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vibrant, abstract silkscreen print composed of repeating images of school supplies like textbooks, pencils, and notebooks in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the evolving educational needs and priorities of the Bemidji community.The Bemidji school board's decisions on teacher contracts and online learning options will shape the district's educational landscape for years to come.Bemidji Today

The Bemidji Area Schools Board of Education will meet on Monday, April 20th to vote on a tentative agreement with the local teachers' union for the next two school years. The board will also consider approving the launch of a new online school option for students and families.

Why it matters

This vote on a teacher contract and the potential creation of an online school option reflects the ongoing challenges and evolving needs of the Bemidji school district, as it works to balance the interests of educators, students, and the broader community.

The details

The tentative agreement with the Bemidji Education Association would cover the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. If the online school is approved, the district would allocate funds for a partial principal position and related technology infrastructure.

  • The school board meeting will take place on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM.
  • An informal public listening session will be held at 5:45 PM prior to the board meeting.

The players

Bemidji Area Schools Board of Education

The governing body responsible for overseeing the Bemidji school district.

Bemidji Education Association

The local teachers' union that has been negotiating a new contract with the school district.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

If the online school is approved, the district will need to allocate funding, hire a partial principal, and implement the necessary technology infrastructure.

The takeaway

The Bemidji school board's decisions on the teacher contract and online school option will have significant impacts on the district's educators, students, and overall educational landscape in the community.