𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩? 𝟏𝟓𝟖 | 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐳 & 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐤

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
In this episode of The Rural Scoop, Melissa Sadorf sits down with three influential leaders from the North Dakota Small Organized Schools (NDSOS): Mike Heilman, Mike Bitz, and Brandt Dick.
Together, they explore the vital role small rural schools play in their communities, the realities of legislative advocacy, and the challenges facing education in North Dakota—including teacher shortages, funding constraints, and student enrollment declines. The conversation also highlights the importance of local decision-making, strong community ties, and strategic leadership transitions within NDSOS.
This episode offers a candid, insightful look into how rural education leaders are navigating change while continuing to prioritize quality education for every student.
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬:
00:00 Meet the NDSOS Leaders
02:19 Mike Heilman Origin Story
03:47 Brant Dick Small School Roots
05:19 Mike Bitz Next Chapter
06:30 What Lawmakers Should Know
09:58 Why Serve on the Board
11:52 What NDSOS Actually Does
17:09 Superintendent Calls Right Now
18:56 North Dakota Strengths
22:08 Pressures on Rural Districts
25:25 How NDSOS Sets Priorities
30:32 Showing Up at the Capitol
32:21 Closures and Consolidation Choices
36:43 Transportation Costs and Funding
41:09 School Choice and Rural Impact
44:20 Guardrails for Public Dollars
46:35 Leadership Transition Ahead
49:27 Next Two Years Challenges
53:35 Defining the Rural Advantage
56:24 Final Thanks and Signoff
𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
This conversation underscores a powerful truth: rural schools are not a secondary part of education—they are the foundation of many communities. Through collaboration, advocacy, and deep community ties, leaders like those at NDSOS continue to champion equitable education despite significant challenges.
As education systems evolve, the commitment to local decision-making, strong relationships, and student-centered leadership remains essential. Rural schools may face unique obstacles, but they also possess a unique strength—their people.