Will the dinner portion disappear from Tamaqua Area School District's student recognition dinner, turning the affair into an awards presentation without a meal?

School board members are mulling over the pros and cons.An independent committee coordinates the dinner, but the discussion came up at Tuesday's finance committee meeting because the board routinely approves an $8 per student subsidy toward the $15 ticket.Those expenses could be avoided if changes were made to the event."It could go to the auditorium for a scholarly type presentation instead of a sit-down dinner," said Superintendent Carol Makuta.The dinner has been a Tamaqua tradition for 54 years. At one time it was held inside the high school cafeteria. More recently, it moved to the elementary school cafeteria.According to information provided to the TIMES NEWS by Jean Ann Towle of the recognition committee, the event celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008.The event traces its roots to 1958 when John Keich, a Tamaqua student, designed and made plans for a single-engine airplane for his Tamaqua Science Fair project. The plans were judged grand champion of the Allentown District Science Fair and advanced to the National Science Fair in Chicago.Keich was feted by the Tamaqua Rotary Club upon his return to Tamaqua and that seedling event led to today's student recognition program.The discussion about eliminating the meal portion of the evening arose last year with mixed feelings. There are strong sentiments on both sides of the issue.Some feel the $15-per-plate dinner can quickly become expensive, precluding attendance by some of the honorees' extended family members. In addition, there are students who'd rather not sit through a dinner.Plus, an awards ceremony without a dinner would essentially be free of cost to students and families.On the other hand, some parents feel the dinner is a more relaxed tradition that carries its own special character and tradition. The dinner typically honors about 50 students.The board will determine how far plans have come for this year's event and will discuss the matter at their next meeting.Contracts for technologyIn other action, the board is expected to approve the purchase of Simplex-Grinnell wireless clocks and head-end equipment totalling $14,893. The clocks will be used at Tamaqua Elementary School."Atomic clocks don't quite work because of the buildings," said Art Oakes, Jr., facilities manager, who explained that a roof antenna would be required."They'd be powered over the Internet," said Technology Director Ken Dunkelberger.Makuta said the matter is deemed important by elementary school administration.In other action, the board is expected to enter into a three-year contract with PenTeleData beginning July 1, 2012, to and including June 30, 2015, for district-wide Internet and wireless area network service at a cost of $76,560. After applying the district's e-rate, a process through the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, would allow for a discount of 60 percent, reducing the net cost to $30,624.The board is also expected to enter into a contract with Service Electric Telephone beginning July 1, 2012, to and including June 30, 2015, for telephone service at a cost of $11,724 per year, which will net to $4,690 once the e-rate discount is applied.The education committee will provide a first reading of the dress and grooming policy which is expected to include a stipulation that shoelace color needs to match the body of the shoe.The finance committee reported that the Schuylkill Technology Center budget calls for an overall increase of $19,700. However the Center has decreased the overall responsibility for the districts. As a result, Tamaqua's share for next year is expected to be $535,254, which the district sees as good news.In addition, the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit budget will result in over $10,000 in projected savings for the district.The auxiliary committee reported that a memorandum of understanding is in the works with St. Luke's Community Health Department to provide vision testing for students via a van that will visit the schools. It is expected to function similar to an existing dental check-up program.The finance committee also will recommend that the board appoint Professional School Photography as the district's photographer for the 2012-13 school year.A budget meeting will take place Wednesday, March 14, at 6 p.m., with a second budget meeting slated for April 17 at 6 p.m.