The Tamaqua Area School board of directors approved a new contract with its service personnel during Tuesday's regular meeting and took steps to accommodate an increase in the Hispanic student population.

The five-year contract with the Tamaqua Area Service Personnel is retroactive to 2013, with no pay increases until 2015. Then, employees will see a 30 cent raise each year through 2018. A change was also made to the employees' health benefits, similar to those approved for teachers when their contract was approved at the September meeting. The board approved the contract unanimously, with directors Aaron Frantz and Mark Rother absent.Superintendent Carol Makuta explained the need for an additional part-time English as a second language teacher, noting "a large increase in the number of students who speak Spanish as their primary language. The addition will help those students become better prepared to learn."The board approved hiring Michelle Argust of Tamaqua at the bachelor's step three level. Her salary of $20,897.50 will be prorated to her start date.Another new hire was needed after the board approved the resignation of Kristin Melnick, director of nutritional services. Melnick's resignation will become effective on Jan. 2. The administration recommended hiring a new director now, contingent upon receiving the necessary documentation, to make sure the change is seamless. Daniel Rolles of Mountaintop was hired, unanimously, at a salary of $55,000. Rolles is currently the food service director at Bloomsburg University.Personnel actionsThe board approved a number of other personnel changes, including the resignations of full-time paraprofessional Karen Metzger, full-time custodian John Murphy and cafeteria worker Anna Danner; reassignment of Frances Nazar from part time to substitute cafeteria worker, removal of LeeAnn Heisler as a part-time cafeteria worker; hiring Timothy Brady of Cressona, Charles Kahler of Pottsville and Adam Konsavage of Orwigsburg as substitute professional guest teachers, Michelle Ann McHose of Tamaqua as a clerical substitute and Julie Farber or Tamaqua as a full-time custodian; extended the medical leave of occupational therapist Heather O'Brien; appointed elementary school teacher Charise Fiorilla as a mentor for Dana Rottet; and appointed John Hurst, Mahanoy Area School District business administrator as a second delegate on the Act 32 Tax Collection Commission. The primary delegate is Connie Ligenza, Tamaqua School District business administrator, with board president Larry Wittig as the first alternate.The board also approved:• The expulsion of a student for an infraction of school policy• An agreement with Schuylkill County Mental Health/Development Services and Drug and Alcohol Agency for services for district students• Homebound instruction for an elementary school student• The Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 calendar for 2015-2016• The 2015 tax exemption form• Out-of-state trips for the Tamaqua Raider Band to travel to Washington, D.C., on May 16, and the senior economics honors class to travel to the New York City financial district on Dec. 17.The board will hold a reorganizational meeting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2.