The Tamaqua Area School District Board of Education filled a number of personnel positions at its monthly meeting Tuesday night.

Kristen Sander, Palmerton, was approved as a temporary full-time special education teacher, at a prorated salary of $39,776 for a Master's degree, step one.Michael Kunkel, Tamaqua, was hired as a full-time custodian, at a salary of $8 per hour. Andrew Smarr was transferred from a custodial position to maintenance, at $8.80 per hour.Kerrie Gabriel, McAdoo, and Amy Behler, Tamaqua, were approved as part-time paraprofessionals, at the rate of $7.75 per hour. The board accepted the retirement of Charlene Cassel as a part-time paraprofessional, effective March 31.The following positions were approved for Tamaqua Area High's School's Drama Club spring musical: Jonathan Rodgers, Lehighton, marketing director, $571, and scenic director, $640; Megan Rodgers, Lehighton, choreographer, $685; and Audrey Christ, Tamaqua, pit band/accompanist, $640.Megan Frantz was approved as an adult game worker. Board Director Aaron Frantz, Megan's husband, abstained from the vote.The following were approved as substitute teachers: Jennifer Bensinger and Laurie Daukshus, both of Tamaqua; Justene Gulden, Schuylkill Haven; Nicole Fayash, Brockton; Heather Wagner, Lansford; Ryan Heaney, Nesquehoning; Angela Smith, Tuscarora; and Kenneth G. Eck, Jr., New Ringgold.Tim Demko, Mahanoy City; and Jodi Kamant, Tamaqua, were approved as guest teachers.Unpaid leaves of absence were approved for high school teachers Ann Lagowy, for March 4-5, and for Sherri Gerber, for March 18-19.George Waidell, Tamaqua, was approved as a volunteer middle school chorus assistant.The following were approved as substitute custodians: Kathy Brobst, Patricia Manness, Habib Saoud, and Robert Vybrenner, all of Tamaqua.Barbara Swartz, Tamaqua, was added to the district's substitute cafeteria list.Early dismissalsIn other business, the board approved the request of the district's principals for early dismissals on April 13, 14 and 15 for administration of the PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) tests, parent conferences, and professional development.Homebound instruction was approved for two students.A request by high school biology teacher Roseann Weinrich to take the Honors Biology classes to the Bronx Zoo in New York City on Apr. 22 was approved.At the request of high school principal RuthAnn Gardiner, the following courses were added to the school's dual enrollment program with Lehigh Carbon Community College: Accounting I and II, and Principles of Marketing. The accounting classes are worth one credit apiece, while the marketing class is worth one-half credit.The board also gave approval to the proposed 2010-2011 administrative and program budget for Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 and the secondary budget for the Schuylkill Technology Center.A request by Greg Koons, special education director, to purchase the Blended Schools program for $791 per month for the months of March, April, May and June for this year and for $10,250 for the 2010-11 school year was approved.