Terrebonne Parish School Board approves contract extension and multiple Hurricane Ida repair change orders; moves to executive session

The Terrebonne Parish School Board voted Feb. 4, 2025, to extend a construction project management contract and approve four change orders tied to Hurricane Ida repairs, authorized funding from FEMA reimbursements and local sources for the work, approved two family-and-medical leaves, accepted committee reports and then moved into executive session to discuss pending litigation.

The actions were taken during the regular meeting at the school board office boardroom. Board members who made motions and seconds spoke during committee reports and the superintendent’s agenda; several items were presented by district staff and a representative of a contractor invited to address the board.

The most significant financial votes were taken on recommendations from the Buildings, Food Service and Transportation Committee. The board approved an extension of the existing construction project management services contract with Hammerman and Gainer LLC to continue work on the South Terrebonne High School repair project. The extension preserves the current hourly rates and a compensation limit of 4 percent of each final approved project worksheet, and authorizes the firm for a maximum period from Feb. 6, 2025, to Feb. 6, 2026, pending board attorney review and approval. Lou Reswerber, introduced himself as “CEO of HGI” and told the board it had been “an absolute honor and privilege” to serve the district.

The board also approved four change orders tied to hurricane response building repairs, with funding sources noted for each: a $159,209.46 change order at Evergreen Junior High to replace windows and doors on the west side of the music shop building and add HVAC, funded by FEMA reimbursement ($89,323.67) and local funds ($69,885.79); a $96,714.00 change order for additional standing-seam roof panels at the Fletcher Building, funded by FEMA reimbursement ($87,042.60) and local funds ($9,671.40); South Terrebonne High School change order No. 5 for $47,942.31 to remove and replace damaged quarry tile and mud bed in locker rooms and restrooms (FEMA $43,148.08; local $4,794.23); and South Terrebonne High School change order No. 6 for $238,403.80 to replace all windows, with funds to be derived from the district’s building fund.

Board members asked clarifying questions on timing and funding. In response to queries about the contract extension’s term, board members were told the extension runs through Feb. 6, 2026, but if the project completes earlier the engagement would end at project completion. Board members also asked whether the district had searched for outside grants or tax-credit programs for window replacements; staff said the district is pursuing available grants when practical and would continue to do so, but recommended approving the change orders to avoid delaying construction work.

On personnel matters the board approved two family-and-medical leaves under district policy F-11.4a: for Mariah L. Martin, teacher at Grand Caillou Middle School, from Jan. 21 through April 29, 2025; and for Corey M. Defiles, paraprofessional at Southdown Elementary School, from Jan. 22 through April 30, 2025. Both leaves were presented on the superintendent’s agenda and were approved after motion and second.

The Education, Technology and Policy Committee report — which included presentations on band and choir programs, career and technical education, NIET/LDOE on-site support visits, lockdown kits funded by a state grant, pre-K registration and librarian transfers — was accepted as presented.

Finally, the board approved a motion to move into executive session to discuss pending litigation: Cynthia Yuzay, individually and on behalf of her minor child, v. Terrebonne Parish School Board, docket number 188122 in the 30th Judicial District Court, Parish of Terrebonne, State of Louisiana.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of Jan. 7, 2025, and the special emergency meeting of Jan. 28, 2025 — Moved by Debbie Benoit; seconded by (Mr.) Harding; no objections were voiced and the motion carried.

- Extension of construction project management contract with Hammerman and Gainer LLC for South Terrebonne High School repairs (compensation limit 4% per final project worksheet; same hourly rates; term Feb. 6, 2025–Feb. 6, 2026; pending attorney review) — Moved by Mr. Forbes; seconded by Dr. Cloche; no objections were voiced and the motion carried.

- Change order No. 7, Evergreen Junior High (replace windows/doors on music shop west side; add HVAC) — $159,209.46; FEMA reimbursement $89,323.67; local funds $69,885.79; motion moved by Mr. Ford; seconded by Dr. Cloche; no objections were voiced and the motion carried.

- Change order No. 1, Fletcher Building (additional standing-seam roof panels) — $96,714.00; FEMA $87,042.60; local $9,671.40; moved by Mr. Ford; seconded by Ms. Crowder; no objections were voiced and the motion carried.

- South Terrebonne High School change order No. 5 (replace damaged quarry tile and mud bed in locker rooms/restrooms) — $47,942.31; FEMA $43,148.08; local $4,794.23; moved by Mr. Crowdus; seconded by Ms. Ford; no objections were voiced and the motion carried.

- South Terrebonne High School change order No. 6 (replace all windows) — $238,403.80; funds from building fund; moved by Mr. Crowdus; seconded by Ms. Ford; no objections were voiced and the motion carried.

- Approval of family-and-medical leave for Mariah L. Martin (Grand Caillou Middle School) under policy F-11.4a, Jan. 21–April 29, 2025 — moved by Dr. Budd; seconded by Dr. Trahan; no objections voiced and the motion carried.

- Approval of family-and-medical leave for Corey M. Defiles (Southdown Elementary) under policy F-11.4a, Jan. 22–April 30, 2025 — moved by Mr. Krautis; seconded by Dr. Trahan; no objections voiced and the motion carried.

- Acceptance of the Education, Technology and Policy Committee report — moved by Mr. Krautis; seconded by Debbie Benoit; motion carried.

- Motion to move into executive session to discuss pending litigation (Cynthia Yuzay v. Terrebonne Parish School Board, docket No. 188122) — moved by Mr. Ford; seconded by Debbie Benoit; motion carried and the board entered executive session.

Context and next steps

The majority of the spending votes were tied to ongoing Hurricane Ida repair projects and relied in part on FEMA reimbursements and existing building-fund balances. Board members emphasized completing repairs without undue delay; staff noted they will continue to seek outside grants or programs where applicable. The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session for a pending court case, which the board said would be discussed privately under the executive-session rules.

Ending

The board conducted multiple committee reports and routine personnel approvals in a meeting that focused on completing hurricane-related school repairs. Where the board approved funds contingent on FEMA reimbursement or attorney review, staff will return with required documents or further details as projects progress.