During a meeting Tuesday, the Tamaqua School Board worked through a punchlist of assignments, hirings and appointments as a final preparation for the start of school.

The school district and the Tamaqua Education Association still haven't inked a contract for the teachers, but negotiations are ongoing. The four-year pact between the district and the association ended July 30.Directors held executive sessions both during and at the close of the meeting, with the latter session to discuss specifics of the proposed teacher contract. Before the board entered executive session, Superintendent Carol Makuta said negotiations hadn't yet reached the point where the board would be ready to vote on the matter.The board approved Lauren Christ, Tamaqua, as assistant band volunteer.Elementary school students and parents are invited to attend open houses, which will be held to help the students get prepared for school. An open house will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at West Penn Township Elementary School and from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Rush Township Elementary School.