Contracts for principals and administration personnel were approved by the Mineral Springs Saratoga School Board, Monday night, in its meeting for February.

Principals Charles Hanson, Saratoga and Mineral Springs elementary schools; Davey Jones, MS high school principal; Jeanie Gorham, Federal Program Coordinator and school improvement specialist; bookkeeper Marla Williams; and district treasurer Frankei Darr, all got unanimous contract approval from the board.

The board accepted the resignation of Henry Brown, veteran board member from Zone 1.

An offer from the Hempstead County Sheriff was mentioned. Sheriff James Singleton had offered the services of a ‘resource officer’ at Saratoga for the 2013-14 school year for the price of $23,500. Interim Supt. Bill Blackwood told the board he suspected the federal goverment would come up with some kind of law enforcement presence legislation for schools, and said the proposal was for the board’s future consideration.

Supt. Blackwood also asked the board to reimburse two MS teachers their tuition costs for getting extra accreditation. The teachers are Judy Cassady and Crystal Evans. He also asked for some extra compensation for Jeanie Gorham who spent several months as acting superintendent while maintaining her own responsibilities as MS Elementary principal. By a vote of 4-2 the request for Gorham was approved. Voting against the motion were Dale Gathright, Jr., and Dornell Trotter.

Although no specific amount was mentioned during the board meeting, Supt. Blackwod said Tuesday morning that he proposed a figure of about $7,200 for Gorham’s extra work.

The board also voted unanimously to refinance construction bonds which will result in a savings of $283,000 for the district.

Present Monday night were board members Gathright, Trotter, William Dixon, Linda Ross, Joann Walker and chairman Mike Erwin. Also present were Supt. Blackwood, Gorham, Hanson and Jones.