A Tamaqua man was among several people hired by the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 School Board when it met Monday at the Maple Campus in Norwegian Township.

James Gurcsik was hired as the culinary arts instructor at a salary of $40,232 per year under the collective bargaining agreement.Others hired were:Joseph Taglieri, Minersville, hired as a substitute special education teacher at the South Campus at a rate of $80 per day; Kirstie Liptock, Pottsville, hired as a substitute mental health therapist at $80 per day effective Jan. 14; Elaine Davis, Pottsville, hired on a part-time as needed basis to serve the school age program at $18.50 per hour; and Nicole Merchlinsky, Gilberton, hired as a substitute cafeteria worker at $8.60 per hour.The board accepted donations from the following:National Energy Foundation (PPL) $300 for participation in a classroom energy activity and completion of a post-survey. Dr. Diane M. Niederriter, executive director, reported the donation will be shared by the welding program and residential and industrial electrical program.Collision Repair Education Foundation donated short-sleeve work shirts, valued at $4,160, to be used in the vo-tech collision repair program.Big B Manufacturing Inc., Klingerstown, donated 1,280 pounds of miscellaneous steel valued at $640 to be used in the welding program.Contracts approvedContracts were approved with the following:A letter of agreement was entered with the Schuylkill County Mental Health and Developmental Services and Drug and Alcohol Programs for the provision of student assistance services throughout the year.A letter of agreement was entered with the state correctional institution at Mahanoy Township to assist in the event of a major emergency until normal operations are restored at the facility.Dr. Niederriter explained the Schuylkill Technical Center will provide floor space, cafeteria space, and meeting rooms, and the SCI will be responsible for providing reimbursement of any fees charged to cover the services rendered.An articulation agreement was entered with Pittsburgh Technical Institution to allow graduates of the Schuylkill Technical Center who are interested in pursuing education in the CAD, Computer Information Systems, Electricity, Health Occupations, Plumbing and Heating and Welding at the Pittsburgh school to obtain advance standing credits.The board approved a project for the carpentry shop. Permission was granted to the North Campus Carpentry Shop students and instructor to construct an eight by 16 foot structured, enclosed on three sides with a pitched roof for Gordon Foods. The company will incur costs associated with the building project.The board approved an increase in the practical nursing program raising the application fee from $70 to $80. The increase was require to meet the additional fee increase by the vendor, Assessment Technology Institute.Resignations accepted were as follows:M. Darlene Matsell, a full-time secretary for the practical nursing program at the North Campus; Jamie Rizzardi, instructor for the school age program; Samantha Andrews, part-time adult basic education orientation facilitator; and Lucille Pulaski and Amy Friday, part-time teacher aides at Maple Avenue Campus.