Tamaqua Area School Board approved a three-year contract with a new garbage hauler on Tuesday night.

Casella Waste Systems was awarded the $103,529 contract, which runs from Aug. 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029.

The district also received a proposal from J.P. Mascaro and Sons for $139,971, but the current hauler, Waste Management, did not submit a proposal, Business Manager Connie Ligenza said.

The district was paying Waste Management $31,545 a year, Stephen Toth, assistant superintendent, said on Wednesday.

The board approved the contract with a package of items from the finance committee on a voice vote.

Board President Larry Wittig is not associated with Casella since selling Tamaqua Transfer to the firm, he said.

Cellphones

The board adopted amended Policy 237, related to electronic devices, which institutes a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in school.

The district amended its policy to comply with legislation working its way through state government, but not yet approved, Tom McCabe, incoming assistant superintendent, said after the meeting.

Elementary students must have their phones in bookbag or secure position, and secondary students must keep their phones in their lockers from the start to the end of the school day.

Previously, students had access to cellphones at their lockers, in hallways/study halls and lunch, but not during classes.

Other

In other business, the board approved:

• First reading of Policy 815.1, Student Chromebook Responsible Use, which increases the flat fee for insurance to $15, and the replacement value of a purposely damaged Chromebook from $300 to $400. Insurance deductibles remain the same.

• Tax refunds and payment of bills totaling $1,894,660.

• Tuition rates for 2026-27 as $13,471.38, elementary; and $14,888.96, secondary.

• The affirmative vote resolution.

• Permission to Matt Hope for the use of the triangle piece of property on Stadium Hill for 2026-27 school year.

• School uniform stipend at $25 with a cutoff for financial assistance relative to the dress code for household income less than 130% of the poverty guideline established by the state.

• LCCC Shine Afterschool Program Sponsor to Sponsor Agreement for meals at $4.25, and for St. Jerome’s, $3.25.

• The 2026-27 school breakfast and lunch prices as $2.45, elementary; $2.70, secondary; $1.25, breakfast; $4.75, adult, and $2.50, adult breakfast. All students receive free breakfast and lunch, and the prices are for a second meal.

• Purchase of carpet tile from JK Flooring and Renovations LLC of Luzerne, for $23,900. The district is replacing carpet tiles as needed, and stockpiling some for replacement during school breaks.

• Purchase of a replacement SMA solar inverter for Inverter No. 4 at the Tamaqua Elementary Solar filed from McClure Co. at a cost not to exceed $22,000 for parts and installation.

• Inspection, repair and replacement of damaged bleachers at the stadium through COSTARs vendor Keystone Sports Construction of Phoenixville, at a cost not to exceed $15,000.