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HARTINGTON — The Hartington-Newcastle School Board on Monday approved the 2026–27 school calendar.
The new school year will begin Thursday, Aug. 13, with a 2 p.m. dismissal. School will be dismissed for the summer at noon on Tuesday, May 18, 2027.
Graduation for the Class of 2027 is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, at 1 p.m.
Students will again receive a two-week Christmas break. Classes will be dismissed at noon on Dec. 18 and will resume on Jan. 6.
Also on Monday, the board accepted the resignation of physical education teacher Dylan Behnk.
Behnk has filled multiple roles during his time at the school, including guiding the elementary music program during his first year and later teaching physical education and assisting with several activities. He is resigning to accept a teaching position at Pender.
Superintendent A.J. Johnson said the district is now searching for two teachers — a physical education teacher to replace Behnk and an elementary teacher to replace Amber Davies, who submitted her resignation earlier this year to take a position at Elkhorn.
The board also approved several facility-related purchases.
A bid of $77,500 from Fay’s Furniture and Floor Covering was accepted to replace all carpet in the high school classrooms and band room. The bid includes removal and installation. Hallway carpet in the high school was replaced last year.
Board members also approved the purchase of a new auto scrubber used to clean the commons area floor and gym floors. Johnson said such machines typically have a lifespan of about seven years, though the school was able to use its current unit for 12 years. The new machine is expected to cost $10,524 and will be purchased from a Colorado firm.
Replacement of the handicap lift that provides access from the main floor to the basement was also approved. A new lift from Access Elevators of Omaha will cost $39,100.
The board also approved a new contract for Johnson, which includes a 2.2 percent raise. His annual salary will increase from $137,000 to $140,000.
The board approved assignments for eight standing committees and two ad hoc committees.
They are: Transportation — Fuelberth, Lange, Wiedenfeld; Policies — Climer, Wiedenfeld, Heikes; Buildings/Grounds — Lange, Heikes, Fuelberth; Athletics/Activities — Heikes, Climer, Lange; Budget — Dendinger, Wiedenfeld, Heikes Americanism — Wiedenfeld, Fuelberth, Climer; Vocational Ag — Climer, Fuelberth, Wiedenfeld; Negotiations — Dendinger, Climer, Wiedenfeld; Ad Hoc — Newcastle site — Dendinger, Heikes, Lange; Ad Hoc — Complex — Dendinger, Lange, Fuelberth.
Also Monday, Elementary School Principal Sarah Edwards updated the board on activities and events. She said nine elementary students were chosen for honor choir Jan. 24 in Fremont.
On Monday, Feb. 23 the Northeast Nebraska Elementary Honor Choir will be performing/practicing at Holy Trinity Gym. The event starts at 11 a.m., and the performance will be at 5 p.m.
She also noted Elementary Student Council is planning Read Across America Week/Dr. Seuss’ birthday activities. She said dress up days and different reading activities are being considered.
She also noted HNS sixth grader Heidi Lewon, with the help of Extension Educator Jackie Steffen, recently authored an early childhood book for 4-H, focusing on State Fair activities. She has a Feb. 14 book signing at the Hartington Library and will be reading to K-2 students during Read Across America Week.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 9. The meeting will start at 7 p.m., which is later than usual. The start time was pushed back due to the GNAC Conference Speech meet which is being held on that same day.
