The Tamaqua School District must replace a section of the high school roof the part above the natatorium which could cost up to $425,000.

During a meeting Tuesday, school board members approved spending the money, hiring Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. to do the work. The expense is part of the $29.2 million in expenses the district predicts in its 2015-16 preliminary budget. The budget has $27.2 million in revenue, and the district will balance the budget by taking $2 million from the beginning fund balance, reducing it from $3.4 million to $1.4 million.In other action, the board decided to advertise for two newly created positions, assistantprincipal to the Director ofSpecial Education, and social worker.Superintendent Carol Makuta said the new positions are a result of the district's growing special education population, which is 6 percent higher than the state average.The board approved the retirement of elementary teacher Cindy Miller, effective at the end of the 2015 school year.The board also approved the breakfast and lunch cafeteria prices for 2015-16, which will be $2.35 for elementary, $2.60 for secondary and $3.75 for adults.Board members also noted the passing of Robert Betz, who served on the school board for 36 years. Superintendent Carol Makuta said Betz had served the board very well, and was "an icon for the community."Board President Larry Wittig said he was always impressed with Betz's level-headedness, especially his ability to remain calm during some meetings when discussions got heated. Wittig said he appreciated all the work Betz did on the Tamaqua board, and also all the work he did as he represented the district on the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Board.Board member Eileen Meiser said she will always remember Betz's positive attitude. Even if he didn't feel well, he always had the same response if someone asked him how he was feeling just one word."Fantastic."