Tamaqua Area School District has hired a new assistant high school principal.

On a 7-0 vote Tuesday, the school board appointed Ray Lenhart as assistant high school principal, at a salary of $70,000. Directors Thomas Rottet and Wanda Zuber were absent.Lenhart, 32, is currently the principal at Behavioral Health Associates in Lehighton.A graduate of Lehighton Area High School, Lenhart received his bachelor's degree from Misericordia University in elementary education and special education; his master's degree from McDaniel College in administration and curriculum and instruction; and holds Pennsylvania Certifications in Special Education PK-12 and Principal PK-12.Lenhart expressed enthusiasm over his new position."I am thrilled to be chosen for this position because I join a strong and ambitious administrative team, high school staff and school board.""I am in a positive situation in being an assistant principal to Thomas McCabe," Lenhart said. "I am looking forward to getting to know the staff, as well as working with students to assist them in reaching their goals."Lenhart said he believes his experience will serve him well in his new role."I bring a tremendous background in special education, behavior management, working with challenging students and supporting staff through professional development," he said. "I also bring a positive attitude, and team-player mentality to the school climate."Lenhart said he has high aspirations for the position."My goal is to work with everyone to be better in every way possible, help everyone reach their goals, and to find solutions to problems," he said. "I want to work with students to use our high school as a place to learn, grow and excel."Lenhart will replace current high school Assistant Principal McCabe, who last month was appointed as high school principal for the 2016-17 school year, at a salary of $83,000.McCabe has served as assistant high school principal since April 19, 2011.His promotion comes after the board in April appointed current high school Principal Stephen P. Toth as assistant superintendent, effective Aug. 26.Toth was hired by Tamaqua as assistant high school principal, and promoted to high school principal Feb. 15, 2011.He will replace current Assistant Superintendent Raymond Kinder, who in March was appointed by the board as district superintendent, effective Aug. 26.Kinder has been assistant superintendent since February 2008. He has been employed by the district since 1994.His appointment came after the board approved the retirement of Carol Makuta, effective Aug. 26.Makuta is in the process of completing her second five-year contract as superintendent.Her career in education spans over 30 years of educational service, with 23 of those years in Tamaqua.