Page 126 - 2022 Annual Report 2022 FINAL
P. 126

PK-12 PRACTICE REPORT

               INTRODUCTION


               The unified vision for FGMA’s PK-12 practice is thus: We will enhance our practice by maintaining deep
               relationships, striving to become an “extension” of our clients’ teams. We will give clients the comfort and
               confidence that motivates them to seek our help at all stages, including thinking through ideas before
               specific needs emerge. As a practice, we will especially emphasize being stronger together through well-
               organized teams, skilled leaders/mentors, and knowledge-sharing processes that bring our individual
               expertise together for clients.

               Overall, 2022 was a successful year for the PK-12 team.  Here are some highlights followed by detailed
               reports from each region.
                   •   Nationwide, the PK-12 construction market remains strong, and is overheated in some places.
                       Supply chain challenges continue to complicate building projects.  School districts are bracing for
                       a possible recession as well as the expiration of federal ESSER funds.  That said, there will likely
                       be an infusion of new money through the federal Inflation Reduction Act and voters continue to
                       approve many school district construction referendums.
                   •   The Chicago and St. Louis regions experienced revenue growth due to continued demand from
                       the Illinois school market.
                   •   In the Chicago region, the PK-12 team continues to work on a mix of small and large projects.
                       New school district clients hold the promise of significant future work.
                   •   Chicago PK-12 staff promoted FGMA’s capabilities at numerous conferences detailed further in
                       this report.
                   •   The Chicago PK-12 team continues to promote the significance of the Prairie Trails Early Learning
                       Center net zero energy project at both state and national conferences.
                   •   Because of the ways that school districts procure professional services, growth in the Missouri and
                       Wisconsin PK-12 is an ongoing challenge.  We continue to look for ways to win new and
                       profitable work in these states.
                   •   The St. Louis PK-12 team promotes the FGMA PK-12 brand by attending conferences including
                       the MO Association of Rural Educators and the MO School Board Association.  FGMA is a new
                       member of the MO Association of School Administrators and will lead a roundtable at its March
                       2023 Women in Leadership conference.
                   •   The St. Louis PK-12 team is reaping the benefits of FGMA’s long-standing relationships with local
                       school districts.  For example, we’re now designing an addition to a Highland SD school that
                       FGMA originally built in 2002.  We’re also working on completing a 28,000-sf of shelled space
                       that we designed 10 years ago for Mascoutah High School.
                   •   In Texas, our PK-12 team has taken a leap forward with the appointment of Steve Hafer, AIA, as
                       Texas Education Leader and Ashley Wells as Interior Designer.  With the ongoing expertise of
                       Rebecca Richter and Rich DePalma as well as the opening of our new office in Fort Worth, we’ll
                       continue to build inroads in the North and Central TX PK-12 marketplace.  The strategic focus is
                       on building relationships with public decision makers, consultants, contractors and school district
                       leaders.  We’re seeing promising progress in how FGMA’s proposals are being ranked against
                       competitors that are long-established in the TX market.




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