FAIRMONT – ICS showed they’ve continued to keep the ball rolling through their project timeline during Tuesday’s Fairmont School Board meeting.

The group first started working on it this time last year, doing needs assessments and survey work to identify what needs there were and problems could be addressed.

ICS Business Development Executive Pat Overom said a lot of progress has been made in the last year, and they are still on the timeline agreed to at the very beginning.

“A lot of time spent reviewing initial needs,” he said. “Developing and evaluating different solutions and alternatives. That’s been at the forefront with this district, knowing we’ve got to be respectful of community and taxpayer dollars. We’re not going to be able to address all of the needs identified. It’s a matter of strategically bundling those while remaining sensitive to the tax impacts.”

Since the last time this was discussed, Overom said they have been able to take a deeper look at plumbing. He said it was on their list of priorities but the investigation process had not started until now.

“[Now] we’re going to learn a lot more about the needs associated with the plumbing infrastructure,” Overom said.

Other building matters are also currently being observed to see where and what updates could be packaged together.

“Music and orchestra, really rounding out and making those program spaces whole,” Overom said. “Ensuring those programs have the right support spaces and are brought up to current standards. Looking at the secure entry and administrative office and how that sequence works; what existing office space can be repurposed more efficiently and cost-effectively to support programs.”

Looking forward, Overom said they are close to identifying their approach addressing Fairmont’s needs.

“We’ll work with you to continue refining those scopes,” he said. “Finalizing the funding strategies and how we leverage those at your disposal to address some of this work. We’ll continue to communicate with stakeholders and seek input, internally and externally. Ultimately, over the next few months, we’ll end up working with you to formalize a game plan.”

School Board Bember Dan Brookens commended Overom on their work thus far and the benefits it can bring to Fairmont schools.

“I’ve always been a believer in staying ahead of problems before they become problems,” Brookens said. “I think we’ve pinpointed on a pretty good idea of the things we’d like to see to get the maximum life out of our buildings and keep them places where people enjoy coming to work and learn.”

Diving into particulars, School Board Member Michael Edman said he believes the thorough nature of ICS’s work has helped avoid surprises during the process.

“You guys are doing your due diligence,” he said. “You’re saying, ‘Here’s what we think, and here’s how we’re going to know.’ That’s that’s not how everyone operates. It gives the board knowledge about what to do, not what we think.”

In other news:

— Superintendent Andy Traetow discussed his meeting with Activities Director Mat Mahoney. Traetow said it centered around the upcoming sports section realignment year in 2025-26. “They review enrollments and classifications for different schools,” he said. “We looked at some budget items, activity staffing, as well as platforms for parent feedback.”

— The 2025-26 school year calendar was approved. Winter Break will be from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2. School Board member Nicole Green said unless there’s a particularly nasty winter, the last school day will be June 3, 2026. Graduation will be held May 31. Edman asked for a more detailed key to be included when the schedules are printed, as some of the changes and events are not included.