Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustee Mr. Matthew Chaffee, representing Penn Township Seat #1, notified the St. Joseph County Office Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Board Attorney Jon Rogers of his resignation from the P-H-M Board of School Trustees effective October 8, 2025.

Mr. Chaffee was elected to serve on the PHM School Board in November of 2022.

Per Indiana Code 20-23-4-30, school board members’ terms last four years. Mr. Chaffee’s term was set to expire on December 31, 2026.

Per Indiana Code 20-23-4-30, the remaining school board members must appoint an individual to fill the board vacancy within 30 days by a majority vote. The appointee must live within the boundaries of the school corporation and Penn Township and shall serve the balance of the term of the seat being vacated. The individual appointed must possess the qualifications provided for a regularly elected or appointed governing body member filling the office. 

P-H-M bylaw po0142 lists the qualifications for P-H-M School Trustee appointees as follows:

• The appointee must be a resident of Penn Township and must also reside within Penn Township boundaries for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the date of the appointment;
• must be at least 18 years of age per Indiana Code 20-26-4-9;
• and must also be a registered voter.

Residency of Penn Township and the Corporation can be verified by clicking here to view the St. Joseph County township boundaries map. Applicants can check their voter registration status online at https://indianavoters.in.gov/ and print the page that shows their registration status.

Indiana Code 20-23-4-30 does not dictate the process by which the School Board fills vacancies, just that the vacated seats be filled within 30 days. It is at the Board’s discretion to choose the process by which they fill the vacant seats.

The timeline and the process is as follows:

• The process to be considered a Board appointee to one of the two Penn Township vacated seats:
  • Interested applicants must provide the following:
    • A letter of interest addressed to the P-H-M Board of School Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Heather Short
      • Full home address, personal phone number, and email address must be provided as part of the letter.
    • ​Recent resume
    • Copy of proof of age (copy of Passport, Indiana-issued ID, or Driver’s License)
    • Copy of proof of voter registration in St. Joseph County (applicants can check their voter registration status online at https://indianavoters.in.gov and print the page that shows their registration status)
    • Copies of two proofs of Penn Township residency for at least two years prior (proofs of residency must be tied to the home location, such as property tax statement, dated mortgage closing documents, apartment lease, or current utility bill). Click this link to view the St. Joseph County township boundaries map to help determine Penn Township and Corporation residency eligibility. 
    • Other supporting documents, such as reference letters, are optional.
    • When applicants submit their application materials, they will be provided with an Applicant Information Packet. 

*Please note that a preliminary background check will be conducted on all applicants, followed by a more comprehensive one once the finalists are chosen.

• Monday, October 20, 2025
  • APPLICATION WINDOW NOW CLOSED!
  • ​4:30 p.m.– Deadline to have all materials listed above submitted to the Educational Services Center (55900 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN  46545) either in hard copy form or emailed to Administrative Assistant to the Board, Rachel Hoogenboom, at rhoogenboom@phm.k12.in.us.
  • All eligible applicants should note that letters of interest and resumes will be placed on the P-H-M website after the submission deadline. Letters of recommendation and items that disclose personal information (such as voter registration, driver’s license, proof of residency) will not be posted or disclosed.

• Monday, October 20, 2025  – The Board of School Trustees meets in an Executive Session to review and discuss the applicant pool and make the final selection of at least three appointee candidates.

• Tuesday, October 21, 2025
  • Letters of intent and resumes of all applicants will be placed on P-H-M’s website.

• Tuesday, October 21, 2025 – Finalists are contacted (via phone and/or email) to schedule an interview date/time.

• Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – The Board of School Trustees holds a Special Board Meeting in public to interview the final appointee candidates. 

• Monday, November 3, 2025 – The Board of School Trustees holds a Special Board Meeting in public to vote to fill the vacant Penn Township Board position.  

• Friday, November 7, 2025 – The Board Attorney will administer the Oath of Office of the newest P-H-M School Trustee at the Attorney’s offices.  
• Monday, November 10, 2025 – The Board of School Trustees holds the regularly scheduled Board Meeting. The newest P-H-M School Trustee will participate in this meeting. A public Oath of Office will take place at the beginning of the meeting.

All meetings will take place at the Educational Services Center (55900 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka). While the meetings are being conducted in public and the public is welcome to attend and observe, public comment will not be part of the Special Board Meeting format.

Per Indiana Code 20-23-4-30, school board members’ terms last four years. Mr. Chaffe’s term was set to expire on December 31, 2026. The new appointee may choose to run for election for the ensuing four-year term, with elections taking place in November 2026 for Seat 1.

The P-H-M Board of School Trustees is a governing body of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. School Trustees are elected by members of Penn, Harris, and Madison Townships unless otherwise appointed as outlined by Indiana Code. School Boards conduct the business operations of the school district in view of the public. 

We know there will be public interest in this process. We ask that all members of the public familiarize themselves with Indiana Code 20-23-4-30. In the case of Board vacancies, when a board member leaves before the expiration of their term, there is no public election process. The Board chooses and names the appointee to fill the vacancy. Indiana Code charges the Board to be thorough in their process, act swiftly, and to conduct the interview process in a format that the public can view. 

If you have any questions on Indiana Code or how this process works, please visit the Indiana General Assembly website or the website for Indiana’s Public Access Counselor.

The P-H-M Board of School Trustees approved a request from the P-H-M Education Foundation Naming Rights Campaign to rename the Educational Services Center the Dr. A. Dean Speicher Educational Services Center after the longtime superintendent who led P-H-M for 21 years, from 1971 to 1992.

The renaming of the ESC is sponsored by Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker who donated $10,000 and will be in effect for 12 years. Dr. Thacker retired in July 2025 after 19 years leading P-H-M as superintendent. Dr. Speicher hired Dr. Thacker as 6th grade teacher at P-H-M’s Madison Elementary School. Dr. Speicher became Dr. Thacker’s mentor and friend.

A native of Middlebury, IN, Dr. Speicher graduated from Ball State University in 1959 with a degree in business education and administration and a minor in journalism. He began his career teaching journalism at Highland Senior High School in Northwest Indiana and went on to earn a master’s degree in public relations from Indiana University in 1965. By 1967, he had completed a doctorate in educational administration and supervision from Ball State. He returned to Highland as assistant superintendent before coming to Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation in 1971 serving as superintendent for two decades.

Under his leadership, Dr. Speicher fostered a “culture of excellence” in P-H-M. He believed in setting the bar high for both academics and athletics.

In 1973, Speicher hired Chris Geesman as Penn High School football coach, a decision that transformed the school’s program. Under Geesman’s leadership, the Kingsmen went on to secure five state championships and establish itself as a powerhouse in Indiana football. In recognition of this impact, Speicher was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

Physically, Dr. Speicher transformed the P-H-M School Corporation from just over 3,000 students in 1971 to over 9,000 students in 1992. Facilities were built or remodeled to accommodate the growth during his years as superintendent:

• Educational Services Center (ESC) –1974
• Bittersweet Elementary School – 1980
• Mary Frank Elementary School – 1982
• Elsie Rogers Elementary School – 1982
• Moran Elementary School – 1982
• Madison Elementary School – 1986
• Elm Road Elementary School – 1987
• Prairie Vista Elementary School – 1989
• Penn High School major renovations including the Center for Performing Arts, expanded gym and swimming pool – 1991

Dr. Speicher held a number of leadership roles at both the state and national levels:

• Board Member of Ball State University (Muncie, IN), 1971 – 1975
• President of Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS), 1978 – 1979
• Chairperson of American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Academy for School Executives,1981 – 1983
• President of American Association of School Administrators (AASA), 1989 – 1990

The Thackers’ gift honors Dr. Speicher’s exemplary service, unwavering commitment to excellence, and visionary leadership that profoundly shaped P-H-M and the greater community. His legacy of innovation, integrity, and devotion to students, staff, and families is commemorated in the renaming of the ESC–past, present, and future.

This makes the sixth donation Dr. and Mrs. Thacker have made as part of the PHMEF Naming Rights Campaign, recognizing the contributions P-H-M employees have made to the community. Click here for more details.

1. Chris Geesman Kingsmen Athletic Center (formerly the Kingsmen Athletic Center), $25,000 donated in December 2021 ($5,000 per year over five years, for an overall period of 12 years)
2. Al Rhodes Kingsmen Court, $10,000 donated in October 2023 
3. Arthur M. Klinger Planetarium (formerly the  P-H-M DVT & Planetarium), $10,000 donated in January 2024
4. Yeoman Family Plaza, $10,000 donated in March 2024 
5. Greg Dikos Field, $10,000 donated in August 2024
6. Dr. A. Dean Speicher Educational Services Center, $10,000 donated in October 2025

During his nearly 20 as superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, Dr. and Mrs. Thacker supported the Education Foundation wholeheartedly. Since 2006 and with this latest gift, Dr. and Mrs. Thacker donated $242,500 to PHMEF, including this most recent donation. Most of this money has either been unrestricted donations or used as matching funds for fundraising initiatives.

The mission of the Education Foundation is to develop alternative sources of income to support education initiatives in the School Corporation by strengthening partnerships between the community and the District. PHMEF supports education through awarding innovative teaching grants, scholarships to students, staff development and other corporation-wide initiatives.

Per PHMEF’s naming rights fundraising initiative, 80 percent of the donation will go into the Foundation’s endowment, which will in turn provide alternative and additional funding for various co-curricular and extracurricular programs. The remaining 20 percent directly funds professional development initiatives for P-H-M teachers. Continuing education and training of teachers is a major priority for P-H-M School District.

P-H-M hosted a districtwide drug awareness parent and community meeting on Tuesday October, 21, 2025 to help educate P-H-M families and the greater community about the current drug trends attracting teenagers. This valuable information is something all adults should be aware of, click the image above to watch the recorded video of the presentation. It will only be available until end of business day Thursday, Nov. 20th.

The session was led by Tall Cop Says Stop™ contracted educator, Melissa Moore, CPS. Tall Cop Says Stop™ was created by Officer Jermaine Galloway, an Idaho law enforcement officer since 1997. Galloway is regarded as one of America’s top experts in various drug and alcohol trends and specializes in underage drinking and drug enforcement. For more than 15 years, he has trained school administrators and safety personnel in spotting the dangers that threaten teens and the community. Melissa Moore, a 24-year public health experienced professional, who works to advance the mission of Tall Cop Says Stop™ in helping educate parents/guardians and students about the latest deadly effects of so-called recreational drug use.

Click here to access Melissa Moore’s resources referenced in her presentation.

Questions can be directed to the presenter at m3consultingllcwi@gmail.com.

Moore also presented a student focused presentation to Penn students (grades 9-12) during the school day on October 21st and 22nd.

The Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation administration and members of the Penn-Harris-Madison Teachers Association (PHMTA) will conduct a Public Hearing on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., local time, at the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Educational Services Center, located at 55900 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, Indiana.

Public testimony will be taken at this meeting pursuant to Indiana Code 20-29-6-1(a).

Click Here for the notice.

The public hearing will be live streamed on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PennHarrisMadison

Mishawaka, IN – We are thrilled to announce that L.A. (Kriss) High, an 8th grade Math teacher at Schmucker Middle School and Penn-Harris-Madison’s Secondary Teacher of the Year, has advanced at the state level as one of Indiana’s Top 3 Finalists for the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year award! This incredible recognition continues to highlight Mr. High’s impactful teaching and dedication to student success.

Today, September 3rd, 2025, members of the Indiana Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year selection committee made a surprise classroom observation at Schmucker Middle School and delivered the exciting news that Mr. High had been elevated to the Top 3. Over the coming days and weeks, the IDOE will continue its process of evaluating finalists before announcing the statewide winner this fall.

When notified about reaching the Top 3, Mr. High shared:

“Once again, I am incredibly grateful and humbled to be named as a Top 3 Finalist for Indiana Teacher of the Year. Thank you to my wife, Emily, and our daughters, Kate and Molly, who have been constant supporters all these years and through this entire process. When I reflect on my career as a teacher, I can’t help but think of the people and the relationships that have been built through the years. I have been blessed to be surrounded by people in my life who have impacted me from childhood until now. I wish I had the chance to personally recognize each one in a manner that they deserve, but I hope all of those people know how much they have meant to me throughout my life. To the rest of my family, friends, and co-workers—thank you for the influence you’ve had on my life.”

From District Honors to Statewide Recognition

On May 5, 2025, now-retired Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker surprised Mr. High with the news that he had been named P-H-M’s 2025 Secondary Teacher of the Year. The announcement recognized his exceptional performance in 8th-grade math, particularly his award for highest student growth on ILEARN assessments. 

Impact Outside the Classroom

In addition to his outstanding performance in the classroom, Mr. High has demonstrated leadership by organizing imaginative fundraising efforts for Riley Hospital for Children—including trivia nights, a “pie-a-teacher” contest, and a 150-mile bike ride that has raised tens of thousands of dollars over the years.

A Top 3 Finalist in Indiana

Following this impressive district-level honor, Mr. High entered the Indiana Teacher of the Year (INTOY) process. As of now, he is one of the Top‑3 finalists out of all of the teachers in Indiana. We announced on August 15th, 2025 when Mr. High was named a Top-7 Finalist.

What’s Next?

Finalists are evaluated by a committee that includes former Indiana Teachers of the Year, IDOE staff, educational and community leaders, and representatives from higher education. With today’s advancement to the Top 3, Mr. High is now one step closer to potentially being named the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year. The final winner will be announced in early Fall 2025.

Celebrating Teaching Excellence

This exciting milestone affirms the impact of L.A. High’s work in educating and inspiring middle schoolers. P-H-M is proud to celebrate his achievements, and we look forward to cheering him on as the state selection process continues.

— For more background on how Mr. High was named P-H-M’s Secondary Teacher of the Year, visit our May 5 article.

*Update* – This event has been moved from September 18th to Friday, September 19th

ESS hires substitute teachers and aides, along with Exceptional Education Assistant positions.

Can’t make it to one of the Hiring Events listed above. Click here to apply today. Be sure to enter Penn-Harris-Madison in the search box.

Pre-sale tickets for the Mishawaka at Penn Football game are on sale now!

🗓️Friday, Aug. 29

🏈Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

📍Penn’s Everwise/Freed Field

🍔🌭Come early (5:00 – 6:30 p.m.) and enjoy a budget, family friendly meal at the Community Tailgate. Click for more details.

Tickets can be purchased at Penn High School and Mishawaka High School.

If purchasing in person at Penn, enter Door A, which is located on the west side of the building. Upon entering, ask for the Athletic Office. Tickets can be purchased daily from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. until Thursday, Aug. 28. Tickets can be purchased on game day from 9 a.m.- Noon in the Athletic Office.

Tickets are $6 until game day. Game day tickets are $7. These are CASH ONLY transactions!

Click here to purchase tickets online.

Students and Patrons please the graphic below to be aware of the items prohibited from bringing into the Stadium.

P-H-M’s Annual Community Tailgate is a long-standing tradition that brings families, students, staff, and community members together to show their Penn pride. The event is held before the Penn Football home opener and is a chance for everyone across the district to connect, celebrate, and support the Kingsmen.

This year’s home opener will be “The Backyard Brawl” against Mishawaka on Friday, August 29th, 2025. Click here for game ticket info.

Gates open at 5:00 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the south end zone at the Yeoman Family Plaza.

Friday night marks the 67th meeting between Penn and Mishawaka. Penn leads the all-time series 49-16-1.