Tamaqua School District will save $85,668 by refinancing a bond.

In refinancing, bonds are sold off at lower interest rates, which results in savings in debt service. In 2010, the district saved $136,000 by refinancing a series of general obligation bonds, stemming from a 2003 $3 million middle school project.During a meeting Tuesday, the board approved refinancing the bond through PNC Capital Markets, the same firm it used in 2010. The move is contingent on a final review of the bank documents by solicitor Jeff Bowe and district Business Manager Connie Ligenza.Longtime board member Robert Betz is recovering from a recent illness, and the board appointed President Larry Wittig, with board member Dan Schoener as alternate, to fill Betz's position on the boards of the Intermediate Unit 29 and the Schuylkill Technology Center. In Betz's absence, Ligenza will act as assistant secretary for the school board.In other action the board:Approved an out-of-state Ski Club trip to Stowe, Vermont, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1.Accepted the retirement of custodian Donna Ryan, effective August 2015.Added a course called America Goes to War for high school social studies, for the 2015-16 school year.Accepted $37,407 as bequeathed to the district for a music scholarship by Humbert Lendin. The music scholarship in awarded annually during the district's Achievement Ceremony.