Four people are running for three openings on the Bismarck School Board.

The four candidates are incumbents Dan Kuntz, Marcia Olson and Aruna Seth and challenger Steve Marquardt. Each candidate was asked to respond to the same questions.

Aruna Seth

The sales tax initiative has $2.5 million earmarked for the career and technical center. What is your opinion of the district using sales tax money to fund construction of a building?

"A lot of time, when the city funds a project, it is with sales tax money and education is one of the most important projects, just like recreation. There is so much need in education with buildings aging and trying to give an education, all that's required.

"We have been trying to do career and technical facility for so long. We had a lease, so we had to wait. If we get (sales tax money) it will help build it earlier than later. We have 300 children on a waiting list. If we don't have room for them, we're holding them back. It will help us. If we get the sales tax money, we can use it to continue doing what we're doing."

What ways would you suggest the district fund the proposed $9 million career and technical center?

"At this point, we have some money in the building construction fund and if we get the sales tax money, we can do it in two to three years. We have eight mills (in the budget) right now funding Miller and Murphy … We haven't discussed that option, but it is one of the options.

"At the public forum we asked people what do they think and gave them three scenarios. They told us they don't want an increase in the mill and they do not want a bond. They told us to use the eight mills we have."

Bismarck's growth is affecting enrollment capacities at elementary schools. Does the district need to change boundaries, build an elementary school or add to existing elementary schools?

"The way Bismarck is growing, I'm sure we'll be building a school in the future. We have to plan in advance. (Existing school) sites were bought 20 years ago.

"We have dealt with boundary changes and it did not go the way it was supposed to go."

If the district builds a new school, where would you place it?

"We have not made that decision. The town is growing on the north side. It is why we added on at Rita Murphy and did the Miller and Murphy schools. We do hear from Lincoln parents (that they want a school). It could be an option … Where the community is, we have to build the school."

If elected, what are your priorities for the district in the next four years?

"Making sure all children are learning, proficient in reading and math … (and) upgrade our arts, which we are doing every year. Make sure students are ready before graduation, ready for the workforce or college ready. We have to make sure they are educated.

"At the same time, we have to make sure not only to educate the bottom, but stimulate the top, like student talent programs. We have to make sure we start foreign languages earlier, in elementary schools.

Dan Kuntz

The sales tax initiative has $2.5 million earmarked for the career and technical center. What is your opinion of the district using sales tax money to fund construction of a building?

"I obviously support the use of sales tax money for this particular effort. As past tax initiatives have done, it funds various capital improvement projects, including the school district. (Past) projects included the community bowl and Century High School.

When there was discussion, the last time we were able to get sales tax money was for the Century Projects and we were not able to get any more money under the current tax environment. When the half-cent sales tax came about, we did it so we could reduce our reliance on property tax to get that done."

What ways would you suggest the district fund the proposed $9 million career and technical center?

"If you recall at our budget planning meetings, I proposed setting money aside right now. Other board members agreed. Setting aside $2.5 million the next two to three years to build up the fund with part of the balance paid through sales tax or borrowing through the school construction fund would be my proposal."

Bismarck's growth is affecting enrollment capacities at elementary schools. Does the district need to change boundaries, build an elementary school or add to existing elementary schools?

"At this time I don't see us adding beyond what we've already done. We've set a level to not have beyond 450 to 500 students. Any other school is already at that (enrollment) level. Will we have to change boundaries and build an elementary school? We can't just keep building on to the same schools. We had had a lot of growth in the northeast and northwest. I think we can manage some of that with boundary changes. If growth continues we will build an elementary school. How far down the line, I don't know. Our student population is at levels it was 10 years ago because we had a decline."

If the district builds a new school, where would you place it?

"That depends on population situation at the time it is built. There are three realistic scenarios. Northwest Bismarck, the school district has a school site on north Washington. Northeast Bismarck, the district is looking at property in that area. A third prospect is Lincoln. It depends on the needs of the district when they get ready to build. If current trends continue, it will most likely be needed in northeast Bismarck."

What are your priorities for the district in the next four years?

"Certainly planning the completion of the career and technical center has got to be one. Another is improving the high school curriculum. We need to make sure students are ready for college or the work force. Third is keeping salaries competitive. We need to continue the progress of the last four to six years improving them and make sure we continue on that same path."

Marcia Olson

The sales tax initiative has $2.5 million earmarked for the career and technical center. What is your opinion of the district using sales tax money to fund construction of a building?

"We've used sales tax money in the past to fund construction projects, the Bismarck High School gym … as part of the betterment project.

"(The sales tax initiative) was one of those things when we were approached and told to add our name to the initiative, there was no project earmarked. We looked at our long list of needs, and the vocational technical building needed the most funding.

"If we have the opportunity and the combination of funds, we will be able to accomplish funding it in a shorter amount of time. It is a good use of public funds."

What ways would you suggest the district fund the proposed $9 million career and technical center?

"Right now I'm hoping, if we don't get money from sales tax money, that we can use the state construction fund over three years and the building fund, plus eight to 10 mills in the general fund. One of the other ways is an initiative. We would go to the community, (but) it takes a lot of years and a 60 percent supermajority."

Bismarck's growth is affecting enrollment capacities at elementary schools. Does the district need to change boundaries, build an elementary school or add to existing elementary schools?

"All of the above. That in fact is what we are trying to do. We are looking at addressing boundary changes as they come up. Boundary changes are not making any big difference … (Major) boundary changes would result in a lot of cross town busing, and that is not palatable to our parents. That is one of the ways to address (enrollment growth). It is possible adding on to schools like we have done to Miller and Murphy.

"Long term is the building of another school on the north side or totally redistricting and building a school in Lincoln and totally rearranging the boundaries in the next four years."

If the district builds a new school, where would you place it?

"Right now we just purchased property on the northwest side of Highway 83 and now are looking at property on the northeast side of Highway 83. We're holding options open for both sides. We haven't thrown out other options."

What are your priorities for the district in the next four years?

"My priorities include the vocational technical center that is under way. It was one of my goals during my first four years. I pushed for it to come to the forefront. I'm glad to see us as far along as we are.

"Addressing all day, every day kindergarten, revision of the high school curriculum program and making adequate yearly progress."

Steve Marquardt

The sales tax initiative has $2.5 million earmarked for the career and technical center. What is your opinion of the district using sales tax money to fund construction of a building?

"There's pros and cons on that. I'd like to read into it more, study more. I'm somewhat against it. I would discuss it among the people a little bit more.

"As far as the sales tax initiative, I would like to see (the items) brought up separately instead of lumped into one."

What ways would you suggest the district fund the proposed $9 million career and technical center?

"We would have to look at a little bit of all three (building fund, school construction fund and bond initiative). Build up the building fund and borrow from school construction. If that falls through, go to the voters."

Bismarck's growth is affecting enrollment capacities at elementary schools. Does the district need to change boundaries, build an elementary school or add to existing elementary schools?

"We need to build an elementary school, look at Jeannette Myhre (with streets and access) … as far as safety goes, take it out and build in Lincoln and funnel those students to where Lincoln students go now.

"Basically, what have to do is build another school to take care of growth. Where at, if it is north of Century or what, I don't know."

If the district builds a new school, where would you place it?

"We need to seriously think of Lincoln as one option, otherwise north of Century on Centennial. I do believe the district has land on 83, but not a prime area and there is land at auction the district might bid."

What are your priorities for the district in the next four years?

"I'd like to see what buildings and projects (in progress) finish out. I see updating older schools, lighted crosswalks, growing with Bismarck with a new school in Lincoln definite possibilities and one up to the north. I would like to visit with the public in a forum like the district has had before to discuss the best route and go from there."

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)