Tamaqua School Board discussed different strategies aimed to provide students with a safe learning environment.

Members went back and forth on what the best approach would be in regard to hiring armed officers to protect students while class is in session. Superintendent Raymond J. Kinder shared his belief that hiring four armed officers from an outside vendor would be the best option when compared to training and arming Tamaqua School District Staff on a volunteer basis.

Although quotes are still being negotiated, a motion was suggested by school board President Larry A. Wittig to move onto the first reading stage of reviewing the matter.

The Security Committee will continue to look into the specifics of solving this issue with the hopes of having everything ready to go by the start of the upcoming school year.

The Education Committee approved a grant with Lehigh Carbon Community College for $19,992 toward Second Step Curriculum.

“I think that students will benefit greatly,” said Stephen Toth.

The program will aid kindergarten through 12th-grade students, with an emphasis on K-8, who come from a poor social or emotional environment by providing guidance services during the school day.

The Finance Committee authorized a donation of $2,500 from the Environmental Sustainability Resource Center and a donation of $3,500 from the Tamaqua Library.

June’s budget control reported a revenue variance of $934,935 and an expenditure variance of $900,252.

Committee members reported that $171,061.32 worth of bills was paid in June along with $247.50 that was a part of their tax report.

A request by Matt Hope of Tamaqua for permission to use the triangular piece of property on Stadium Hill for the 2018-2019 school year was approved.

The Finance Committee also created a cutoff in regard to the school uniform stipend. Financial assistance of $25 per student will be given if household income is less than 130 percent of the poverty guideline established by the Pennsylvania Department of Nutrition.

School board members ended Tuesday’s meeting in executive session.