LIBERTY — The Liberty school district has received a large donation for maintenance of its six-lane running track after it’s resurfaced.

The school board Monday approved the donation from resident Lena Esmail, who agreed to give $5,000 per year for the next 10 years for the track at Leopard Stadium in exchange for certain naming rights for the track.

Previously, the board accepted a donation from Esmail for the installation of a new running track surface at the stadium.

Esmail is owner / CEO at QUICKmed Urgent Care, which will soon open a location inside Liberty schools for care for students and staff.

School Treasurer Maureen Lloyd said the project involves installing a new running track surface to replace the existing surface and other related improvements. Work is set to be done in the spring and summer.

“The track is getting old, and work needs to be done. It needs to be resurfaced,” she said.

Lloyd said the health clinic project was covered by a $379,998 Ohio Department of Education health grant. Construction was done by Brock Associates Builders Inc. of North Lima for $244,634. The clinic will be located at the former E.J. Blott School kitchen.

Lloyd said the district still will have a school nurse on staff.

Officials said previously that in an effort to keep students healthy and in the classroom, QUICKmed Urgent Care is working with local school systems to help provide health clinics on school sites.

In other business, the board hired Bob Catchpole as a substitute bus driver.

After having to cancel school Feb. 16 because of a lack of bus drivers, district officials approved an incentive to get more drivers.

The board approved developing a pre-employment sign-on incentive of $500, payable in two payments to contracted bus drivers hired for the 2022-23 school year who complete the school year.

But even with the financial incentive the district did not receive many applicants, Lloyd said.

Lloyd said those new drivers hired for the school year will receive $250 and then the remaining $250 will be paid when the drivers complete the 2022-23 year on June 1.