Leaders have approved a contract extension for the superintendent of Birmingham's troubled school system.
The city school board extended Craig Witherspoon's contract by two years during a meeting Tuesday.
Some members weren't happy, saying they felt pressured to vote because of state support for Witherspoon. The extension passed on a 5-4 vote.
The state took over Birmingham's city school system in June, citing financial problems. The system lacks sufficient funding reserves required under a state law.
Board members previously tried to fire Witherspoon. He says he now wants to focus on moving the system forward.
The system is under the fiscal control of a state-appointed financial officer. Board members must slash $12 million from the budget, which could mean job cuts and school consolidations or closings.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.