Andalusia Superintendent Ted Watson said the City of Andalusia has “sent the calvary” to help the school system get spruced up and ready for the new year.

The most significant changes will be visible tonight, he said, football fans attend the annual alumni game.

“We got started on this,” he said. “And then the calvary shows up.”

In the stadium, the bleachers have been pressure-washed, the press box has a fresh coat of paint, and an interior wall has been painted black. Landscaping has been added outside of the stadium, and an erosion problem has been corrected. School and city personnel, as well as a number of volunteers, have worked on the project.

“It pops like a shiny new quarter.”

Changes also will be evident Monday when Andalusia City Schools hosts all school personnel in the county for back-to-school inservice. Coach Jim Johnson, author of “A Coach and a Miracle,” will be the guest speaker.

In the auditorium, the arms of chairs have been cleaned, all lights are working, and some painting has been completed.

“The auditorium is not where we want it to be, but it is 1,000 times better than it was,” he said.

In the lobby area of the auditorium, the ceiling was painted black, and for the first time, Watson said, all 13 of the school’s state championship trophies are on display in one case.

In school suspension has been moved to the band room, which also was updated with paint, new flooring, and a repaired air conditioner, he said.

Much of the work done by city employees was completed on rainy days when they couldn’t work outside, he said.

“I’m here to say ‘thanks so much,’ ” Watson said. “We know we’ve got more to do, but your help is what having a good community is all about. Helping each other.”