Retirement

Three HNS teachers announce plans to retire at the end of the school year HARTINGTON — Four longtime Hartington-Newcastle educators will be closing the books on their teaching careers at the end of the 2026-27 school year. The Hartington-Newcastle School Board approved three early retirement applications at its Nov. 9 meeting. Julie Steffen, Laurie Peitz and LuAnn Spahr all submitted requests to participate in the district's early retirement incentive program. They join longtime guidance counselor Ken Kneifl, who announced his retirement plans in September. The district's early retirement incentive program offers teachers who announce their intentions to retire before Nov. 1 either one year of single health insurance coverage or the cash equivalent. Supt. AJ Johnson said the policy was put in place several years ago to give the district a better opportunity to recruit qualified replacements for retiring teachers.

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