News

At Monday night’s P-H-M Board of School Trustees meeting Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, presented three current P-H-M administrators for promotion. This was Dr. Short's first school board meeting as superintendent since she started in the role on July 1. The following administrative changes were approved at the meeting: Randy Williams was approved as the new Director of Academic and Student Support. Williams previously served in ...

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation (P-H-M) proudly shares the outstanding performance of its students on the Spring 2025 ILEARN assessment, as released by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). P-H-M students once again outperformed the state average by an impressive 20 percentage points in the percentage of students passing both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. This achievement places P-H-M in the top 4% of public school ...

Retiring P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, incoming Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, Principal Amy Fadorsen, incoming Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, and Literacy Director Ryan Towner stopped by Horizon on Monday, June 2nd to surprise a couple of our teachers with a big honor for all their hard work with students: Mary Beth Hollinger and Michelle Sanchez. Both Hollinger and Sanchez, along with some other teachers ...

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 ...

Dr. Jerry Thacker is proud and delighted that the Board of School Trustees appointed Dr. Heather Short this week to succeed him as superintendent upon his retirement. From Dr. Heather Short: As the incoming Superintendent, I am thrilled to recommend Dr. Lavon Dean-Null to succeed me as the next Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. In addition, I am also recommending Dr. Mindy Higginson as the next ...

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 ...

For the 12th consecutive year, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation was named among the 2025’s Best Communities for Music Education (​BCME) in the country by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation! P-H-M has received this recognition more than any other school district in Indiana! This year NAMM has named 935 school districts as the nation's Best Communities for Music Education, and P-H-M is one of ...

Horizon Elementary’s Show Choir wrapped up the year with a high-energy performance inspired by classic country music! Students took the stage dressed in western gear—cowboy boots, flannel shirts, denim, and hats—singing classic country songs and performing line dances that got the crowd clapping along. The set was decorated with wagon wheels and oversized guitar picks, creating a fun, country-style atmosphere. The group performed for friends ...

The annual one mile run for P-H-M fourth and fifth graders is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. The race is sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation, This event encourages fitness, healthy choices and wellness. Fourth and fifth graders, from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each ...

Running is Elementary will be held Monday, April 28 (Rain Day is Wed., April 30) at Elm Road Elementary School, 59400 Elm Rd, Mishawaka. Introductions will begin at 2:50 p.m. 5th Grade Girls - 3:00 p.m. 5th Grade Boys - 3:20 p.m. 4th Grade Girls - 3:40 p.m. 4th Grade Boys - 4:00 p.m. Limited parking is available at Elm Road School. Overflow parking is ...