As the final school bell rings in June for Hillside Elementary School, its principal Julie Kremer also will be saying goodbye.

Kremer announced she is retiring in June after 18 years with Elmbrook School District (34 years in education), and she's not the only elementary school principal doing so. Bil Zahn at Burleigh Elementary also announced he will retire after 27 years at Elmbrook.

While Zahn's position will be replaced, Kremer's will not. The School Board voted in October to close Hillside and transition from six elementary schools to five, with Hillside's resident students moving en masse to Brookfield Elementary, led by Principal Lynn Raines.

"I am proud to have been a part of this profession," Kremer wrote in her retirement letter. "Along with the closing of Hillside and the major changes for next year, I have the utmost confidence that this staff will move forward and truly enhance their new environments.... Most importantly, they will remain focused on making a difference for children."

Zahn wrote: "I have so many precious memories from Elmbrook Middle School and my home away from home - Burleigh Elementary School - that I believe that every day was truly a gift! .... However, all good things must come to an end, and it is my plan to retire on June 30, 2012."

Also retiring at school year-end will be Claire Topp, a school psychologist and Christopher Keadle, a school social worker, each of them also have 27 years tenure with Elmbrook. Superintendent Matt Gibson said while both positions could be replaced based on needs, the budget may only support one, and he favored hiring a psychologist.

Gibson will ask the Elmbrook School Board to approve all four retirements and said in a memo that additional administrative team retirements might be presented at the Jan. 24 board meeting.