Add electronic cigarettes to the list of tobacco products banned on Tamaqua School District property.

During a meeting Tuesday, school board directors gave final approval to a policy forbidding the use of e-cigarettes on school grounds or in school property, such as vans and buses.The electronic cigarettes operate using a battery, which powers a heating element to produce vapors. They look a lot like "real" cigarettes, with a tip that glows and a smokelike emission, and do contain tobacco in low amounts. The e-cigarettes are popular with people who are trying to quit smoking.The directors also approved the retirements of seven teachers, who will leave at the end of the school year. They are Karen Conover, Andreas; Gloria Forte, Nesquehoning; Cheryl Harvilla, Trescow; Barbara Leiby, Tamaqua; Sally LeMasters, Tamaqua; Kathleen Mansell, Barnesville; and Mark Solon, Drums. After the meeting, district Superintendent Carol Makuta said that the years of service for the seven teachers ranged from 20 to 35 years."Each one of them made important contributions to the quality of education for our students," Makuta said. "Their option to retire was part of the negotiated contract."Makuta was referring to the new teachers' contract, a three-year pact which was signed Sept. 25. The teachers voted 111-19 to accept the contract, which included an average yearly raise of $1,500, but also granted the district concessions which reduced the cost of their health care plan, such as high deductibles on their policies.The directors also hired five substitute teachers: Justin Huegel, Tamaqua; Kaitlyn Keich, Tamaqua; Julia Peters, New Tripoli; Nicollette Scheitrum, Summit Hill; and Andrew Watkins, Summit Hill.The board also approved spending $16,745 to purchase equipment from Omni Lift Inc.The new lift will be used to access lights and other areas as needed by the district's maintenance workers.