SIDNEY — Repairs needed for the driveway by Northwood Elementary School were discussed during Monday night’s Sidney City Schools Board of Education meeting.

The driveway, which runs by the school from St. Marys Avenue to Wapakoneta Avenue, has been the subject of many repairs over the years, said Superintendent John Scheu. Repairs during the summer vacation have also been made over the years.

“There’s a lot of potholes and we’ve spent a lot of money on cold patches,” said Scheu. “It’s a mess and continues to get worse.”

Scheu said he and Jerry Harmon, business manager, had meet with Brian Green, city of Sidney street superintendent, about options available to the district to make permanent repairs to the driveway.

“They (city) will help us make a permanent fix instead of using a band-aid,” said Scheu. It’s estimated that it would take approximately $50,000 — $30,000 paid by the school district and $20,000 paid by the city — to fix the driveway.

Harmon told the board that the district is ready to put cold patches on the needed repairs, which should get the district through the school year. The work will cost approximately $1,500.

“This (cold patching) will get us through until Sidney does their paving projects this summer,” said Harmon. “We will be with the city’s bidding process on the project.”

Harmon and Scheu said the city was looking for a commitment from the board to proceed on the project jointly.

“I think we need to look at one or two catch basins which will help preserve the asphalt longer,” said Board President Bill Ankney.

Board member Bob Smith asked treasurer Mike Watkins how much had been spend in repairs for the driveway over the years. Watkins said he didn’t have that information but would work toward finding out.

The board verbally agreed to proceed with the project with the city’s assistance.

Board member Paul Heins discussed a previous resolution where the board had agreed to purchase two new school buses. He told Harmon to make sure that the bid includes treated lumber being used for the bottom of the buses.

“Four to five years from now, you’ll see holes in the bottom of the buses if they lumber isn’t treated,” said Heins.

The retirements of three longtime employees of the district were accepted during the meeting.

Jon Geuy, Sidney High School principal, will be retiring at the end of the school year. His last day of work will b July 31, 2017. Geuy has been with the district for 10 years and in education for 32 years.

“His dedication and support he’s shown to the student activities is something I hope we can find in his replacement,” said Scheu.

Geuy travels all over the state to attend the activities, said Scheu.

Herman Thompson, Longfellow aide, will retire effective June 1, 2017. He has been with the district for 20 years.

Carolyn Leiss, Longfellow aide, will be retiring effective June 1, 2017. She has been with the district for 12 years.

“All three of them will be sorely missed,” said Scheu.

In other business, the board:

• Was recognized for School Board Recognition Month. Scheu presented each board member with a certificate of appreciation.

• Employed two aides on one-year limited contracts effective Jan. 3, 2017. Wince Morris was hired as an aide at Northwood School. He will be paid $15.11 per hour. Stacey New was hired at $14.23 per hour. She is currently a substitute aide for the district.

• Employed Morgan Headings and Zach Spence as substitute teachers at $90 per day.

• Approved Kara Boze, Hannah Deal, Travis Douglas, Ty Elliot, Destyni Grice, Shelbie Johns, Ashley Miller, Benjamin Musser, Isaiah Roser, Ibrahima Sy and Madilee Thompson as early graduates with the Class of 2017.

The board’s next meeting will be Monday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. at the board of education office.