The Tamaqua School Board appears ready to buy new uniforms for its band. The board viewed uniform samples, presented by band director Mark Beltz, and reviewed the three bids they've received. They'll vote on the matter during the board meeting Dec. 17.

During his presentation to the board, Beltz laid out three uniform samples and a plumed cap on a desk. One of the three samples was a current uniform, in use since 2001. The lowest bidder for the 175 uniforms is DeMoulin Brothers, Greenville, Ill., at $67,408.Dave Hadesty, president of the Tamaqua Band Boosters, said that the boosters will kick in $10,000 toward the purchase.The education committee approved the second reading of a policy for students' use of electronic communication devices, which means the board will vote on the matter during the Dec. 17 meeting. Students are currently banned from using cell phones in the schools, and that prohibition will remain the same.The new policy will allow students to use their personal electronic communication devices such as lap top computers and iPads, with the permission of their teachers.The board recognized the students of the month for the district's elementary schools.