VIDALIA, La. &045; If the chairs in the room were any indication, Vidalia High administrators weren’t expecting the redesign participation they got.

More than 100 students and parents crowded in for a Thursday night meeting to sign up for three new course offerings at the school.

In a senior class with about 100 students, 36 came to sign up for night classes, online classes or vocational classes.

&uot;It’s more than I expected, but it’s what I was hoping for,&uot; Principal Rick Brown said.

The school is one of eight in the state awarded more than $100,000 in grants to pilot the state’s redesign program.

School started Thursday and students have only a few days to sign up for many of the new offerings.

Applications for some of the courses are due back as early as Monday, when Brown and staff will start trying to make the schedules work.

&uot;We are going to try to accommodate as many of you as we can,&uot; Brown said.

&uot;I can’t see any downside to any of this.&uot;

Thursday night’s meeting gave parents and students the chance to meet with representatives from the Shelby M. Jackson Louisiana Technical College and ask questions about the other programs.

Senior Meaghan Ables said she was most interested in the certified nurse assistant program at the technical college.

&uot;That’s probably what I want to go into,&uot; she said. &uot;My mom has been nagging me all week about this.&uot;

The CNA program and welding and air conditioner repair classes will be offered free of charge at the Ferriday campus. VHS’ grant will cover the cost of transportation, tuition and supplies.

Logan Massey said he was thinking about taking the advanced math online course for college credit.

&uot;I know I want to take it,&uot; he said. &uot;But I’m just kind of nervous about taking advanced math.&uot;

The math class is one of three college courses offered online through dual enrollment. Student must meet academic requirements to qualify.

Performance in the class goes on their college transcript.

Students can also take classes through the Louisiana Virtual School, but must sign up before the classes fill.

Josh Shelton said he was interested in the math class too, but was looking at other options.

&uot;I’m going to try to take the night class so I can work during the day,&uot; he said.

The University of Louisiana Monroe is offering Psychology 201 every Monday at 5:30 p.m. in Vidalia. Students must also meet academic requirements to enroll.

Students who take online courses or technical college classes will spend part of their school hours on the work. The nursing class is a one-semester program from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the shop classes are two semesters at the same time.

&uot;I might take the welding, so when I go to college I’ll be able to work and make some money at the same time,&uot; senior Cole Rutherford said.