The Bismarck School Board appointed the director of a state agency to fill out the term of former member Sonna Anderson.

In a special meeting Saturday, the board selected Paul T. Govig as its newest member.

Govig replaces Anderson, who resigned Jan. 31 after 10 years on the school board. She left after being appointed a judge for the South Central District in Bismarck.

Govig, 47, is director of the division of community services for the state Department of Commerce. He is a former manager of corporate finance for Eide Bailly LLP, a regional consulting and certified public accounting firm. It's Govig's experience in finance that especially endeared him to board members. He was selected ahead of four other finalists.

"His strengths will nicely complement the knowledge, skills and abilities of the current board members," board member Parrell Grossman said. "He has a strong financial background. His expertise will be very useful to the school district in budgeting and other financial matters."

Govig's term will expire in June. He told board members he will seek election to the board then.

Govig previously had applied for a position on the board, after member John Grinsteiner resigned in 2001.

"He's demonstrated a strong interest in and willingness to serve the school district," Grossman said. "He's articulate and appears to have a good grasp of the issues facing the school district in the near future."

Govig received a degree in business administration from the University of Mary and his MBA from the University of North Dakota. He has three children - Tanner, Annie and Bruce - in the Bismarck public school system.

"I think I bring some good experience to the board," Govig said. "The division of community services receives significant amounts of federal dollars. I'm used to budgeting, the strings attached with it and dealing with it on an ongoing basis."

The other finalists for the position were Jim M. Hughes, Robert E. Johnson, Myra J. Meier and James M. Vukelic.

(Reach Tony Spilde at 250-8260 or tspilde@ndonline.com.)