The Terrebonne Parish School Board on Oct. 21 approved a $95,770 change order for South Terrebonne High School to replace 47 toilets and renovate restrooms 1‑64 and 1‑65 for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

Board member Debbie Benoit raised the motion during committee reports and objected to the timing and price, saying she learned “right before the board meeting” that the toilets had been installed without full-board approval and that the cost figures did not make sense to her. “These estimates had us all scratching our heads,” Benoit said, noting concerns about the apparent ratio of material to labor and asking for an explanation of how the number was reached.

Board member Matthew Ford and others pressed for context and a cost breakdown. A district representative explained that material cost per toilet was $219.14, removal cost $2,225 per toilet and reinstallation $386 per toilet, and that additional charges reflect general‑contractor profit, bond fees and the complexity of wall‑mounted commercial fixtures and 50‑ to 60‑year‑old parts that sometimes must be sourced from New Orleans. The district also said ADA restroom work alone was estimated at roughly $53,000 for the required parts and labor.

Superintendent Bubba Ojeron and committee members said contractors were already on site and that delaying work to re‑bid the project would likely push the school‑opening timeline beyond the district’s January target. “If we wait another three weeks, guess what? … January is off,” a committee speaker said in explaining the scheduling pressure.

Several board members pushed for an independent audit and clearer procurement controls going forward, arguing that even if the work was necessary, the board should not allow projects to proceed without prior approval. “If we allow things to go without board approval, no telling who and what and where it’s gonna be done,” said Roger Dale DeHart.

The board called the question and, after recorded objections from several members, approved the recommendation. The committee report and corresponding change order were carried as presented; board officials said the district will provide a detailed cost breakdown and that an audit or post‑action review could follow.

The vote concluded the debate; the project is funded in part by the general operating fund (for the toilet work) and other repairs have FEMA reimbursement components, as disclosed in committee materials. The board moved on to other committee reports at the same meeting.