Three veteran educators to retire after decades of service

Summerland Public Schools will begin the search for three positions for the 2025-2026 school year following retirements announced during the Jan. 15 board of education meeting.

Jim Schutt, Julie Harley and Misty Nilson turned in applications for the early retirement program.

Schutt has taught social studies for Orchard, Nebraska Unified and Summerland districts for 39 years.

In his resignation letter, Schutt thank board members, administration, fellow staff members and everyone who made this a wonderful experience.

"It's been enjoyable," Schutt wrote. "I look for wonderful things down the road for the Summerland district."

In her resignation letter, Harley wrote, "It is with great excitement and a little apprehension that I share with you my plans to retire at the close of the 2024-25 school year."

Throughout her 44-year career, Harley taught elementary school and high school language arts. She's a well-known throughout the speech and drama circuit as an exceptional one-act and speech coach.

She spent 20 years in the Ewing and Summerland districts, teaching approximately 1,200 students.

"The relationships I have developed with my students and colleagues during my teaching career are what I cherish and what I will miss the most," she wrote.

Nilson has spent 13 years in the Ewing and Summerland districts, most recently serving as a middle school resource instructor.

Nilson wrote, "I feel I need a change in direction. The last 13 years, have been very rewarding and I have learned a lot."

She credited colleagues and administrators for providing a strong work environment.