Bismarck School District officials narrowed down their list of potential sites for a future elementary school and hope to take a recommendation to the board by March.

The district is seriously pursuing a piece of property north of 43rd Avenue and west of U.S. Hwy. 83. Officials wouldn't comment on the exact location, but said they were in initial discussions of price.

"We have a favorite site, but if for some reason it doesn't work out, there are other possibilities in that area," Superintendent Paul Johnson said.

Economic and anticipated residential growth prompted administrators to accelerate their search for land, which started in 2003. At that time, officials said they were securing a location for future boards and had no plans to build an elementary school.

District officials said if recent enrollment growth continues, the need for a new building could surface in less than 10 years. In 2004, Bismarck schools gained more than 100 students, and this year's numbers point to similar increases.

"The pace of everything in the city has increased," Johnson said. "We have a clearer picture of where the high-density housing will be."

District officials were attracted to the area because it's zoned for single and multi-family housing developments, and city services - such as water and sewer - would already be in place.

Johnson said the board needs to move forward and secure property in north Bismarck, although it doesn't plan to build a new school in the near future. If the district doesn't, it will face increased costs.

"If you wait too long, the land will be taken up," Johnson said. "If we don't make a move, they'll sell it for housing."

Administrators have met with city officials and are looking at a joint venture with the Bismarck Park Board. Serious negotiations haven't been started, Johnson said.

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