District staff and contractors updated the Terrebonne Parish Buildings, Food Service & Transportation Committee on June 17 about progress at the South Terrebonne campus, the South Terrebonne Middle School project, and other locally funded facility work.

The updates matter because they set expectations for when damaged facilities will be returned to use, the schedule for the new middle school, and how temporary classroom modules will be removed after re‑occupancy.

Gary Beard, facilities staff, reported the contractor has finished installing lightweight concrete and is completing final roof layers on the football building; electricians had removed damaged equipment and will reinstall replacements after painting is complete. He said the auditorium has been sheetrocked, painted, and has ceiling grid installation underway; those finishes should make the auditorium “ready to go when school starts.” Beard said Entergy is scheduled to begin the energy transfer of old transformers to the new system the following day, a step needed to power chillers and complete finishes. On windows he reported, “The windows are scheduled to start tomorrow, weather permitting,” and said “all the parts and pieces are in.”

Board member Mr. Ford asked whether the district intends to occupy the building immediately upon completion; Beard answered, “Yes, sir,” and said the goal is to have occupancy by December 2025. Board members asked about timing to remove leased modular classrooms and walkways; Beard said the contractor will disassemble and retrieve them once the transfer back to the main building is complete and confirmed the decision to lease rather than purchase was deliberate to avoid disposal issues.

Shelley (project representative) reported on South Terrebonne Middle School that the notice to proceed was issued April 28 and the contractor has 600 days to complete the work, placing substantial completion on Dec. 19, 2026. She said earthwork and fill are in place and “about approximately 60 piles” have been driven; pre‑drilling is required in harder soil areas. Shelley said the contractor documented eight additional adverse weather days in May beyond the contract allowance; the contract specifications allow documented overages to justify a schedule extension if needed. The team was reviewing submittals and shop drawings; she reminded the committee the official groundbreaking would be held the following morning.

Merlin Leroux and other construction staff said ongoing coordination with FEMA remains important for other projects (Grand Cay and related sites) and that design adjustments had been submitted to FEMA to address square‑footage and HVAC component questions; staff said the revised mechanical approach (variable refrigerant flow systems) is less costly than some previous chiller designs for elevated buildings.

On locally funded projects and maintenance, staff reported a recent painting program and a new automated generator at one building. Facilities reported 409 work orders created and 195 completed in the most recent period. Board member Mr. Morrison asked staff to provide a month‑to‑month comparison of maintenance spending to track trends in dollars spent, and staff acknowledged the request.

No formal votes were recorded on these informational updates; staff said schedule and occupancy remain contingent on contractor performance, weather days and approvals such as utility transfers and FEMA coordination.

The committee adjourned after concluding the updates and reminding members of the scheduled groundbreaking.