Tamaqua Area School District board has approved a revised social studies curriculum for students from grades six through 12.

The curriculum change is in anticipation of a change in Keystone Exams, which currently are assessments of students' proficiency in Math, Literature and Biology. Beginning in 2014, the Keystone Exams will include a testing in Government and Civics. Tamaqua sixth, seventh and eighth graders will study periods of American history, which will include related information about geographical regions and culture.Directors also approved a five-year agreement with Enernoc, Inc. an energy provider based in Boston. According to the contract the district will take energy-saving measures during times of peak electricity use, which are afternoons during June, July, August, and September.The energy saving measure is called Demand Response. In electricity grids, Demand Response manages customer consumption of electricity in response to supply conditions. The customer is asked to reduce energy use at critical times, and as a result the utility provider saves money because it doesn't have to buy power from another source.Enernoc would then return its savings, which could be as much as $84,000 over the five-year contract, to the Tamaqua School District. The contract is still pending review by Superintendent Carol Makuta and the board's solicitor, Jeff Bowe.In other action, the board:Hired Ian Blyth, Palo Alto, as head Boys' Soccer Coach for the 2013-14 school year.Hired Caleb Calarco, New Ringgold, as Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach.Hired Robert Workman, Minersville, as Head Junior Varsity Baseball Coach.Approved Henry Woods and Dylan Peters as volunteer baseball coaches, and Ed Titus and Craig Valentine as volunteer assistant baseball coaches.Hired Abigail Graver, Tamaqua, as Assistant Varsity Softball Coach.Approved Samantha Yachera, elementary teacher, as Drama Club Vocal Accompanist, with the stipend to be determined.Hired Erika Barron, Tamaqua, elementary teacher.Added Shaelynn Laponuke, Allentown; Jessica Mazaika, McAdoo; Kelly Myers, Rock Glenn; and Roberta McGeehan, Tamaqua, to the substitute teacher list.Approved the request of Lawrence M. Capozzelli, physics teacher, to attend the annual Physics Day at Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey, on May 3 with the A.P. Physics and Principles of Physics students.