Bismarck School Board members said Monday they want solid cost and size figures before going ahead with two elementary school building additions.

Members didn't make any final decisions on the projects, but said they are looking to proceed without taking it to a public vote. Also, the board narrowed down its immediate list of building needs to three. Those include:

* Replacing the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system at Will-Moore Elementary School for an estimated cost of $1.2 million.

* Adding classrooms and a commons area to Miller Elementary School for an estimated $2.2 million.

* Adding classrooms and remodeling existing commons areas at Murphy Elementary School for $2.4 million.

District officials plan to revisit more than $5 million in renovations to Myhre Elementary School and the north wing of Simle Middle School in two years.

The board will hold a special meeting before its regular Feb. 14 meeting to prioritize the building projects at Miller and Murphy, determine how many classrooms to add on to each school and get more firm cost estimates. Members also expect to officially decide how to proceed.

Members are moving the plan forward after receiving a final report of input given during a Jan. 13 public forum, in which community members said they supported the projects. About 120 participants said they want class sizes to remain small, and to maintain medium- to small-sized elementary, middle and high schools. Parents said they didn't want elementary schools larger than 500 students.

Murphy's enrollment is at 566 students, while Miller has 515 students.

"People understand the need and the board's interest in moving forward, and concur with it," Superintendent Paul Johnson said.

Prior to the forum, board members were split on how to pay for the projects. They looked at two options, both of which wouldn't call for a tax increase. The district will pay off a $9.8 million loan with taxpayer money next year. Once the loan is paid, property taxes will go down. Residents could instead vote to maintain their current tax rate and fund the building projects, or the district could use its unlimited taxing authority and raise its mill levy.

Forum participants were divided on how to fund the projects. They questioned if the board could get the needed support from residents to pass a bond issue, but said not giving the community a say might reflect poorly on the district.

Board members said by raising the unlimited mill they can start the projects immediately, which is a concern with enrollment continuing to grow at the two schools. Also, if a bond issue failed, it would further delay the additions.

"This is an exciting time in our district, and a very critical time," said Parrell Grossman, board president.

Survey results from the forum are posted on the district's Web site at http://www.bismarck.k12.nd.us under "Current News."

(Reach reporter Sheena Dooley at 250-8225 or sheenadooley@ndonline.com.)