The Moore County School Board is adding new ethical safeguards to the contract for the architectural firm selected to design a new high school.
The firm, SFL&A Architecture, is in line to earn $8.8 million for the project if a voter-approved bond passes. To prevent any appearance of political influence, the board voted to include language that bans the firm and its leadership from making political donations to school board or county commissioner candidates during the bond campaign.
Board members raised concerns that political contributions by vendors could be seen as “pay-to-play” politics. The firm agreed to the restriction.
The board is expected to vote on formally endorsing the firm at its January 12 meeting.