Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker Receives Several Honors Upon Retirement
In March, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Dr. Jerry Thacker announced his retirement after 19 years. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M has achieved extraordinary milestones, including raising the graduation rate from 79% to 98%, ranking in the top 4% of the state academically, and helping students earn more than $200 million in scholarships. He also prioritized school safety, leading P-H-M to be ranked sixth in the nation for school safety initiatives. Click here to read more about P-H-M student success achieved during Dr. Thacker’s tenure.
Dr. Thacker has had a remarkable 53-year career in education working in leadership roles across Indiana and Michigan. As the school year wrapped up and in gratitude for his many contributions to the field of education, Dr. Thacker has received several honors.
These five prestigious awards were conferred upon Dr. Thacker:
- May 4, named IAPSS – District II Superintendent of the Year
- May 9
Ivy Tech Community College presented him with an Honorary Degree in College and Community Service at their Commencement
- May 9, Head Start Consortium gave him the “Making a Difference” award for his loyal dedication, unwavering commitment, and his indispensable support of Head Start’s mission at Head Start’s 60th Anniversary Celebration and Board Meeting
- May 21
Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood presented him with a Key to the City and a proclamation declaring May 21st “Dr. Jerry Thacker Day”
- May 30
State Senator Linda Rogers presented him with the Circle of Corydon award on behalf of herself and Governor Mike Braun. The award honors Hoosiers who have made remarkable contributions that have bettered Indiana, and who have demonstrated the qualities exemplified by our state’s greatest citizens
Internally, P-H-M school principals, teachers, and students also wanted to thank Dr. Thacker for his years of service and dedication to the district. Several came up with meaningful ways to express their appreciation:
- May 1, Penn High School Bands recognized him for his “caring leadership and service” at the Spring Concert
- May 16
Grissom Middle School students and staff lined the hallways to applaud him as he walked through the school’s hallways - May 16
Penn High School Building Trades program presented him with a Golden Hammer for recognition of his Outstanding Support and Service - May 22
Bittersweet Elementary School students and staff lined the hallways to applaud him as he walked through the school’s hallways - May 27
Walt Disney Elementary School establishes the “Dr. Jerry Thacker Achievement Award” to recognize students who exemplify persistence, good citizenship, and positive competitiveness
- May 30
Schmucker Middle School principal presented him with an Elevation Award for 53 years of service in education to students, teachers, and parents - June 2
Prairie Vista Elementary students performed a “We are your Triangle of Success” presentation and gave him a planter with all the thumbprints of students (grades K-5) and staff to illustrate the impact he’s had on their lives
- June 3
Retiring Penn Band Director Glenn Northern, leads the Symphonic Winds section of the Kingsmen Marching Band in the Penn High School Fight song outside Dr. Thacker’s office at the Educational Services Center. Click here to see the video on Facebook.
Before the end of the 2024-2025 school year came to a close, Dr. Thacker shared the video message below with P-H-M students, teachers, and families.
Recommendations for Asst. Superintendent and Dir. of Professional Development
Dr. Dean-Null began her educational career as a teacher at Discovery after graduating from Bethel University. Dr. Dean-Null taught at Discovery for 10 years. During that time she took a sabbatical and taught in Ansan, South Korea for a year. While at Discovery, Dr. Dean-Null became a top finalist for the Indiana Teacher of the Year award. With a master’s degree in educational leadership from Indiana University and a Ph.D. from Purdue University, she served as assistant principal of Grissom, principal of Walt Disney, followed by principal of Schmucker before becoming Director of Professional Development and Student Learning. Dr. Dean-Null has a passion for leadership development and has coordinated educational programs abroad for over a decade and presented at educational forums worldwide. She is currently enrolled in Learning Forward’s national Academy and will graduate in June of 2026. Lavon’s commitment to education extends beyond her district role; she shares her expertise at state and national conferences. She is always striving to foster communities of high-achieving learners through continuous growth initiatives, and will be the perfect fit for the next Assistant Superintendent of P-H-M.
Dr. Higginson has spent the last two years as principal of Walt Disney Elementary School and has strengthened student and staff learning through multiple avenues, including being selected to participate in the Indiana Department of Education’s noteworthy “Get Your Teach On” program. She was most recently honored as Indiana’s District II Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals and holds her Ph.D. from Purdue University in educational leadership. Before coming to Penn-Harris-Madison, she served as the District Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction and as an elementary principal at Elkhart Community Schools. She also served at both the elementary and middle school levels in the South Bend Community School Corporation. She will bring a wealth of assets to her new role at Central Office.
Dr. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent
In a special meeting held Tuesday, May 27, the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees unanimously (7-0) approved the appointment of Dr. Heather Short as the district’s next superintendent effective July 1, 2025.
Nearly 50 P-H-M teachers, administrators, staff, family and friends showed up to express their overwhelming support of Dr. Short’s appointment.
Dr. Short, a lifelong educator who has dedicated her entire 31-year career to P-H-M, will succeed Dr. Jerry Thacker, who is retiring after 19 years of transformative leadership. Dr. Short has served as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction since 2017. During her tenure, P-H-M students have experienced consistent academic growth and achievement.
“I am deeply honored by the Board’s confidence and grateful to Dr. Thacker for his mentorship throughout my career,” said Dr. Short. “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to grow as a leader within this incredible district. I’m excited to continue working alongside our talented staff, dedicated families, and exceptional students to expand opportunities and ensure every child thrives.”
Under Dr. Short’s leadership, P-H-M ranks in the top 4% of Indiana districts based on ILEARN scores. The district also outpaces the state average by 20 percentage points in overall percent passing rates.
“There is no one better—or more qualified—to lead P-H-M’s continued path of academic excellence than Dr. Short,” said Chris Riley, President of the Board of School Trustees. “Her academic expertise and visionary leadership in developing rigorous, relevant curriculum have been key to our students’ success. Dr. Short was the Board’s clear and unanimous choice for superintendent.”
P-H-M is home to some of Indiana’s highest-performing public schools in both English/Language Arts and Math. Prairie Vista Elementary ranks #3 in the state, while Discovery Middle School ranks #2. In Spring 2024, P-H-M’s IREAD pass rate was 86.8%, surpassing the state average of 82.5%. Three P-H-M elementary schools—Prairie Vista (97.7%), Northpoint (95%), and Horizon (95.3%)—achieved pass rates above 90%.
Included in her district-wide academic strategy was a robust Response to Intervention (RtI) program and expanded summer offerings that support both enrichment and remediation.
Dr. Short’s leadership journey reflects deep roots and unwavering commitment to P-H-M. She began her career as a classroom teacher before serving as an Instructional Leader and High Ability Coordinator. Click here to learn how Dr. Short and Board Trustee Katie Bell’s paths crossed when Dr. Short was a 3rd grade teacher at Northpoint. In 2004, she became principal of Prairie Vista Elementary. Recognizing her talent for professional growth and instructional excellence, Dr. Thacker appointed her in 2007 as P-H-M’s first Director of Professional Development—a role she held for a decade before being named Assistant Superintendent.
Throughout her career, Dr. Short has been deeply committed to developing others. She co-created a nationally recognized leadership development program designed to build internal capacity among P-H-M educators and administrators. Her strategic focus on professional development has empowered teachers at every level—from new educators to veteran principals—through initiatives like the annual Literacy Summit and the New Teacher Series.
As Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Short has combined her instructional leadership with strong fiscal stewardship. She has overseen the management of multimillion-dollar budgets and successfully secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grants—investments that have directly enhanced classroom instruction, expanded student programs, and strengthened districtwide operations.
“Dr. Short possesses one of the most valuable qualities a leader can have: the ability to build genuine relationships,” said Dr. Thacker. “She makes personal connections with teachers, principals, staff, families—and most importantly, students. She understands the P-H-M culture because she helped build it. There is no one more fitting to serve as the next superintendent.”
After the Board approved Dr. Short as the district’s new leader, Board members shared well wishes and comments. Trustee Katie Bell (elected in November 2024) talked about how things have come full circle for her as a former student of Dr. Short’s when she taught 3rd grade gifted and talented students at Northpoint. The two were actually featured in an article that ran in the South Bend Tribune in March 2003. The article featured Dr. Short teaching her students how to use PowerPoint for their Geography reports on Asia. Click here to read the original story.
Fast forward to 2013 to when Dr. Short was P-H-M’s Director of Professional Development, she interviewed Bell for a teaching position. Bell was hired as a kindergarten teacher in 2016 at Prairie Vista Elementary School and Dr. Short led the professional development for all new teachers.
“Dr. Short and I are a testament that it’s never goodbye, it’s always see you later,” Bell said. “And I think that shows the true impact of a teacher, that they are in your lives forever, and that you will always remember them.”
Media Coverage
Back to School Information
We’re thrilled to welcome back all of our 11,000+ students and are excited to help all our students achieve Excellence.
The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 20, 2025 for grades 1 – 12.
- All students in 1st through 12th grades will report to their school buildings that day, and all those who are signed up for transportation services may ride the bus that day.
- Kindergarten orientation takes place on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 with the first full day of kindergarten being Thursday, August 21st.
BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS. MARK CALENDAR & ATTEND!
- Our elementary schools are hosting many fun Back to School family events starting the week of August 11. Be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal.
- All three Middle Schools are also planning a Walk-Around on Thursday, August 14th. Be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. Make sure you mark your calendar and plan to attend!
- Penn is hosting a “Walk Around” to help parents and students get familiar with the school:
- Penn High School’s “WALK AROUND” on Saturday, August 16, from 9 a.m. – Noon gives students a chance to familiarize themselves with the school and find where their classes and activities are located.
The BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION listed below will help P-H-M parents and students get ready for the 2025-26 School Year!
CONTACTING SCHOOLS OVER THE SUMMER
- Elementary and Middle School Front Offices open Monday, August 4th.
- Penn is open every week day over the summer.
- All schools are open Monday – Friday during business hours. Those hours vary by school.
- Click here for the School Directory of all 15 schools
- Register a new elementary or middle school student by visiting the school after offices open August 4, 2025. Click here to know what documentation you need to bring with you for registration.
- Register a new Penn High School student by calling (574) 254-2851. We will help you schedule your registration appointment and advise you on what information to bring with you to the appointment.
BACK TO SCHOOL PACKETS & FORMS
- Back to School packet & information sheets
- Parent/guardians will sign these three forms in ParentSquare:
- Photo Consent
- Mandatory Curriculum Consent
- Handbook Certification
- These forms will be in Skyward Family Access:
- CHIRP Release
- Chromebook packet
- Authorization to administer non-prescription medication at school
- Back to School Info Sheets
Click here for more information on how to login into your Skyward Family Access account
- Here is the SY 2025-26 one-page calendar showing “at a glance” the start and end dates, as well as scheduled recess and vacation dates.
- All P-H-M families are mailed a District Activities Calendar early August. It lists key school and district events throughout the year.
- Our online (Google) calendars are the most up-to-date. You’ll find a link to the P-H-M Corporate Calendar posted on the home page of the District website. It’s a Google calendar that can be added to your personal calendar.
- Each school also maintains an online Google calendar on the home page of each school website that is updated frequently with the school’s scheduled activities and event details. You can also the school’s Google calendar to your personal calendar to remember important dates.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
- All P-H-M schools provide basic school supplies to our students, free of charge. Therefore, our schools do not issue supply lists. You will need to purchase a backpack, water bottle, lunch box, and other items you want your child to have at home or take with them to school. If other specific items need to be purchased for a class or lab, your child’s teacher will inform you after school starts.
IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES
- Click here to make sure you child is up-to-date with all required immunizations.
- Proof of immunizations must be provided to the school office by the first day of school.
- Kindergarten parents, please click here to learn about important kindergarten health information and medical forms before your kindergartner’s first day of school.
- Click here for the forms administering medications at school
- Click here for more information on P-H-M Healthcare Services
- School bus route times and locations will be shared with parents in a Transportation letter to be emailed before school starts
- Parents can check EZRouting to see your child’s bus route information online
- Here Comes the Bus provides real time GPS bus location info so parents know when to send their students out to the bus stop
- Have more questions about Transportation? Visit their webpage for contact information.
- Visit our Food & Nutrition page to see monthly menus and find nutritional information
- See if you qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch and Textbook Assistance. Click here to apply online.
- Online payment for child’s meals
- Other Payment options
- Penn-Harris-Madison uses ParentSquare to send urgent alerts, such as school closings and delays.
- Principals and teachers also use it for noncurricular school and classroom communications.
- Penn High School coaches and teachers who sponsor clubs, academic teams or extracurricular activities use StudentSquare to safely communicate with students, without exchanging cell phone numbers. Click here for details on how students can sign up for StudentSquare.
- Click here for instructions on setting up your account.
- Once your account is set up, families can chose their preferred mode of communication for non-urgent notifications–app, text, email, phone. You can also chose to have all communications automatically translated to your preferred first language. Click here for details on how to personalize your account and check your notification settings.
- Make sure you sign up for ParentSquare to receive school closings/delays urgent alerts.
- Click to see how, when and what factors into P-H-M’s decision makings for 2-hour delays and closings.
Penn-Harris-Madison’s