The Bismarck School Board approved several budget enhancements Monday night to get a jump start before the next school year starts.

After three special budget planning meetings this month, the board decided some projects couldn't wait until the final budget is approved in October. These projects include building a new portable, repairing the septic system at Prairie Rose Elementary, revising the ventilation at Pioneer Elementary School and hiring an additional elementary teacher and part-time secondary agriculture teacher.

All of the approved projects and the two teacher positions will cost $193,000. The board approved the projects 5-0.

As school enrollment projections increase, the board was considering capping enrollments to prevent overcrowding in certain classrooms. After refiguring numbers, the board decided to add a $32,000 portable at Miller Elementary School.

The portable will be built at the school, to eliminate the cost of having to move it.It will be utilized until the additions are completed at Miller, around the beginning of the 2006 school year.

After two years of problems, the septic system at Prairie Rose Elementary School needs repairs. The pump-out station and concrete covert have eroded. The new system will cost $50,000 and will be finished by next school year.

After trying other methods to solve the noise problem with Pioneer Elementary School's ventilation system, the board yet another option. At $51,000, the school will get a new lower level ceiling, lights and ducted ventilation system.

The board asked Darin Scherr, the director of facilities and transportation, to try fixing the problem in a small area to make sure it will work before replacing the entire ceiling and light system.