Tamaqua Area School District was one of nine districts who were provided funds by the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 209 School Board to provide English language instructions to immigrant students in action taken at its monthly meeting held at the Maple Avenue Campus in Norwegian Township.

The board accepted a Consolidated Federal Programs Application totaling $137,046 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of the Federal Program.A total of $19,284 will be used for Title III: Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students which is available to district members, Mahanoy Area, Minersville Area, North Schuylkill, Pine Grove Area, Pottsville Area, Saint Clair Area, Schuylkill Haven Area, Tamaqua Area and Williams Valley.Earmarked for improving teacher quality is $117,762 for professional development for the non-public/private schools in Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, and Berks County Intermediate Unit 14. Schuylkill Intermediate Unit will administer the grant.Other businessThe board approved payment to Minersville Area School District of $5,397.84 and Pottsville Area School District of $2,467.57 for instructional services and supplies utilized during the second month of the 2012 after school program under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant.Actions taken on personnel matters were as follows:The board approved the recommendation of the administration to suspend a professional employee without pay for a period of 20 work days, beginning Sept. 11, provided that the employee complies with training requirements as recommended by the administration. In the event of the failure of the teacher to complete such training requirements the unpaid suspension shall continue until such training requirements are completed.The board accepted the resignations of Carol Green, Early Intervention Coordinator, who is retiring; Traci Kowalick, Schuylkill Learning Academy Case Manager, who has accepted employment elsewhere; Anna Strenkoski, Andrea Kimmel, and Cecelia Weyand, part-time teacher aides at Maple Avenue Campus; and Melissa Kimmel, part-time teacher aide at Pine Grove.Intending to retire are, Maureen Murphy, full-time secretary in Special Education Department, effective April 12, 2013; Sharon Morin, full-time teacher aide in Saint Clair Hearing Impaired Classroom, effective Jan. 13, 2013; and Carol Rennick, full-time teacher aide at Maple Avenue Campus, effective June 4, 2013.Leanne Thompson, Lehighton, was hired as a full-time Behavior Interventionist at the Schuylkill Learning Academy at an annual salary of $24,000 retroactive to Aug. 20, 2012; Carrie Falls, Frackville, currently a Behavior Interventionist, transferring to Case Manager at annual salary of $30,000 per year.Hired as part-time teacher aides were Tanya Becker, Donaldson, Tremont Township, at Pine Grove Area High School; and Janet Cooke, Pottsville, with Early Intervention Program at rates of $8.75 per hour. Amy Lynn Joyce, Pottsville, hired as a part-time substitute GED instructor at the Lifelong Learning Center at $19 per hour for 800 hours.Appointed as substitute behavior inteventionists at $80 per hour were Kelly Sinn, Tamaqua; David Langley, New Philadelphia; Amanda Sikot, Weatherly; Cynthia Dros, Pine Grove; Angela Altemose, Pottsville; Jennifer Fritz, Ringtown; Sarah Heisey, Williamstown; Amy Joyce, Pottsville; Matthew Wislosky, Shenandoah; and Louise Knoblauch, Orwigsburg.Appointed as substitute mental health therapists at $80 per day were Jennifer Fritz, Ringtown; Sarah Heisey, Williamstown; and Louise Knoblauch, Orwigsburg.Appointed as substitute teachers at $80 per day were Kelly Sinn, Tamaqua, and Lindy Weist, and Kathleen Kemmery, Frackville; and as substitute teacher aides at $8.75 per hour were Kelsey Henry, Williamstown; Angela Altemose, Pottsville; Jaimie Kalkiewicz, New Boston; Christine Potts, Pottsville; Rachel Chapman, Cressona; Teresa Stonelake, Pottsville; and Amanda Sikot, Weatherly.Hired as substitute cafeteria workers at $8 per hour were Christine Potts and Teresa Stonelake, Pottsville, and Rachel Chapman, Cressona; and as substitute custodians at $8.,50 per hour were Frank Wank, Pottsville, and Helene O'Connell, Girardville.