Lehighton Area School Board approved the hiring of Charles Bachert as middle school assistant principal Monday night. The appointment is effective immediately.

"I have been very happy to be a teacher in this district and give back to the school and community that gave so much to me," Bachert said. "Now, I look forward to making even more contributions to the school and community as an administrator."Born and raised in Lehighton, Bachert has been a computer teacher at Lehighton Area Middle School for the past 10 years having served as computer department head for the past five. He has also served as LAMS Future Business Leaders of America advisor and Classrooms for the Future coach.Prior to teaching in Lehighton Area School District, Bachert taught at Mahanoy Area High School and at Pocono Mountain Intermediate School.Middle school Principal Dr. Mark McGalla said, "He is an experienced teacher who grew up and benefitted from the Lehighton Area School District."Bachert replaces Michael DeAngelo, whose resignation was accepted by the school board in November.The school board also approved the recommendation to hire Richard Bennett and Maria Van Norman as instructors for the Winter Credit Recovery Program at Lehighton Area High School. Beginning Feb. 3, the course will be offered after school Monday through for Thursday for students who must make up credits because of a failing grade.The board accepted retirement intentions for four teachers whose combined service totals 125 years. Kindergarten teacher Faye Hlavaty was hired July 23, 2001; middle school history teacher John Lopata was hired Aug. 13, 1979; first grade teacher Kaye Miller was hired July 8, 1974; and high school German teacher Margaret Wetzel was hired Dec. 12, 1977. They will retire at the end of the school year.In other business, the school board:• Established the position of assistant board secretary and promptly named Bonnie Cortese to serve in that position.• Approved the Act 1 Resolution, indicating that the school board will not raise taxes for the 2014 - 2015 school year by more than the adjusted index, which is 2.8 percent.• Approved a three-year contract with PenTeleData to provide fiber services to LASD starting July 1for a total monthly charge of $3,300.A moment of silence was observed for former school board director Bernie Nalesnik, who passed away last week.Lehighton Area School Board has scheduled a building committee meeting on Monday, Feb. 10. The next regular meeting of the school board is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24. Both meetings will take place at 7 p.m. at LASD Administration Building, Conference Room A.