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HARTINGTON - After years of uncertainty, the Hartington-Newcastle School Board is getting closer to a decision on how exactly to utilize the Newcastle facility.
Supt. A.J. Johnson spoke on behalf of the special committee dedicated to the Newcastle site during Monday's School Board meeting.
Johnson said the committee recently met with the Village of Newcastle and had a productive discussion.
Information has now been sent to the school's attorneys so a draft agreement can be prepared. Johnson said the hope is to vote on the agreement with the Village of Newcastle at the July meeting.
The agreement would be a lease agreement, with the Village of Newcastle essentially taking over the cost of the building, Johnson said.
Also Monday, Johnson announced Hartington-Newcastle Public Schools received a $15,000 grant through the Nielsen Foundation for the purchase of musical instruments.
"I'd like to thank the music teachers, Mrs. Hahne and Mrs. Collier, especially Mrs. Hahne," Johnson said. "In the time that Mrs. Hahne was here, I know it was at least over $100,000 that she wrote grants for." Johnson said those grants have helped create opportunities for students to participate in band by expanding access to instruments that families otherwise would have had to purchase.
"The Nielsen Foundation is very generous, so hopefully we will continue to be able to get grants through them and work with Mrs. Collier and a new band teacher to get those done," Johnson said,."But I truly want to thank Mrs. Hahne for getting that done in her years here." The Board also voted Monday to approve an increase in school meal prices for the 2026-27 school year.
Student and adult lunch prices will increase by 10 cents, while student and adult breakfast prices will increase by 15 cents.
The price of milk will also increase by 5 cents to cover the 4.5-cent increase in Hiland Dairy Products' bid this year. The Board also approved the Hiland Dairy bid Monday.
Lunch prices for the 2025-26 school year were $3.35 for elementary students, $3.65 for high school students and $5 for adults.
Student breakfast was $2.05, adult breakfast was $3 and extra milk was 55 cents.
Johnson said rising costs are the reason for the price increases.
The School Board also approved summer school contracts for Susan Anderson, Ladonna Kneifl and Julie Steen for 17 days.
The Hartington-Newcastle School Board will hold its next meeting at 6 p.m., July 15. Meetings are held in the school's consumer science room.
