During a meeting Tuesday, the Tamaqua School board approved the 2015-16 school year budget, which holds taxes at 34.29 mills.

The beginning fund balance is $3.4 million. Revenue is estimated at $27.2 million, and expenses at $29.2 million. To balance the budget, the district will take $2 million from the general fund, leaving the fund balance at $1.4 million.In other action, the district hired six teachers: Michael Hoffman Jr., Bachelor's Step 1, $39,500; Matthew Stine, Master's step 1, $43,476; Julie Schoff, Bachelor's Step 1, $39,500; Jill Matz Master's Step 1, $43,476; Taylor Charles, Bachelor's Step 1, $39,500; and Candin Fox, Master's Step 11, $55,921.Two parents of elementary school children in the gifted program asked the board questions about the logistics of the district's planned changes to the program. The district plans to lease Rush Elementary School to BHA Associates of Lehighton, and move the gifted program for elementary school students to West Penn Elementary School."Every day my daughter is asking questions, who's my teacher going to be, who will I know there," said Ashleigh Urban.Assistant Superintendent Raymond Kinder said that the district typically does not finalize bus and student schedules until August. Although some things can be done preliminarily to prepare for the school year, the district solidifies those things in August.Only five board members were present at the meeting, Bryan Miller, Tom Rottet, Dan Schoener, Wanda Zuber and President Larry Wittig. The board held an executive session during the meeting for about one hour.