10 a.m. - Mandan voters will chose among mostly new candidates for school board representation.

Only one incumbent is seeking re-election for one of the three seats up for election in June.

Four of the six candidates are competing for two at-large seats and Warren Geiger is running for re-election against political newcomer Tom Arenz for the rural representative seat. Geiger currently serves as an at-large representative.

The board consists of nine members. One member represents the district outside the city, which is the rural representative. Current rural representative Elmer Madler is not seeking re-election.

Geiger and John Gerding occupy the two at-large seats up for election. Gerding is not seeking re-election. The candidates for the two seats are Tim Tausend, Dan Leingang, Arlen Ruff and Denis Montplaisir. All but Montplaisir are running for school board for the first time. Montplaisir did not win re-election in 2005.

Rural representatives:

Warren Geiger

If bids for the new junior high come in higher than anticipated, what would you do?

"We're not going to bust the budget. My plan is to not take any money out of interim funds. What we would change is hard to say. It is not out to bid yet. I can guarantee you, if I'm on there, we will stick to the bid price."

What is your opinion of security cameras in schools?

"I'm not real fond of them. We've got too many places in society people are watching over. We already have cameras in the high school. I voted against it. It's not really security, but monitoring. Only three to four (are for surveillance), the rest are for monitoring kids … I am a firm believer in cameras on buses. We used to put cameras in the front of the bus, and rotate four cameras, so the kids didn't know if it was on the bus or not. It settled quite a few arguments. I wanted to put cameras (in front) of the elementary schools instead of in the high school."

The district is asking voters if it should change its taxation on agricultural land, which is taxed at 25 percent less that of residential land. Does the agricultural tax rate need to be changed?

"That's sort of a false statement. Residential property taxes are done on an assessed valuation. Some are 40 to 50 percent of their assessed value. It seems to be a rural versus urban issue allowing Mandan to vote. Of course they will vote for it and it will raise our taxes 25 percent more and taxes are quite high. Instead of raising taxes, we need to do something else. Property taxes is not the answer for the school district."

What are your priorities for the district for the next three years?

"I have a number of concerns. I was president (of the board) six years. When I was president, I worked hand-in-hand with the superintendent and principals. Next year we will have a new superintendent and two new principals and two new board members - three, if I'm not elected - and three new board members last time. There will be only two existing board members if I don't win and a $23 million budget and a new school … It is good to have someone with experience to get it done on budget and get (the new people) acclimated."

Tom Arenz

If bids for the new junior high come in higher than anticipated, what would you do?

"We'd have to get together as a board and look if it is competitive and if there are any features that can be eliminated."

What is your opinion of security cameras in schools?

"I would not have a problem with surveilance cameras at the schools, but would prefer they were limited to outside premises and hallways."

The district is asking voters if it should change its taxation on agricultural land, which is taxed at 25 percent less that of residential land. Does the agricultural tax rate need to be changed?

"Personally, no I do not. I think what they are trying to do is the mill is at the max and now they want to bring in the county. I want to hear all the reasons (for it). Rural (residents) does not take part in all the activities, some do not all go to the school because they are home schooled. I don't think it's just taxation. I want to hear all the facts."

What are your priorities for the district for the next three years?

"I'd definitely want to see teachers and administrators get along a little bit better. There is strain and morale issues. It can be worked out if they communicate better. I'd also like to see salaries increase for salaries and benefits."

At large representatives:

Tim Tausend

If bids for the new junior high come in higher than anticipated, what would you do?

"What we'd have to do is look at where the overage is and come in line and budget for it. We could bring the architect in and look at the bids and see why they came in like they did and make necessary cuts."

What is your opinion of security cameras in schools?

"I think they're fine as far as … (it) limits risk. I think it is good. I don't know if it is a primary issue in our school district. I would want to talk about what is the environment and how dangerous it is before making a decision. I want to make an informed decision. There might be other things the district needs … everything has to be weighted (on) What things are the most needed."

The district is asking voters if it should change its taxation on agricultural land, which is taxed at 25 percent less that of residential land. Does the agricultural tax rate need to be changed?

"That's something that needs to be decided by the voters. (This board decided) anything that increases taxes should go to a vote. I leave it in the capable hands of the taxpayers."

What are your priorities for the district for the next three years?

"The relationship between board of education and present administration at some level is strained. We need get a good working relationship with all the employees administration and board. Once we work at that level, we can accomplish a lot more."

Arlen Ruff

If bids for the new junior high come in higher than anticipated, what would you do?

"I think that we still need to build a facility. We could prioritize what it needs, doing it in phases, or we may have to take it to the voters for further approval, unless there are alternative sources. I do think we need to go forward with the project"

What is your opinion of security cameras in schools?

"I think they're an excellent idea. They prevent crime, prevent vandalism after hours and keep everyone on their best behavior."

The district is asking voters if it should change its taxation on agricultural land, which is taxed at 25 percent less that of residential land. Does the agricultural tax rate need to be changed?

"That's a very touchy subject. It is a source of revenue the district needs. I do agree it should be changed. It is not an appropriate stance with a lot of farmers. We need to raise revenues and it is one way we can do it."

What are your priorities for the district for the next three years?

"One priority is teacher morale. It is at a low point. We need to work on trust with the board and teachers. It is the result of the last two contracts. It came to impasse. If that (morale) is restored, it will work on teacher retention. Compensation should be increased so it is competitive with other districts. I want to work with teachers and the district (administration) on technology. It is rapidly occurring. Those would be the big things"

Dan Leingang

If bids for the new junior high come in higher than anticipated, what would you do?

"I would expect the business manager and superintendent to do whatever possible. I don't think we should look for additional money (from voters). We expect money being tight in Mandan. Whether we reopen bids or look at actual budget estimates and work to be done, voters approved a certain amount. It would create distrust if we asked for more and more. It is important to get things moving."

What is your opinion of security cameras in schools?

"I think we live in a different world. It is important to have something in place. It is important to keep students safe in the high school, junior high and elementary schools.

"It is a safety issue, not a big brother issue. I would be in favor."

The district is asking voters if it should change its taxation on agricultural land, which is taxed at 25 percent less that of residential land. Does the agricultural tax rate need to be changed?

"The voters are going to task on this. I'm curious to see what the results will be. I'm not sure why it is set up (that way)."

What are your priorities for the district for the next three years?

"I think the morale of employees is at a low point. I would do whatever I can to increase it for the employees of the district. As far as going forward, what is published with negotiations, there are a lot of great things going on and I would do what I can to promote that."

Denis Montplaisir

If bids for the new junior high come in higher than anticipated, what would you do?

"We would probably consider not accepting (the bids). It is a normal reaction. We would go back with the architect and see if there are any changes or adaptations that could be made. We have to realize in the last year and half, there has been a tremendous increase in cost in gods because of Katrina and things like that. It is extremely important for us to carefully consider, if we have to make adaptations, to be creative and look for other resources, if it came down to that."

What is your opinion of security cameras in schools?

"I think that there are a number of places in the country where it has become a necessity.

"I'm not convinced at this point it is something we need in our current situation. We are only as good as our current situation and commitment to monitor them.

"It also needs to be looked at in light of other construction considerations. An example is the high school (with multiple entryways and windows)."

The district is asking voters if it should change its taxation on agricultural land, which is taxed at 25 percent less that of residential land. Does the agricultural tax rate need to be changed?

"I'm not as familiar about this or when the most recent changes have been made.

"I want to know if efforts were made to contact the rural population. There are some efforts that we would need to do. I would also want to explore historically about efforts when it was last changed. I don't know if it's happened."

What are your priorities for the district for the next three years?

"One is to certainly complete the building of the junior high and other projects approved in 2005. Associated with that would be to spend an intense amount of time to prepare the staff and curriculum to take advantage of that new building. It would be enough to transfer personnel and policy into the new and think it will work. I would work with the board and administration to make sure those things happen.

"My second priority, continue address the needs of all at risk kids in the district.

"Thirdly, I would say the board itself needs to revitalize and redevelop a growing positive relationship with all of our constituents: parents, community, teachers.

"The fourth is to bring the entire district into the present time in terms of technology, educational practices, curriculum, et cetera."