During a meeting Tuesday, the Tamaqua School Board approved changes to the district's promotion and retention policy.

Previously, middle school students had several ways to earn promotion. They could pass all major subjects; fail one subject; fail two subjects but make one up in summer school; or fail three subjects but make two up in summer school.According to new language added to that policy, eighth graders must pass all major subjects. If they fail any during the regular school year, they have to pass it during summer school. They will only be promoted "upon the successful completion of Reading, Thinking and Writing, Math and Science during the regular year or summer school.""Also, with administrative approval, students that don't meet that criteria may be promoted based on a proficient or better score on the PSSA tests. Students may not fail the same subject in consecutive years.The board also approved the following coaches for the 2013-14 school year: Joseph Berezwick, Tamaqua, Head Girls' Basketball and Eighth Grade Girls' Basketball; Ashley Stanek, Head Swimming and Diving; and John Mashack, Quakake, Head Wrestling. Amanda Peters, Tamaqua, and Ken Mateyak, Andreas, were approved as volunteer Assistant Girls' Soccer coaches; and Nathaniel Leibensperger, Tamaqua, was approved as volunteer Assistant Swimming coach.District Business Manager Connie Ligenza informed the board that the district's price for fuel oil for the 2013-14 school year will be 2.97 per gallon, which is .40 lower than the district's current price. Tamaqua purchases fuel oil as part of a consortium under the umbrella of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29. The supplier for the consortium will be Talley Petroleum Enterprises. Ligenza said the district can purchase up to 15,000 gallons at that price.The board approved member Bob Betz to represent Tamaqua on the Intermediate Unit #29 Board of Directors. Betz will serve from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2016. The board also approved the retirement of elementary teacher Donna M Frantz, who will retire at the end of the 2012-13 school year.