Board approves $23.13 million Thompson bid for Terrebonne High renovation after debate over alternates and acoustics

The Terrebonne Parish School Board on Jan. 6 approved awarding the renovation of Terrebonne High School to Thompson Construction Company LLC based on staff recommendation and the lowest responsive bid of $23,128,000. The board established a total project budget of $25,000,000, funded from the building fund and 2025 bond proceeds.

Staff recommended rejecting three alternates that would add roughly $229,000 (auditorium work), $79,000 (practice gym extended ductwork/acoustics) and $600,683 (bus canopy), citing that including all alternates would push the project over the established budget. Board members debated whether to accept alternate 2 (the $79,000 noise-control/ductwork work) while rejecting the other alternates.

Board member Matthew Ford moved to accept alternate 2 and reject alternates 1 and 3, arguing the $79,000 work would address persistent noise and space-use issues for volleyball and other activities: "Being that it's only 79,000 ... I think we should take into consideration that is something of extra on and we would not go over budget with that alternate number 2," he said. The motion was seconded but then pulled back and the board returned to the original motion; the original motion carried and the alternates remained rejected as recommended by staff. Several members urged staff and the architect to explore lower-cost acoustic alternatives that could bring decibel readings down without the full alternate scope.

Architect/engineer commentary focused on the mechanical nature of the gym's noise problem and the limits of acoustic panels alone. The architect (Mr. Rome) said acoustics alone "will not correct it ... it's a mechanical issue" and advised that a combined solution or alternative treatment might reduce costs while meeting performance goals.

Why it matters: The award begins a major capital renovation with a multiyear scope and material budget consequences. Board members pressed for solutions that balance cost control and functionality for students, particularly for performing arts, band, and athletics.

Next steps: Staff and the architect will continue to develop the scope; the board authorized execution of documents and the project will proceed under the established $25 million budget.