Penn High School Educational Assistant Whitney Hall received a well-deserved honor this morning when Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker announced that she has been named the 2025 Classified Employee of the Year for Penn-Harris-Madison.

Dr. Thacker, PHM and Penn Administrators, a few of Whitney’s co-workers, and of course students were all in the classroom waiting to surprise Whitney when she returned after a “meeting.” She was genuinely surprised and caught off guard. Click to watch the video below, and then click here to see the full photo gallery.

Since joining the Exceptional Education Academy at Penn in September 2020, Whitney has made a significant difference in her students’ lives. One example of her dedication is her one-on-one work and patient support with a mostly non-verbal student which led to the discovery that the student could solve algebraic equations.

Her co-workers admire Whitney’s willingness to “jump right in” and help no matter the situation. Another example of her commitment to her students is when during an adaptive PE session, Whitney didn’t hesitate to dive into the pool to swim alongside her students.

Whitney also serves as the coach of Penn’s Unified Cornhole Team, a program that brings together general education and exceptional education students in inclusive, team-based competition. Under Whitney’s guidance over the past two years, the program has grown in both participation and impact—celebrating the values of equity, inclusion, and student engagement. These are just a few examples of the impact she makes daily. Every student matters to Whitney Hall.

Whether assisting students with IEPs, assisting with classroom instruction, or mentoring fellow Educational Assistants, Whitney consistently goes above and beyond to ensure students receive the individualized support they need to be successful. She is a true team player.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Whitney plays a key leadership role in building positive culture within the Ex Ed Academy and the greater Penn community. She is a founding member of Penn’s SITA Crew, a group of Educational Assistants who organize morale-boosting activities, staff events, and opportunities to build connection and community within the Exceptional Education team.

Whitney embodies what it means to serve with heart. Her work has made a meaningful difference in the lives of students and staff alike.

During the week of May 5^th, Dr. Thacker will also name P-H-M’s Elementary Teacher of the Year in a surprise announcement. On Monday, 8th grade Schmucker math teacher L.A. High was named Secondary Teacher of the year (click here for details). All three winners will be officially recognized at P-H-M’s Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner on Wednesday, May 21st. Thanks to the P-H-M Education Foundation, the Employee of the Year will receive a plaque and gift certificate and the two Teachers of the Year will also receive a plaque along with grants to use in their classrooms. Both TOY winners will go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in early Fall 2025 by the IDOE. Click here for more information on Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process.

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To mark the start of National Teacher Appreciation Week, Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker is celebrating the district’s most outstanding educators—surprising them with the news that they have been selected as P-H-M’s 2025 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year.

Click to watch the video below of Dr. Thacker surprising Schmucker Middle School 8th grade Math teacher L.A. (Kriss) High announcing he’s been named P-H-M 2025 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Thacker had some help pulling this surprise off. Schmucker Middle School Principal Sarah Smith and others were in on the ruse. As you saw in the video above, they were successful in catching Mr. High off guard. The students enjoyed being in on the fun as well, applauding and cheering.

This isn’t the first time Dr. Thacker has recognized Mr. High for commitment to academic excellence. In Fall 2024, Mr. High received a P-H-M Teacher Impact Award for achieving the highest student growth in 8th-grade math, as measured by ILEARN assessments.

Mr. High is in his 14th year of teaching math to P-H-M middle schoolers (16 years total teaching experience), beginning at Grissom Middle School and now serving at Schmucker. His influence spans generations of students—including current Schmucker counselor/former Grissom student Allie Marks, who nominated him for the award. 

“Math was never my strength,” she reflected. “But Mr. High created a classroom environment where I felt safe to make mistakes and keep trying. Now, as his colleague, I see him doing the same for today’s students—advocating for effective re-teaching strategies, supportive grading practices, and meaningful interventions.”

Beyond his classroom excellence, Mr. High is known for his compassion and commitment to service. For several years, he has supported fundraising efforts for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis—first as a participant and now as the lead organizer of annual initiatives at both Grissom and Schmucker. His creative events over the years, from trivia nights and “pie-a-teacher” contests to the 150-mile bike ride to Indianapolis, have collectively raised nearly $60,000 at both schools!

For Mr. High, teaching is about more than data or test scores. “Success in education is not limited to grades or metrics—it’s measured by the lasting, unquantifiable impact we have on those around us,” he said.

His former student at Grissom and current colleague, Miss Marks, agrees wholeheartedly. “Mr. High is the kind of teacher who reaches the students who believe they can’t learn. I’m grateful to have been in his class—and now, I’m honored to work alongside him.”

During the week of May 5^th, Dr. Thacker will also name P-H-M’s Elementary Teacher of the Year.

and Classified Employee of the Year in surprise announcements. All winners will be officially recognized at P-H-M’s Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner on Wednesday, May 21st. Along with a plaque, the two Teachers of the Year will also receive a grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation to use in their classroom. Both TOY winners will go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in early Fall 2025 by the IDOE. Click here for more information on Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process.

Right before Penn’s Spring Band Concert on Thursday, May 1, 2025 was a perfect time to unveil the sign for the newly renamed EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems) – Tania Bengtsson Center for Performing Arts (Bengtsson CPA for short).

P-H-M parent and Penn Band parent Tania Bengtsson donated $50,000 to P-H-M Education Foundation’s Naming Rights Campaign to have Penn’s CPA renamed after her business EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems). The naming rights for the Bengtsson CPA are in effect for 12 years. Per the Naming Rights Campaign, 80% of Mrs. Bengtsson’s donation will go to PHMEF’s endowment, and 20% comes back to P-H-M to pay for teacher professional development.

The new sign and monitor appear right above the entrance to the CPA. On hand for the sign unveiling were Tania Bengtsson and her family, PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom McClain, PHMEF President Jill Lebbin, PHMEF President-Elect Ginée Ames, PHM Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and his wife Donna, PHM Asst. Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, PHM Director of Professional Development Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher, and Penn Band Director Glenn Northern.

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The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees will hold a Special School Board Meeting on
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 55900 Bittersweet Road,
Mishawaka, Indiana related to the following items:

• The Penn Harris Madison School Board will meet to discuss and hear objections to and support
  for a proposed new contract for a new Superintendent.

The Penn Harris Madison School Board hereby provides public notice in compliance with Indiana
Code § 20-26-5-4.3, Indiana Code § 5-3-1, and Penn Harris Madison Policy 1220.

The proposed new contract details are summarized as follows, and the entire contract can be found at
the following link: phmexcellence.com/SuptContract.

Monetary Value: $205,000 annually for the period of July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2028, which
the amount will be reviewed annually and adjustments made thereto by mutual agreement of the
parties.

Benefits and additional compensation: The Corporation will pay the sum of $30,000 into a 401(a)
and/or 403(b) annually. In addition, the Corporation shall provide the Superintendent with a leased
vehicle, insurance, gasoline, car maintenance and repair. The Corporation shall provide the Superintendent access to a computer workstation and mobile phone. The Corporation shall provide
the Superintendent reimbursement for all expenses incurred for the benefit or in service of the
Corporation, including but not limited to dues for membership in professional and civic associations
as the Corporation and Superintendent agree. The Corporation shall provide short-term disability not
to exceed 90 days. The Superintendent shall be entitled to all additional benefits approved by the
Board for administrative personnel as contained in the Leadership Team Personnel Handbook
including holiday time, disability, medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance and sick days.
The Superintendent is entitled to twenty-five working days of paid vacation during each year with a
maximum of five to be carried forward to the following year.

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 school are then tasked with training the runners for the 6-week club which then culminates with the Running is Elementary one mile race.

More than 500 students participated this year! The students are cheered on by their fellow students, their families, principals, teachers and running coaches; it’s amazing to see the dedication and hard work the students put in to complete the race. Click here to see the full photo gallery below.

Cindy Batalis, Mary Frank P.E. teacher, began the yearly tradition of Running Is Elementary back in 2008. Batalis’ own love for running and her desire to pass that love on to students is evident in the passion she puts into the Running is Elementary event each year. 

CONGRATULATIONS to all the students who participated! It is a tremendous accomplishment to complete a one-mile cross country course race. Below are the race results show 1^st, 2^nd, and third place winners.

Race Results:

5^th Grade Girls Winners

1. 6:31, Bib #518, [Prairie Vista]
2. 6:45, Bib #90, [Elm Road]
3. 7:01, Bib #11, [Bittersweet]

5th Grade Boys Winners

1. 6:03, Bib #484, [Northpoint]
2. 6:21, Bib #221, [Horizon]
3. 6:26, Bib #551, [Prairie Vista]

4^th Grade Girls Winners

1. 6:45, Bib #462, [Northpoint]
2. 7:21, Bib #476, [Northpoint]
3. 7:35, Bib #64, [Bittersweet]

4th Grade Boys Winners

1. 6:27, Bib #309, [Madison]
2. 6:29, Bib #468, [Northpoint]
3. 6:50, Bib #437, [Moran]

Click Here for Full Photo Gallery

• 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 at Grissom Middle School with shuttle buses running to Elm Road School. 

PARENTS: Please give yourselves plenty of time to arrive and get parked. You may end up having to park at Grissom and take the shuttle. Please follow the signs for parking at Grissom; school is still in session and releases at 4:00 p.m.

Spectators who park at Elm Road may be asked to wait to pull out of the lot if student runners are on the course. Please do not get impatient with volunteers; this is for our students’ safety.

Discovery Middle School is proud to announce that in late March 7th grade Social Studies teacher Les Cornelison was named the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Teacher of the Year for Indiana’s District 3 for 2025. The award recognizes exceptional educators who instill the values of civic responsibility, patriotism, and service in their students.

Mr. Cornelison, unaware he had even been nominated, was humbled to receive the news. He credits fellow educator Ryan Towner for submitting the nomination that led to the recognition. “I am very honored to be thought of in this manner,” Les shared.

Each year, the VFW selects one teacher from each state district for this distinction. Winners receive a stipend for both professional development and classroom resources. As the District 3 honoree, Mr. Cornelison is now eligible for consideration at the state and national levels.

Les Cornelison’s life has been a journey of service. He began in the United States Marine Corps from 1990-1994.

Following his military service, Les transitioned into the fire service, rising through the ranks from firefighter to Fire Captain and ultimately Fire Chief with both the Penn Township and Osceola Fire Departments. While working, he pursued his MBA part-time at IU South Bend.

He later served as a U.S. Diplomat in locations including China, the Philippines, Washington D.C., and Afghanistan. After retiring in 2020 and overcoming a spinal injury, Les found a new path in education—bringing decades of real-world experience into his classroom.

“My biggest drive is I want to be adding value to my students,” said Les. “I have my pension. I don’t need to work, but I want to give back and help develop a love of learning in my students.”

We congratulate Mr. Cornelison on this well-deserved honor and thank him for his continued dedication to serving others, both in and out of the classroom!

Along with earning the Transition to Teaching licensure, Mr. Cornelison earned two other degrees from IUSB: Bachelors of Science in Economics, Statistics Concentration and a Masters of Business Management and Administration. You can read more about what led Mr. Cornelison to transition into education. 

As a reminder, the last day of school for students is Thursday, June 5, 2025. This is one day earlier than previously scheduled. 

Due to the absence of local, state, or national elections on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, all P-H-M schools were in session and no longer had a Recess Day on this date. P-H-M Teachers Association worked collaboratively with the District Administration to make these calendar changes.

Indiana law requires schools to be in session for 180 days each year. If necessary, P-H-M can utilize up to three weather-related eLearning days, as permitted under Indiana law (HB-1093). If additional makeup days are needed, they will be added to the end of the school year, following the new last student day, Thursday, June 5, 2025. 

The updated 2024-2025 school year calendar is posted on the P-H-M website, click here to view the updated calendar.

At tonight’s meeting of the Board of School Trustees, the Board voted to approve Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker’s recommendation naming Dr. Thomas Keeley as the new Chief Operating Officer for the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, effective immediately.

Dr. Keeley brings over 30 years of experience in public education, with a strong record of leadership in school operations and finance. Since joining P-H-M in March 2023 as Executive Director of Business Services, he has provided strategic oversight of the district’s $137 million budget, demonstrating sound financial stewardship and a commitment to fiscal responsibility. His expertise has been instrumental in navigating recent changes in state education funding, helping to position the district for continued financial stability and success.

Prior to his tenure at P-H-M, Dr. Keeley served as Director of Operations for Rush County Schools and spent 14 years as Assistant Superintendent of Beech Grove City Schools. His career began as a middle school science teacher, and over the years, he has held roles including wrestling coach, dean of students, athletic director, and principal.

In addition to his K-12 leadership, Dr. Keeley has been actively involved in higher education for the past 14 years as an adjunct professor and lecturer at Indiana State University. He teaches courses in school business finance, facilities planning, public school law, and the role of the public superintendent. He is an engaged member of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) and was named Region 8 Business Manager of the Year in 2014.  He has also served as the state director of INASPA.

Dr. Keeley was named after former COO Dr. Aaron Leniski announced his resignation to take on a new leadership role in the private sector, overseeing operations at a structural engineering firm. While we are excited for him and this next chapter, his departure marks the end of a remarkable 25-year career with Penn-Harris-Madison. Dr. Leniski Is a 1998 Penn graduate and returned to P-H-M in 2000 as a substitute teacher and then assistant football coach. His roles at P-H-M included: Mathematics and Technology teacher at Penn, Penn’s Assistant Athletic Director, Principal of Madison Elementary School, Penn’s Athletic Director, and then became COO in March 2018. In this role, he provided strategic oversight for Facilities, Business Services, Human Resources, Transportation, Safety, and Security while also serving as a key liaison for Penn High School Athletics. His leadership has left a lasting impact, spearheading over $175 million in capital improvement projects to modernize learning environments, upgrade the transportation fleet, and enhance safety protocols and systems districtwide. This includes establishing the Safety Agent program supporting all schools. Furthermore, he worked closely with the PHMEF to promote and expand the district’s naming rights campaign.

Ongoing issues from yesterday’s storm (Sunday, March 30, 2025) still persist, having an impact across our area and school district, and also resulted in P-H-M Administration calling for an eLearning today, Monday, March 31st. Tens of thousands of households and businesses are still without power, and numerous travel hazards remain throughout the district and are actively being addressed. 

Northpoint and Mary Frank Elementary Schools are still without power, and Indiana Michigan Power (AEP) has indicated that restoration efforts in that area could last through late tomorrow evening, Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Right now, P-H-M plans to open all schools tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, with the possible exception of Mary Frank and Northpoint Elementary. 

We will continue monitoring power restoration efforts and will directly communicate with impacted families if Mary Frank and Northpoint Elementary Schools must remain closed and have an eLearning for tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Any announcement of a decision to call an eLearning day would be made by 6:00 am on April 1, 2025.

As a reminder, P-H-M spans 135 square miles, covering Penn, Harris, and Madison townships, which receive service from Indiana Michigan Power (AEP), Mishawaka Utilities, and NIPSCO. 

Meanwhile, P-H-M Transportation and Safety and Security Administrators are actively evaluating road conditions and coordinating with St. Joseph County officials to monitor closures and hazards. If you are aware of conditions that may prevent bus service to your home or neighborhood or have concerns about your child’s safe travel to school tomorrow, you have the following options:

• Transport your child to school yourself, or
• Keep your child home—this will be considered an excused absence, though your child will be responsible for making up any missed work.

P-H-M will allow groups and sponsors to proceed with voluntary, previously planned events and activities this evening, with the exception of Mary Frank and Northpoint Elementary. Participation at P-H-M’s other 13 schools is optional and at the discretion of the organizers.

We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we work through these challenges. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.