Terrebonne board awards $19.48 million contract to build Upper Little Caillou Elementary with FEMA funding

The Terrebonne Parish School Board on Dec. 2 approved awarding the construction contract for Upper Little Caillou Elementary School to Thompson Construction Company, LLC, for $19,477,500 and set a total project budget of $23,353,938, including a 10% contingency.

Board member Dr. Mabel Trahan moved the recommendation and Matthew Ford seconded. Trahan told the board staff and partners had worked for more than four years to secure FEMA reimbursement for the project. "FEMA is reimbursing this district $20,000,000 for the project," she said, and noted the district's local share would be substantially smaller. Board discussion referenced alternates included in the award: $325,000 to add an elevator shaft and secure entry vestibule and $45,000 for marker and tack boards.

The board resolution authorized the board president or superintendent to execute required documents. District staff said funds will be derived primarily from FEMA reimbursement of $20,726,044.20 with local funds covering the remainder (recorded in the meeting as $2,627,893.80). Superintendent and staff described the approval as the product of years of coordination between architects, FEMA, and district staff; multiple board members praised the work and said the new building will return students to their neighborhood school.

The board approved the motion by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tally. Construction timelines and contractor start dates were not specified in the motion; staff said more detailed scheduling information can be provided after contract execution.