VIDALIA, La. &045; The news

on the Concordia Parish School District’s financial status just keeps getting better.

Business Manager Tom O’Neal told the school board Tuesday night

he expects to be over budget by only just over $1 million, down from a previously projected nearly $4 million.

&uot;We took in more money than we spent,&uot; O’Neal said. &uot;Anyway you look at that, it’s a good thing.&uot;

Revenues for the year were expected to be around $21 million, but instead are going to be closer to $23 million. Expenditures expected to be $25 million were really closer to $24 million.

Even though the district will still come in over budget, O’Neal said the differences are great strides in the right direction.

The board also approved a land swap deal with the City of Vidalia that would exchange 100 by 100 plots of land near Vidalia High School. The exchange was pending approval at the board of alderman meeting, which was granted. The mayor previously told O’Neal he wanted the land for a new building, O’Neal said.

Board members agreed that swapping the land had no downside for the school district. The city asked for the land because they cannot build on the current plot, which contains a road.

In other business:

4The board appointed Brad Lipsey to serve as interim principal at Ridgecrest Elementary. Principal Stephanie Blunschi has taken a one-year medical leave. Lipsey worked at Monterey High School last year.

4Nancy Anders was appointed the new assistant principal at Vidalia Lower Elementary School. Anders has been serving as interim assistant under Doris Polk.