The Tamaqua Area School Board votedTuesday night to fill the vacancies created by the untimely death last month of longtime member Robert Betz. Betz had also served as the board's treasurer.

Melanie Dillman of Andreas was appointedto fill the rest of his unexpired term, until December 2015. Board members then voted to have Daniel Schoener fill the positionof treasurer, effective July 1, for a one-year term.A number of other personnel changes were made, including accepting resignations, hiring new people and moving employees from one position to another.Two professional staff members submitted letters of resignation, which were accepted. They were David Hassler, a high school teacher, and Justine Hoster, an elementary school teacher.Added to the elementary school professional staff were: Dana Rottet of Tamaqua, Bachelor's Step 2 salary of $40,662; Noelle Nicholas of Mountaintop, Bachelor's Step 5.5 salary of $45,294; Bobbiejo Wlliams of Lehighton, Bachelor's Step 1 salary of $39,500; Christa Mantz of Coaldale, Bachelor's Step 1 salary of $39,500; Emilie Baker of Pottsville, Bachelor's Step 1 prorated salary of $19,750 (half-day teacher).At the high school level, Scott Delenick of Pottsville was hired as a biology/ chemistry teacher, Bachelor's Step 1.5 salary of $40,081, and Nathan Kester of New Tripoli was hired as a mathematics teacher, Bachelor's Step 2 salary of $40,662.Laura Makuta of Hazleton was hired as an assistant principal to the director of special education at a salary of $55,000.Amanda Gallagher of Tamaqua was hired as a social worker at a salary of $43,476.Amy Yusella of Summit Hill was removed from the substitute paraprofessional list, while Erika Cassell of Tamaqua was removed from the part-time and added to the substitute paraprofessional list.The following were added to the substitute custodian list: Ed Blazis of Barnesville, Kaelyn Boran of Tamaqua, Branislav Brili of Coaldale, Emily Demyanovich of Tamaqua, Nate Edmonds of Tamaqua, Chelsea Valentine of Tamaqua, Tammy Shoener of Tamaqua and Zechariah Wassell of Tamaqua.All new hires are contingent on the submission of the necessary documentation.The board also voted to approve some changes to the health care plan, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. The changes are related to out-of-pocket maximum limits, COBRA rates and prescription drugs.