Mishawaka, IN  – We are excited to share that L.A. (Kriss) High, an 8th grade Math teacher at Schmucker Middle School & Penn-Harris-Madison’s Secondary Teacher of the Year, has advanced at the state level as one of Indiana’s Top-7 finalists for the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year award! This recognition highlights Mr. High’s impactful teaching and commitment to student success.

When notified about reaching the Top-7, Mr. High had this to say “I am incredibly honored and grateful for this recognition. I’m so excited to be able to represent all past and present teachers, families, and students I’ve worked alongside throughout my career. I could never accomplish any of this without the influence of numerous people throughout my life. Thank you to my wife, Emily, and my daughters, Kate and Molly, for always cheering me on as a teacher. To the rest of my family, friends, colleagues, and students- your impact on my life is far greater than you know.”

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, and his leadership in organizing imaginative fundraising efforts for Riley Hospital for Children—including trivia nights, a “pie‑a‑teacher” contest, and a 150‑mile bike ride that raised nearly $60,000. 

A Top-7 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‑7 finalists out of all of the teachers in Indiana.

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. The final winner will be announced in early Fall 2025.

Celebrating Teaching Excellence

This exciting update builds on our earlier story and affirms the ongoing excellence of L.A. High’s work in educating and inspiring middle schoolers. We’re proud to celebrate his achievements and look forward to cheering him on as the state selection advances.

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

With the Indiana Department of Education’s release today (Wednesday, August 13) of 2025 IREAD-3 results, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Heather Short proudly announces that 93.7% of P-H-M third graders passed IREAD.

P-H-M’s IREAD pass rate increased 6.9 percentage points, up from 86.8% in 2024 to 93.7% in 2025–the largest gain in P-H-M’s history of IREAD testing! 

Horizon Elementary’s third graders achieved a 100% IREAD pass rate. With 115 students tested, Horizon ranks as Indiana’s highest-performing school for both the number of students assessed and the percentage passing.

A total of seven P-H-M elementary schools had pass rates of 90% or higher, including two of P-H-M’s Title I schools: 

• Horizon – 100% 
• Prairie Vista – 98.9% 
• Mary Frank – 98.2%
• Northpoint – 97.1%
• Bittersweet – 95.9%
• Elsie Rogers – 94.6% (Title I school)
• Moran at 93.9% (Title I school)

P-H-M students’ success contributed to Indiana’s overall historic jump of nearly five percentage points to 87.3%–the state’s largest single-year increase since the IDOE launched IREAD in 2013. The previous record for the largest year-over-year increase was set in 2024, and was less than 1%.

The P-H-M Board of School Trustees is celebrating, alongside P-H-M administration, the district’s record-breaking achievement; P-H-M outperformed the state’s pass rate by 6.4 percentage points.

“These scores are a tremendous success story, showcasing the hard work of our third graders and the commitment of their families,” said Dr. Short. “Our students put into practice the literacy foundations taught by P-H-M’s dedicated teachers, and their families reinforced that learning at home. I also thank our principals, administrators, and support staff who worked tirelessly to provide the best and safest learning environments so our students could excel.”

Over 99% of P-H-M third graders will be advancing to fourth grade for the 2025-26 school year. 

“Helping every child pass IREAD is our priority,” said Dr. Short. “P-H-M provides a wide range of supports to help students excel in IREAD and in academics overall. We are grateful for our talented teachers and support staff whose dedication and persistence make a difference every day. Our students also benefit from after-school tutoring and the extra learning opportunities offered through summer school.”

Last year, the Indiana Legislature passed a law requiring a student who does not pass IREAD in second or third grade to receive remediation and attend summer school with two more opportunities to pass. If a student passes IREAD in second grade, they do not have to take it again in third grade. This year marked the first time all Indiana second graders took IREAD. P-H-M participated as a pilot district in Spring 2023 giving all our second graders the opportunity to take IREAD early.

Some students can receive a “good cause exemption” that allows them to continue to fourth grade. There is an automatic retention for third-grade students who do not pass IREAD that do not qualify for the exemption. 

The legislation also requires districts to implement science-of-reading-based curricula and for all K-5 and special education teachers to receive an Early Literacy Endorsement upon license renewal on or after July 1, 2027.

Over 270 P-H-M teachers were trained in LETRS (science of reading training program) last year, meeting the state-required professional development for the  Early Literacy Endorsement. Every summer, P-H-M has nearly a hundred teachers participating in the district’s annual Literacy Summit–a completely voluntary summer professional development opportunity. 

“P-H-M has always recognized the importance and power of professional development,” said Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Lavon Dean-Null. “The connection between well-trained teachers and academic excellence is clear. Our students and families are blessed to have committed teachers, who are lifelong learners, willing to work over the summer, continuing to grow and learn the best and evolving teaching methods.”

All of P-H-M’s 11 elementary schools saw pass rate gains, including double-digit increases at three schools: Bittersweet (+10.9); Meadow’s Edge (+13.7 points); and Walt Disney (+12.6 points). Meadow’s Edge and Walt Disney are Title I schools.

* Denotes Title I school

Other 2025 P-H-M  academic achievements:
In July, the Indiana Department of Education released Spring ILEARN results, and P-H-M students outscored the state average by 20 percentage points in the percentage of students passing both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. This places P-H-M in the top 4% of public school corporations statewide for the second consecutive year.

Northpoint and Prairie Vista rank in the Top 10 across Indiana, while Discovery Middle School earned the #3 spot. Eighth-grade math achievement continues to climb, up 24 percentage points since the benchmark year, now outpacing the state average by a remarkable 28 points.

Penn High School’s academic results also reached new heights in 2025. Among public high schools in SAT pass percentage, Penn vaulted from #27 to #15 in just one year. AP success surged as well—83% of students scored a 3 or higher, marking a 12% jump from last year and nearly doubling the number of qualifying scores since 2021.

Penn maintains a 98% graduation rate, and the Class of 2025 earned an impressive $22 million in scholarships.

Summer is a busy time of year for Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. Although our schools and campuses are busy year round with summer enrichment, athletic, and activity camps, P-H-M Facilities, Maintenance, Grounds, and Custodial Staff take advantage of having less staff and students in our buildings to do necessary maintenance and updates. P-H-M works with valued partners to conduct the majority of Capital Improvement Projects over the summer months.

P-H-M is following its Facility Improvement Plan (which can be found on the P-H-M Facilities web page). Below is a listing of just some of the total work being done this summer across the district, along with a corresponding photos:

Bittersweet Elementary School & P-H-M District Educational Services Center

Mary Frank Elementary School

Walt Disney Elementary School

Discovery & Schmucker Middle Schools

Exterior restrooms and concession stands. Click to see Discovery photo gallery. Click to see Schmucker photo gallery.

Penn High School

Automatic ADA door controls

HVAC upgrades, improving the multistack chillers and the cooling tower heat pumps

The work being done over the course of 2025 is part of P-H-M’s 2-year, $55 million overall Capital Improvement Plan approved by the School Board in November 2023. Click to review the plan and see the project breakdown per school. 

The projects were reviewed and prioritized based on the following improvement criteria: safety and security, learning environment, replacement cycles, and the district’s goal of maintaining and improving the overall appearance and function of each educational facility to create optimal learning opportunities.

These planned improvements are being financed through a Lease Rental and follow the district’s debt service management plan to maintain a stable tax rate, currently the lowest school district tax rate in St. Joseph County.

On Monday, June 9, 2025, Penn High School graduated approximately 852 members of the Class of 2025! Click here for information on this remarkable class responsible for $22 million in scholarships!

Penn-Harris-Madison’s District and Penn High School Communications staff are pleased to offer a video archive of the Commencement Ceremony and a photo gallery from this memorable night. Click here for a PDF of the Commencement Program.

Click below to view the photo gallery of candids taken at Commencement and before.

phmexcellence.com/PhotosClassof2025

The photos are FREE to download. While we try to capture as many graduates as possible, unfortunately it’s not possible to get everyone, but we hope you enjoy this complimentary service.

* Please note Inter-State Photography takes individual pictures of every senior with their diplomas and  Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker.

Those pictures are available for purchase through this Inter-State Photography website, https://cpinterstatestudio.shootproof.com/2025PennCommencement. Password:  PHS2025514 

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. 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.”

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.

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.

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

• South Bend Tribune
• ABC 57
• WSBT-TV
• WNDU-TV

P-H-M’s annual Employee Recognition and Retiree Dinner, held Wednesday, May 21st, was a time for the Corporation as a whole to honor d P-H-M’s Teachers of the Years, Employee of the Year, retirees, and employees who’ve been with P-H-M for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years.

Click these links to view the dinner program, photo gallery and videos of the TOYs and EOY.

This year the retiree group also includes longtime Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, who is retiring at the end of this school year. Way before becoming the district’s leader, a position he’s held for 19 years, Dr. Thacker was a 6th grade teacher at Madison Elementary School, where he taught for five-and-a-half years, before moving to Mary Frank Elementary to teach 5th and 6th grades for eight years. Some of his students from those years are now P-H-M School Board Members and teachers themselves. They and others paid tribute to Dr. Thacker’s commitment to education in this tribute video; click to watch the video below.

School Board of School Trustees Secretary Dana Sullivan was featured in the video. Board President Chris Riley thanked Dr. Thacker for his years of service to P-H-M. Board Members Gary Fox and Katie Bell were also on hand to applaud and congratulate Dr. Thacker and the other retirees, along with the employees for their years of service recognition.

Human Resources Director Bob Thompson served as Master of Ceremonies. Northpoint Principal Lorraine White gave the innovation. Dr. Thacker and Mr. Thompson honored this year’s retirees in attendance by giving them an award. To read the full list of this year’s retirees and employees honored for their years of service with P-H-M, click here to view the dinner program.

Dr. Thacker recognized the Elementary Teacher of the Year Prairie Vista’s Rose Montgomery and Secondary Teacher of the Year Schmucker’s L.A. High, and Employee of the Year Penn’s Whitney Hall.

L.A. High was not present because he was chaperoning students on the 8th grade trip to Washington, DC, but sent the video below to thank everyone for the award.

As part of the recognitions for Mrs. Montgomery and Mr. High, P-H-M Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom McClain gave each teacher a $1,000 grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation to use in their classrooms. Mrs. Hall received a gift certificate.

We thank Everwise Credit Union and the P-H-M Education Foundation for generously sponsoring the dinner. 

Click to watch the videos below about Mrs. Montgomery, Mr. High and Mrs. Hall.

A small sampling of pictures from the dinner is shown below. Click here to view the full photo gallery.

Beginning in June 2025, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation will be transitioning away from paper checks as a payment option to vendors.  

To facilitate this transition, we have partnered with Finexio, experts in commercial payment execution. Through this program, payments will be delivered to you using a Virtual Card, which you can process using your existing card payment solution.

This change in our Accounts Payable process will provided greater flexibility, enabling faster payments, enhanced security, and the elimination of paper checks.

Using Finexio’s Virtual Card will effortlessly integrate with our purchase order payment processing system, enhancing your organization’s cash flow. With payments sitting an average of 6-12 business days the streamlined process is further fortified by advanced security features effectively reducing the risks associated with check and ACH fraud.

Finexio Help Center
If you have any questions, please contact the Finexio Help Center at https://support.finexio.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Finexio Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs can be found on Finexio’s website here: https://www.finexio.com/faq-suppliers

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

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.