The Terrebonne Parish School Board voted May 20 to continue using the Houma Courier as its official journal for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, citing the publications ability to meet the legal requirements for public notices within the districts required radius.

Board member Matthew Ford said the Courier is the only local publication that meets the legal circulation requirements and that the district has little option unless another publisher steps forward. "Until someone else steps up and meets those requirements with readership, it's just not gonna happen," Ford said.

Finance staff reported the district spent about $28,000 with the Courier in the current fiscal year for required public notices including bids, job advertisements and board minutes. Staff explained the paper charges per-line or per-word rates for publishing official notices and that total costs vary with volume.

Several board members criticized the Couriers local coverage and outreach. Ford said the paper quickly covers negative stories but does not consistently publish positive district news or student achievements without charging, and that online subscription requirements limit public readership. He also said he had concerns about the papers recent staffing and editorial capacity, and that he wants better coverage of district events.

Board member members and staff discussed whether state rules restrict the districts choice of journal of record; one board member suggested contacting state legislators to seek statutory changes to allow more publishing options. The board approved the renewal at current rates with no objections.

Board members asked staff to provide line-item rates from the Courier for official notices and to track annual spending for future consideration.