P-H-M Leadership Contacts

If you have a question or concern please start by contacting your building principal. If the problem is not resolved at the school level, below is a list of people to contact, including their phone numbers and email addresses.
 
All mail deliveries should be addressed to the attention of the appropriate party at the P-H-M Educational Services Center, 55900 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka IN 46545.  To reach the operator at the district’s switchboard, dial 574-259-7941.
 
When P-H-M Schools are in session, the office hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. During Summer Recess, hours are 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
 

BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES (574) 258-9570
Rachel Hoogenboom, Administrative Assistant to the Board of School Trustees

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT (574) 258-9595

Dr. Jerry Thacker, Superintendent of Schools

  • Questions or concerns not resolved by contacting the appropriate administrator should be brought to the superintendent’s attention
  • Carolyn Palonis, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent
  • Questions about access to public records under the Freedom of Information Act should be directed to Mrs. Palonis

BUSINESS SERVICES (574) 258-9522
Dr. Aaron Leniski, Chief Operating Officer
Lisa Zachary, Administrative Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer

LEARNING DIVISION (574) 258-9588

Dr. Heather Short, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

Questions about the following should be directed to Dr. Short:

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • Office for Civil Rights Compliance
  • Non-discrimination and accommodation under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Student harassment or bullying 

Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, Director of Professional Development & Student Learning
Director of Literacy and Title 1, Ryan Towner
Beatrice Salati, Learning Division Specialist

EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION (574) 254-2815

Gena L. Todd, Director of Exceptional Education

  • Questions about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should be directed to Ms. Todd.

​Mary Petersen, Administrative Secretary

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION & SPECIAL PROJECTS (574) 258-9505 

Mr. Derrick White, Director of Special Projects and Alternative Education

  • Questions about homeless students should be directed to Mr. White

HUMAN RESOURCES (574) 258-9571

Mr. Bob Thompson, Director of Human Resources

Questions about the following should be directed to Mr. Thompson:

  • Equal Employment Opportunities (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act)
  • Sexual Harassment (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972)

Stephanie Cates, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Human Resources, 
Lyndsey Smith, Benefits Coordinator

TECHNOLOGY (574) 254-2829

Matt Hapke, Director of Information and Technology
Laura Figueroa, Administrative Secretary

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC RELATIONS (574) 259-7941
Lucha Ramey, Director of Communications

  • Media/reporter requests should be directed to Mrs. Ramey

Jenny Forkner, Community Education Coordinator/Admin. Secretary
Joseph Fratena, Multimedia Producer

FOOD SERVICE (574) 254-2814
Jill Riggs, Director of Food Service
Michael Alwine, Assistant Director of Food Service
Mindy Jaroch, Secretary 

FACILITIES (574) 258-9566

Joe Winters, Director of Facilities

  • Questions about indoor air quality should be directed to Mr. Winters

Jason Messner, Assoc. Director of Facilities – Energy Management
Joseph Zappia, Facilities Manager
Debbie Casper, Administrative Secretary 

TRANSPORTATION (574) 258-9565
Brandon Tugmon, Director of Transportation
Amy Aschenbrenner, Asst. Director of Transportation

SAFETY AND SECURITY (574) 258-9551
Tommy Teeter, Director of Safety and Student Services
Jill Reppert, Safety & Security Office Assistant