The Fargo Board of Education voted to award a contract to ICON Architectural Group to provide architectural services for a new elementary school at the Horace Mann site.

Superintendent Dr. Steiner said the district received architect qualifications on Aug. 7 and interviewed a short list of firms on Aug. 26. He and staff recommended ICON because, he said, the firm appeared ready “to hit the ground running” and to build on the district’s predesign work, design standards and educational specifications.

Nut graf: The selection advances planning for a new elementary at Horace Mann and is intended to accelerate design milestones by relying on the district’s pre-existing standards; the board approved the contract by roll call after one member declared a legal conflict and abstained from discussion and voting.

In discussion, a representative for the project—identified in the meeting as James—told the board ICON “took everything up a notch” and had already closely reviewed the district’s ed specs and design standards, which the district provided to all interview firms. Bill, a district staff member involved in the interviews, said ICON’s past work on school consolidations stood out, including a design approach that incorporated student input and a large “recognition wall” honoring feeder schools.

Board member Melissa announced before the vote that, after consulting with legal counsel, she “determined that I have a conflict under North Dakota Century Code and our board policy GP 11. So, I will be abstaining from conversation and voting for this.” The board then took a motion to accept ICON’s proposal; Greg moved the motion and Nikki seconded. The roll-call vote recorded eight yes votes and no opposition; Melissa did not vote. The motion passed with an 8-0 recorded vote.

The board discussed that ICON’s plan could allow the district to move more quickly from schematic concepts to design development because much of the programmatic work (ed specs and standards) is already completed. Dr. Steiner said that efficiency will be important with a construction start targeted for next summer.

The board did not adopt any design changes at the meeting; trustees asked that ICON work with the district to refine the standards and ensure the building supports instructional models the district may pursue, such as team-teaching. No price or contract terms were finalized during the public meeting; the action at this session authorized the district to issue a contract for architectural services.

Ending: Board members thanked the interview team and noted next steps will include design development, public engagement and continued refinement of the district’s standards as the project moves into the design phase.