KINGSLEY (AP) — A former middle school principal in northern Michigan has been sentenced for inappropriately touching students.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that a judge on Thursday ordered 55-year-old Karl Hartman to spend 3 to 5 years in prison. Hartman pleaded guilty last month to three counts of assault with intent to commit sexual contact stemming from accusations he spanked two former students for sexual gratification in his office when he was the principal at Kingsley Elementary School in 2004. He retired in January.

As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped six felony and two misdemeanor charges. Grand Traverse County Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Attwood has said the plea agreement spares the accusers from having to testify at trial.