VIDALIA &045;&045; It takes a little optimism to look at the hole in the floor of the science classroom at Vidalia Upper Elementary and believe it will be ready for students in three weeks.

It takes more optimism to look at the busted-out wall in the space at Vidalia Junior High School that will soon be home to an expanded library.

But optimism is just what Concordia Parish administrators have &045;&045; and a signed contract with the company doing the work.

&uot;We are on schedule right now,&uot; Academic Affairs Director Fred Butcher said. &uot;I’m thinking and praying positive.&uot;

Contractors started some minor demolition and big renovations on libraries at Ferriday Lower and Vidalia Lower and on libraries and science labs at Vidalia Upper and Junior, Ferriday Upper and High School and in Monterey and Ridgecrest at the beginning of the summer.

All of the projects are slated to be complete by the start of the school year on Aug. 11.

The modernizations will include new furniture, computer wiring and equipment aimed at preparing the students to live in the modern world, Butcher has said.

The library work at Ferriday Lower is farther along than some others, with about 85 percent of the painting complete and floor and ceiling work ongoing.

Most of the furniture has been delivered and is being stored in hallways at the schools and around the district.

Contractors are working nights and weekends to complete the work.

Ferriday Lower Principal Loretta Peterman said the modern look will be appealing to the students and offer a meeting area for the teachers.

&uot;A totally new fresh look is very inviting for the children,&uot; Peterman said. &uot;They’ll be eager to go in there and look around. And the faculty and teachers get really excited about having something new and fresh, too.&uot;

Currently the school’s books are being stored in the gym, but Peterman said it will be a school-wide effort to get them in place before the children arrive.

&uot;We want everything to be ready for the children when they walk in,&uot; she said. &uot;It’s real important for children to see a nice-looking school and know it’s theirs.&uot;

Vidalia Upper Principal Darla Johnston said the new spaces will be a motivating factor for teachers and students.

&uot;They’ll notice that and be really excited,&uot; she said. &uot;They like anything new and exciting.&uot;

Some of the most extensive work is being done at VJHS where the wall between two rooms was torn down to create a larger library and two science classrooms are being renovated.

&uot;We are looking forward to it and keeping our fingers crossed it gets done on time,&uot; Principal Paul Nelson said.

Renovations also include energy efficient lighting and ductwork in some schools.

The work is paid for from the 13-mill property tax voters renewed last year.

The only schools not getting new libraries or science labs now are Vidalia High School and Ferriday Junior High School. VHS will receive a new building addition in the coming years that will house science classrooms and an expanded library. FJHS was rebuilt several years ago when the old school was destroyed by fire.