For the first time in its history, the Lincoln County School District has its own police force.

On Monday, Superintendent David Martin swore in five school resource officers who will work to protect and serve the students and staff at the schools.

The new officers are Lance Lewis, West Lincoln; John W. Leggett, Bogue Chitto; Ian Smith, West Lincoln; Casey Miller, Enterprise; and Eric Malone, Loyd Star.

“It’s an actual police department, same as any other department,” Martin said as he introduced the officers. “They’ve been at work already since school started and have been doing a great job.”

Malone added that he and the other officers “are going to do the best job that we can do. We are going to protect the staff, protect the students — that’s our major responsibility and we’ll do it to the best of our ability.”

The board also approved the following:

• Student transfers in, out and within the district, and an agreement with Region 8 for the new school year

• Assistant Superintendent Richelle Ratcliff’s recommendations concerning an agreement with Delta State University regarding student teachers for the 2022-2023 school year and an emergency license for one year for a certified employee for a Spanish endorsement

• Transportation Director Luke Addison’s recommendations for school bus turnarounds for the year

• SPED Director Heather Singley’s recommendation concerning an agreement with the Five County Child Development Program for the year

• Finance Director Sam Stewart’s recommendation of disposal of fixed assets, family medical leave for one employee, the flexible benefit plan for the year, the state mileage rate of .625 cents per mile effective July 1 and policy reimbursements, professional personnel expenses

• Principal Scott Merrell’s recommendation for a manual check to be cut for start-up gate money

• Principal Terry Brister’s recommendation for allowing several fundraisers

• Sixteenth Section recommendations by Stan Long

• Claims docket items presented by Stewart

• Changes to board meeting locations as follows: Nov. 17 at Central Office, Jan. 17 at Enterprise, Feb. 21 at Loyd Star, March 23 at West Lincoln and April 17 at Bogue Chitto.

The next meeting of the board will be at Central Office in Brookhaven at 5:30 Sept. 19.