Recommendations for Asst. Superintendent and Dir. of Professional Development

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.
 
  
Dr. Heather Short
Incoming Superintendent Dr. Heather Short
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 Director of Professional Development and Student Learning.
 
Dr. Thacker will present these recommendations to the School Board for approval at the June 23rd Meeting.

 

 
Dr. Lavon Dean-Null
Dr. Lavon Dean-Null

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. Mindy Higginson
Dr. Mindy Higginson

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. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent Dr. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent 

Dr. Heather Short & Dr. Katie Jenner
Dr. Short with IDOE Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner

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.”

Dr. Heather Short with students
Dr. Heather Short with students (2016)

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.

Dr. Heather Short Approved Dr. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent Dr. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent

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.

Heather Short 2003 SB Tribune news article picture Heather Short 2003 SB Tribune news article

Dr. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent
Katie Bell as kindergarten teacher at Prairie Vista (2016)

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

Meal Prices

PHM School Meal Program 2024-2025 

P-H-M school meals are healthy, well-balanced and tasty as well as providing students the nutrition they need to succeed at school. School menus are posted here and at Schoolcafe.com. 

School meals offer students milk, fruits and vegetables, proteins and whole grains, and they must meet strict limits on saturated fat, sodium and portion size. A detailed analysis of lunch entrees can be found on Schoolcafe.com.

Breakfast Programs – For parents with busy schedules, it can be hard to make sure that kids are eating a healthy breakfast before they go to school in the morning. Sometimes children aren’t hungry right after waking up, and it’s hard to find food they like to eat that is also healthy. Also, some kids refuse breakfast at home but are hungry when they arrive at school. Fortunately, we have a great breakfast program for all students, and it’s available at school every day.

If morning meals are difficult for your family, let the School Breakfast Program help you out! Free meal students receive a free breakfast. Reduced price breakfast for qualified students is $.30. Regular priced breakfast is $1.35 at elementary and $1.60 at secondary. À la carte is also available at the middle and Penn High School. All elementary and secondary schools serve breakfast each morning.

Lunch Program – Students in all schools are offered many choices that they can combine into a complete lunch. The complete lunch includes 1 Entrée, fruit, vegetable, and milk. Students must take at least 1 fruit or vegetable but may take both or 2 fruits or 2 vegetables. Students not selecting a minimum of 3 items will be charged à la carte for the items chosen. Students choosing more than 1 Entrée and 3 sides will be charged on an à la carte basis for the additional items. Meal prices are $2.50 for elementary, $2.75 for middle and high schools. Approved free students will receive lunch for free and reduced lunch is 40 cents. Elementary students are required to purchase a complete lunch unless the student has brought their lunch from home. 

Snack Purchases – A variety of snacks and drinks meeting the new “Smart Snacks” regulation are offered to students. Snack purchases are limited in the elementary and middle schools as follows: Elementary students are limited to one snack and one additional drink per day. Middle School students are limited to two snack purchases and one additional drink per day. Parents can block snack purchases by going to Schoolcafe.com when putting money on their child’s debit card. Snack prices at the elementary range from $.50 to $1.50. À la carte at the middle and high schools is from $.50 to $3.50. 

Debit Cards – This is an easy to use option so your child does not need to bring money daily. You may pay online at Schoolcafe.com or send cash or check into the school. Please specify your child’s name and “lunch money” on the envelope. You may register your child on Schoolcafe.com to monitor their purchases. Please keep in mind that per district policy, refunds are only made for $20.00 or more. We are always happy to move money between student accounts. 

Free/Reduced Meal and Textbook Applications can be complete online at SchoolCafe.com. You can access this by computer or mobile device. After the application is approved, you can print off confirmation letters from the website. If you are unable to complete an online application, paper applications are available at each school. 

Meal Charges Please make sure your child has meal money daily. Charges are not allowed for à la carte items that are packaged. Please see the Meal Charge policy for details.

SchoolCafe 

School Cafe Flyer

The National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) requires school food authorities to establish written administrative guidelines for meal charges. Penn Harris Madison School Corporation will adhere to the following meal charge guidelines:

  1. Cafeteria purchases are to be prepaid before meal service begins or at the Point of Sale either by credit or debit card or EFT using the food service online payment system, by cash or check at the point of sale or in the individual school office.
  2. A student may charge up to three (3) meals maximum (one charge per meal) as long as they establish and maintain a good credit history of making payments on their food service accounts.
  3. A staff member may charge up to $3.00 as long as they establish and maintain a good credit history of making payments on their food service accounts.
  4. A student who has charged a meal may not charge or purchase à la carte item(s), including extra main entrees.
  5. Schools may deny a meal to a student who pays reduced or full price and who does not provide the required payment for that meal following three charged meals. The student and the parent must be notified at least 24 hours in advance that future meals will be denied. The Site Leader will keep a record of notifications.
  6. The Site Leader or other school personnel will coordinate communications with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to resolve the matter of unpaid charges.
  7. If food and nutrition services staff suspects that a student may be abusing this policy, written notice will be provided to the parent(s)/guardian(s) that if he/she continues to abuse this policy, the privilege of charging meals may be refused.
  8. The Site leader will send home or email letters at least once each week to parents of students who have low balances. The site leader will also make phone calls at least twice a week to all parents of students who have negative balances.
  9. All accounts must be settled at the end of a school year. Letters will be sent home approximately five (5) days before the last day of school to students who have any negative balances. Negative balances of more than $10.00 not paid in full thirty (30) days prior to the start of the following school year will force the District to take action to collect unpaid funds by means of collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method deemed necessary by the District. The United States Department of Agriculture does not allow school nutrition programs to write-off debt.
  10. Refunds of meal account balances will be made through a check mailed to the student address on record. To request a refund call or email the Food Service Office at 574-254-2814 or mjaroch@phm.k12.in.us. Refunds will only be processed for balances of $20.00 or more unless the student is approved for free or reduced meals. You may request a transfer of any amount to be moved to another student account.
  11. This information will be shared with parents on the PHM website and through the first day of school packet. It will also be shared with appropriate school staff.

Breakfast

*See the list above to see what P-H-M schools serve breakfast.

  • Elementary: $1.35
  • Middle and High School: $1.60
  • Reduced Price for all eligible students: $0.30
  • Click Here for Free/Reduced Application
  • Adult Price: $2.50

Lunch

  • Elementary: $2.50
  • Middle and High School: $2.75
  • Reduced Price for eligible students: $0.40
  • Click Here for Free/Reduced Application
  • Adult Price: $4.60

Snacks & À la carte

Snacks at the elementary range from $.50 to $1.50 each.

À la carte purchases at the middle and high schools range from $.50 to $3.50. 

Payment Options

You can pay for child’s meals online using a debit or credit card or by  cash or check at the school. Click here for more details on the payment options.

Meal Price Guidelines

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) requires school food authorities to establish written administrative guidelines for meal charges. Penn Harris Madison School Corporation will adhere to the meal charge guidelines. Click here to read those guidelines.

Middle School Menus

Breakfast & Lunch is served at all three middle schools.

Monthly Menus:

*School menus are also posted in Schoolcafe.com. 

The Penn-Harris-Madison Food Service department implements the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) system. OVS allows students to accept or decline some of the food offered as part of a complete meal. The goals of “OVS“ are to reduce food waste in the school nutrition programs and to allow students more customization of the meal they select. 

CLICK HERE to fill out a new application for Free / Reduced Lunch. 

*Due to nation-wide supply shortages, meals could be subject to change. Products or menu items are being substituted when a school kitchen runs out of any particular item. School kitchen staff are trying to make sure that the students have their first choices available, but that may not always be possible. If a student has a specific dietary need, the family is welcome to fill out a special diet form that can be obtained from the school nurse or click here to download it off our website, and then there will be a full meal waiting for the student each day. 

Breakfast benefits

Elementary School Menus

Breakfast & Lunch is served at all 11 elementary schools.

Monthly Menus:

*School menus are also posted in Schoolcafe.com. 

The Penn-Harris-Madison Food Service department implements the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) system. OVS allows students to accept or decline some of the food offered as part of a complete meal. The goals of “OVS“ are to reduce food waste in the school nutrition programs and to allow students more customization of the meal they select. 

CLICK HERE to fill out a new application for Free / Reduced Lunch. 

*Due to nation-wide supply shortages, meals could be subject to change. Products or menu items are being substituted when a school kitchen runs out of any particular item. School kitchen staff are trying to make sure that the students have their first choices available, but that may not always be possible. If a student has a specific dietary need, the family is welcome to fill out a special diet form that can be obtained from the school nurse or click here to download it off our website, and then there will be a full meal waiting for the student each day. 

Breakfast benefits

Payment Options

DEBIT CARDS AND CREDIT CARDS

We recommend that parents create a SchoolCafé account to pre-pay for meals online using a debit or credit card. Visit P-H-M’s PAY MEALS ONLINE page to learn more about the many benefits of using SchoolCafé.

CASH OR CHECK

​If you prefer to pay the school via cash or check, please write your child’s name and “lunch money” on the envelope. Don’t forget to specify either “Meal account” or “Ala-carte account.”  The meal account only allows full meal purchases, while ala-carte allows for the purchase of snacks as well as meals.

 

Note that when you provide a check as payment for a food purchase in the food service department, you authorize the P-H-M Food Service Department to process the payment as a check transaction. Federal Automated Recovery Systems (FARS) processes our electronic collection of checks returned for insufficient funds (NSF).  ​

PAYMENT TERMS

Please make sure that your child has lunch money available each day. Children without lunch money may be required to call home, or be served a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, milk and fruit, after the first charged meal. You will still be charged for peanut butter and jelly meals. Ala-carte and snack items may not be charged.

If your child has a negative balance, they will not be allowed to purchase snacks. Food Services is not allowed to carry negative balances on children’s accounts in the National School Lunch Program so if a meal is charged for your student, you must pay the amount due the following day.

Free/Reduced Meals Assistance

Your family may be eligible for assistance paying for cafeteria meals. 

Households that meet the financial guidelines of the National School Lunch Program are eligible for free or reduced meal prices. To receive this support parents must apply annually and provide information that serves to verify household income. The application is easy to fill out; you can choose online or paper format.  Please make sure to submit only one form (application) per household, even if the children are in different schools.  

We encourage P-H-M parents to apply online at this website: www.schoolcafe.com.

Applying online is faster and easier than using printed forms, and your benefits will start sooner!

Prefer to apply using a paper form? ​

Questions about the application process should be directed to Administrative Assistant of Food Service Mindy Jaroch, click here to email or call (574) 254-2814.

Summer Food Service Program

Summer School Food Service 2025:

PHM will be supplying free breakfast and lunch to all of our summer school students. We will also be operating public serving sites at the school hosting summer school. Participants will receive one free breakfast and lunch meal per child. Students who are attending summer school will get their meals with summer school.

Meals for summer school students will be available at both elementary locations, Moran Elementary School (Main Entrance) 6/12/25- 7/2/25 and Meadows Edge Elementary School Door A (Main Entrance) 6/12/25-7/2/25.

Summer Food Service Program:

The Food Service Department of the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is participating in the Summer Food Service Program.

Summer is here and so are FREE MEALS!!!! ALL children 18 years of age and under are eligible to receive a FREE lunch at any of the locations listed below.

Children do not have to attend a PHM school and no student ID is required

The only requirement is to enjoy your lunch at the site. Food may not be taken off site to eat.

Adults (over age 18) may enjoy a meal for a charge of $5.00.

The program will operate Monday through Friday, June 9, 2025-August 15,2025.

All sites will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025.

The locations, times and dates can be seen in the graphic below, or click here.

Summer Food Service Program 

*Menu items are subject to change based on product availability

To find additional Summer Food Service site please use the resources:

 

Contact Penn-Harris-Madison Food Services at 574-254-2814.  

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

Special dietary needs in the school breakfast or lunch program

This form is used by a medical professional to certify dietary needs related to a student’s health condition or disability

Medical Statement for Children with Special Needs in the School Breakfast and Lunch Program

Penn Menus

Breakfast & Lunch is served at Penn High School.

Menus:

Click Here for Information on our Summer Food Service Program

CLICK HERE to fill out a new application for Free / Reduced Lunch. 

*If a student has a specific dietary need, the family is welcome to fill out a special diet form that can be obtained from the school nurse or click here to download it off our website, and then there will be a full meal waiting for the student each day.  

Benefits of Breakfast 

  • Eating breakfast can help improve math, reading, and standardized test scores
  • Children who eat breakfast are more likely to behave better in school and get along with their peers than those who do not
  • Breakfast helps children pay attention, perform problem-solving tasks, and improves memory
  • Children who eat school breakfast are likely to have fewer absences and incidents of tardiness than those who do not
  • By eating breakfast, students get more of important nutrients, vitamins and minerals such as calcium, dietary fiber, folate and protein
  • Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast on a regular basis are less likely to be overweight
  • Eating breakfast as a child is important for establishing healthy habits for later in life
  • Schools that provide breakfast in the classroom to all students have shown decreases in tardiness and suspensions as well as improved student behavior and attentiveness
  • What you eat for breakfast can have an impact on learning. One study showed that eating breakfast food high in fiber and low in sugar for breakfast helped students sustain the cognitive effects of breakfast
  • School Breakfast provides daily servings of fruit, whole grains, and milk, plus roughly ¼ the recommended calories needed for lasting energy