Schools sales tax initiative discussed

Candidates for Fargo School Board don't support a ballot measure that would replace a portion of property taxes for schools with a city sales tax.

Eight candidates who participated in Wednesday night's forum said the sales tax would be a short-term fix for property tax relief. But they encourage commercial development within the district as a way to take some of the burden off homeowners.

The half-cent sales tax will be voted on June 13, the same time voters elect five School Board members.

Incumbent Don Faulkner said he doesn't support the measure because sales taxes hit hardest those who are least able to afford it. Instead, the state needs to hold up its end of the funding, he said. He encourages collaboration between the School Board and other government agencies, especially when it comes to development.

Incumbent Dan Fremling said the tax would upset those from outside the district who might support a more fair state funding formula. Fargo needs all the friends in Bismarck it can get, he said. The board needs to be a strong advocate for commercial growth, he said.

Challenger Dinah Goldenberg said the sales tax idea is coming at the wrong time. She said she's confident a governor's panel studying state funding will come up with a solution for more equitable and adequate school funding. Until then, the district should wait to make major changes.

The sales tax is a bad idea, but the School Board also needs to find ways to control spending, said challenger Mark Herschlip. He's concerned that business won't build within the district because property taxes are too high and people will choose to live in less-expensive neighboring communities.

Challenger Ahmed Kamel said the district doesn't need to alienate its neighbors by forcing them to pay a sales tax for Fargo schools. The district should look at other forms of funding, such as grants, he said. He also supports finding ways to encourage commercial growth.

Incumbent Rick Steen said as a property tax payer he favors the sales tax measure, but as a School Board member he doesn't.

It's not the best way to fund education, he said. He supports communicating with the city on commercial development, but said the board doesn't have a lot of control over that issue.

Challenger Bill Williams said the key to property tax relief is to work at the state level for more equitable and adequate funding. A sales tax isn't fair to many people in the community, he said. The Fargo School District could only benefit from advocating more development, he said.

While incumbent Laura Carley doesn't support the sales tax, she is delighted that the issue was brought up. For the first time people are talking seriously about education funding, she said. Close communication with city government is key to making sure future commercial growth occurs in the Fargo School District, she said,

Candidate Darla Krank didn't attend the forum.

Candidates also addressed the district's gifted and talented program and the upcoming switch to identical grade configurations.

They also weighed in on whether they agreed with School Board decisions this year to maintain two challenged books within the school libraries and curriculum.

All but Herschlip said they supported the board's decision. Herschlip, who challenged one book and whose wife challenged the other, said he didn't agree with the decision.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Erin Hemme Froslie at (701) 241-5534