BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- A judge has ruled that the state Department of Education will remain in control of the Birmingham school system and Birmingham school Superintendent Craig Witherspoon will continue in his job.

Circuit Judge Houston Brown granted injunctions Monday against the Birmingham Board of Education. Brown ruled the takeover of the Birmingham system by the state Department of Education was valid. The judge also ruled that state Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice had the legal authority to override a Birmingham school board vote last month to dismiss Witherspoon. The judge said Bice's order to reinstate Witherspoon was valid.

The suits are part of the legal battle that has gone on since the state department decided to take over the Birmingham schools on June 26 due to financial problems.