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. Heather Short, Superintendent of Schools

• Questions about access to public records under the Freedom of Information Act should be directed to Mrs. Palonis

BUSINESS SERVICES (574) 258-9522

Dr. Thomas Keeley, Executive of Business Services
Lisa Zachary, Administrative Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer

LEARNING DIVISION (574) 258-9588

Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

Questions about the following should be directed to Dr. Dean-Null:

• 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. Mindy Higginson, Director of Professional Development & Student Learning
Lisa Feltz, Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
Beatrice Salati, Learning Division Specialist

EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION (574) 254-2815

Gena L. Todd, Director of Exceptional Education

The Exceptional Education Division at Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation offers free speech and language screenings for three, four, and five-year-old children who reside within P-H-M boundaries. 

For more information, please use the contact info below:

P-H-M Exceptional Education Division

55900 Bittersweet Road

Mishawaka IN 46545

(574) 968-9600

 email Meghan Murphy, Lead Preschool Specialist

The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees is composed of seven members who serve four-year, staggered terms. Click here for more information on the members’ positions and terms.

The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees regular board meetings are held at 6 p.m. Click here for Meeting Dates for the 2025-2026 school year.

Regular meetings are held at the Educational Services Center, 55900 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN, 46545. Members of the P-H-M community are always welcome to attend public meetings of the P-H-M Board. Special Meetings and Executive Sessions are held on an as-needed basis.

Contact Information for Rachel Hoogenboom, Administrative Assistant to the School Board: rhoogenboom@phm.k12.in.us or (574) 258-9570.  

Board Meeting Dates and Types of Meetings

All regular board meetings are held at the Educational Services Center, 55900 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, unless otherwise noted.

Regular Board Meetings – these are regularly scheduled meetings that are open to the public and the media, and held at the Educational Services Center (four meetings each year are held at various school building locations – these meeting locations are noted on the Board Meeting schedule) Members of the public requesting to speak during a regular meeting may do so during the Hearing of Visitors – no sign-up is required, unless there is a request to speak on a specific agenda item, which will require the completion of the request of visitors form to be submitted to the recording secretary prior to the start of the meeting.

Special Meetings – these are meetings that are called to address a single item that requires action by the School Board.  Special Meetings are open to the public and the media, and are held at the Educational Services Center. Members of the public requesting to speak during a special meeting, may do so on the scheduled agenda item only, and must fill out the request of visitors form to be submitted to the recording secretary prior to the start of the meeting.

Executive Sessions – these meetings are closed to the public and the media, and used for discussion of specific items.  No actions are taken by the members of the School Board during an Executive Session.

Click here for the School District Capital Improvement Plans and Financial Data Information.

Click here to view the School District’s 2024 and 2025 Facility Improvement Plans.

Governance Model 

The goal of the governance model is to focus the entire school district – from school board members to administrators, teachers, parents, students and support staff – on the mission of improving student learning. By adopting a Board Governance Compact that clearly supports learning and demands accountability, the board is able to stay the course and set an example that is communicated throughout the district and results in record gains in student achievement. The Governance Compact demonstrates that a climate of accountability starts at the top. The Governance Compact was adopted in June 2000.

P-H-M Board of School Trustees Governance Compact Goals

The goals of the P-H-M Board of School Trustees are as follows:

Goal 1 – Learning being the priority of our schools, Penn-Harris-Madison is accountable for the continuous progress of all students as they work to attain the knowledge and skills as outlined in the P-H-M Student Profile of a Graduate.

• Measurements: Level Testing, ISTEP+, nationally normed tests, CRT data, Writing Assessments and Portfolios, SAT/ACT scores, AP/honors participation, graduation rates, discipline referrals, participation rates in post high school education, satisfaction ratings on student surveys, and vocational success after high school or college.

Goal 2 – Resources for learning in the form of programs, personnel, time, materials, equipment, facilities, and training will be assigned on the basis of fulfilling the learning mission of continuous progress for each and every student. This goal will be executed within funding limits.

• Measurements: To have a balanced budget as determined by the Board of School Trustees per available revenues and expenditures, state allowed fund transfers, and board approved spend-down of available cash reserves. Referendums as needed to determine community’s limit on funding and five-year financial forecast updated annually.

Goal 3 – Foster customer service and positive public relations.

• Measurements: To create an inviting climate in our schools, personalize school experiences for our students, and market a positive image of the school corporation. 

It is both an honor and a privilege to introduce myself as the new Superintendent of the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation.

For the past 31 years, I’ve had the joy of serving this exceptional district—as a teacher, principal, director, and most recently, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction. Along the way, I’ve worked alongside passionate educators, teaching remarkable students, and getting to know you, our dedicated families. These relationships are the heart of P-H-M, and they have shaped the leader I am today.

I want to thank the Board of School Trustees for their confidence in me and express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Jerry Thacker for his mentorship and leadership over the past 19 years. I am honored to carry forward the legacy he helped build.

As a district, P-H-M is on a strong and steady path of academic excellence. We are ranked in the top 4% of all Indiana school districts based on ILEARN results, and we consistently outperform the state average by 20 percentage points. These outcomes are a direct result of our shared commitment to high-quality instruction, meaningful professional development, and strong partnerships with families.

Throughout my career, I’ve remained focused on doing what’s best for students. From expanding Response to Instruction (RtI) and summer enrichment programs to securing grant funding that enhances classroom learning, every decision has been rooted in one goal: helping every child thrive.

I am excited to continue working in partnership with all of you to build on our district’s strengths, address new opportunities, and ensure the safety of our learning environments so that every child benefits from academic excellence and thrives.

Thank you for entrusting us with your children. I am honored to serve you and look forward to all we will accomplish together.

Dr. Heather Short

•  superintendent@phm.k12.in.us

Carolyn Palonis, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent:

• cpalonis@phm.k12.in.us
• 574-258-9595