Tamaqua Area School District is considering using a food service management company to handle meals in its cafeterias.

During a meeting Tuesday, the finance committee voted to put the idea up for vote at next week's meeting. If approved, the district will issue a request for proposals."We are simply releasing an RFP related to the food service program," said Assistant Superintendent Raymond Kinder. "We need to do this at this point in order to allow us the flexibility to move in that direction if our board chooses."It does not force us into making a decision one way or the other," he said. "It provides the district with information to help make that decision."The district wouldn't make such a change unless the proposals meet certain criteria."Depending on the results of the process we will make a decision on how to proceed," said Business Manager Connie Ligenza. "Some factors would be quality of service, experience and, of course, cost."Ligenza said many districts contract their food service department using various models and vendors.In another finance matter, Ligenza told the board that the 2014 Independent Audit Report has been received. The audit was "clean, with no findings," she said.The board will also consider adding a new course, advanced placement English literature and composition. The addition was approved by the finance committee, to be voted on by the full board next week. If approved, the course would be added for the 2015-16 school year.