Northeastern Nebraska school to close due to lack of students

The Hartington-Newcastle School Board voted in June to close the Newcastle building.

NEWCASTLE, Neb. (AP) – A northeastern Nebraska school is closing its doors because of a lack of students.

The Hartington-Newcastle School Board voted in June to close the Newcastle building, which most recently had taught only 18 children in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first-grade classes.

School officials cited the dwindling population of students from Newcastle, a village of around 325 that lies about 107 miles northwest of Omaha. Starting this fall, all students will attend classes in Hartington, about a half hour drive from Newcastle. That will consist of only three first-graders and a handful of pre-kindergarten students.