The Terrebonne Parish School District is exploring a plan to merge Bourg and Montegut Elementary into the soon‑to‑be vacant Montegut Middle School building, district officials said during an informational meeting on Aug. 18. The two elementary schools operate in buildings that are more than a century old; together they serve just over 500 students.
What officials presented
Superintendent Cory Butler brought an architect, Andy Positerry, before the district’s Building, Food Service and Transportation Committee to outline the possible scope of renovating the middle school to accommodate elementary students. The session was explicitly described as informational rather than a request for approval or funding.
“That’s why we set this up as an informational item which could potentially be,” Butler said. “Obviously there are no final decisions — we haven’t allocated not one dime towards this project just yet. I want to be clear on that.”
Positerry summarised areas that would require work if the district moved forward with a consolidation project. Those items include changes to entry points to improve security, accessibility upgrades for washrooms and exits, reconfiguring library space to create more instructional rooms and a complete roof replacement.
- Security upgrades: alterations to main entry points and circulation to better control access.
- Accessibility improvements: bathroom renovations and installation of a ramp at a rear exit to comply with handicap access needs.
- Interior reconfiguration: reducing the size of the library to gain additional classroom space.
- Major envelope work: a full roof replacement on the middle school building.
Why the idea is on the table
Butler noted that the district would be moving from two very old school sites into a relatively newer building that will soon be unoccupied. He framed the proposal partly in terms of practicality and risk management, referring to the vulnerability of older facilities during severe weather.
“We have a building that is relatively new that will be unoccupied as opposed to two buildings that are over 100 years old,” Butler said. “They are two sites that have been spared, but I don’t think we really want to find ourselves in the same position as we find ourselves currently in as a result of Hurricane Ida.”
The committee took no action after the architect’s presentation. No funding has been allocated and no binding decision has been made by the school board. The presentation and discussion were recorded and made available online by the district.
Local implications and next steps
If the district ultimately decides to consolidate Bourg and Montegut Elementary into the Montegut Middle School facility, the move would have several immediate implications for students, staff and the community:
- Potential improvements in safety and accessibility at the consolidated site, should the proposed upgrades be completed.
- Changes in building use and student transportation patterns as two school communities relocate to a single campus.
- Costs and timelines for renovations, which have not yet been estimated or funded by the board.
At this stage, officials have characterised the exercise as exploratory. The district has engaged an architect to describe required work and constraints, but it has not requested capital approvals or earmarked money for design, construction or other steps. Committee minutes show the presentation was intended to inform trustees, staff and the public and to shape any future formal proposal that might come to the board.
| Item | Known detail |
|---|---|
| Combined student population | Just over 500 students |
| Buildings to be vacated | Two elementary schools, each over 100 years old |
| Receiving building | Montegut Middle School — soon to be vacant |
| Funding status | No funds allocated; no final decision |
Board members and the public will likely await a formal proposal if district staff decide to pursue the consolidation. Any such plan would require detailed cost estimates, a timeline for renovations and a funding strategy before it could move to a vote. For now, the report remains a planning exercise to be followed by further study and community engagement.
The committee’s discussion and the architect’s presentation are publicly accessible via the district’s posted video of the meeting.
