VIDALIA, La. &045; Dr. Paul Nelson, assistant principal at Vidalia Junior High School, said he is excited about being named the new principal for Vidalia Lower Elementary School.

The Concordia Parish School Board named Nelson to the position in a meeting held Tuesday. Nelson will take over in late June.

Nelson said he doesn’t foresee making any major changes at Vidalia Lower.

&uot;The school is already successful,&uot; Nelson said.

Nelson said he wants to be supportive of the teachers and faculty to be successful in the classroom.

&uot;I’m hoping to go in and be very open-minded,&uot; Nelson said.

In response to one of the board members’ disapproval of the decision, Nelson said &uot;as a disciplinarian of a school I can’t always make decisions everyone is going to be happy with.&uot;

&uot;I’m a disciplinarian of 420 teenagers and sometimes parents don’t agree with me,&uot; Nelson said.

Current principal of Vidalia Lower Elementary, Gary Parnham, is pleased with the board’s decision, but knows it was a hard decision.

&uot;I think we had six excellent applications and am pleased with their choice,&uot; Parnham said.

Parnham is retiring as principal of Vidalia Lower after 25 years of service and 38 years in the school system.

&uot;It’s been enjoyable and an honor to be the principal that long,&uot; Parnham said. &uot;A good staff made my job easier.&uot;

&uot;The Lord has blessed me,&uot; Parnham said.

&uot;What will I miss the most? The children and my staff,&uot; he said.

&uot;I have a really good staff, we’re like a family.&uot;

Parnham said he plans to take a year off and enjoy his grandchildren with his wife, who is also retiring with him.

Visiting a daughter in Shreveport, fishing, golfing and traveling are a few things Parnham and his wife plan to do during their retirement.