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.

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.

A new chapter in Penn High School’s rich sports history will begin in the Fall of 2025, as the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees voted to approve the formation of a Girls Flag Football Program. 

The P-H-M School Board vote on Monday, March 24, gives a green light to join the Girls Flag Football initiative in Indiana. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced on Monday that 55 schools have committed to Girls Flag Football Teams for the 2025 season, an increase from 27 teams in 2024.

“We are thrilled to add girls flag football as a fall sport at Penn,” Athletic Director Jeff Hart said. “With the strong support of the IHSAA and the Indianapolis Colts, the interest around the state has been strong and we look forward to building a program that competes at a high level.  We will begin the process soon of hiring a head coach and meeting with interested students. We can’t wait to get started!”

The IHSAA is one of 19 state associations currently piloting the Girls Flag Football in conjunction with the NFL and the Indianapolis Colts. The NFL and the Colts are providing grants to Penn High School totaling $6,500 to support the 2025 and 2026 seasons. In addition, they will provide 25 black jerseys with “Vegas gold” lettering.

Plans are for Penn to play a seven-game regular-season schedule followed by the state tournament. The Northern Indiana Conference is projecting six teams for the 2025 season – Penn, Elkhart, South Bend Adams, South Bend Riley, South Bend St. Joseph and South Bend Washington.

Girls Flag Football will be played in a 7-vs.-7 format, with games lasting 60 minutes.

Plans are for Penn to field a Varsity team in 2025, with a Junior Varsity team to be added later. Tryouts/practice for the Penn Flag Football Team are scheduled to start on Monday, August 4.

Previously, Penn offered a Girls Flag Football tournament once a year around Homecoming, called “Powder Puff.” Four teams, made up of student-athletes from each class year, playing each other. The annual tournament has been very popular, and will remain part of Penn’s Homecoming week traditions.

Girls Flag Football at Penn will provide a new competitive outlet that fosters teamwork, leadership, and increased participation in education-based athletics. As the sport gains traction nationwide, this program will offer female students access to emerging scholarship opportunities and potential career pathways in sports. Additionally, it will strengthen the Penn Athletic community, build school spirit, and further enhance Penn’s reputation as a leader in Indiana high school sports.

Today the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce held its annual Salute to Business recognizing the contributions and accomplishments of business leaders in our local community. Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustee member Gary Fox was among six individuals and businesses honored during the program held Thursday, February 27, 2025.  Click to read the story in the South Bend Tribune.

Fox was celebrated as a Distinguished Business Leader, noting his outstanding contributions to the business community, his pioneering leadership attributes, and his commitment to public service.

Fox’s career spans more than 42 years. He was recently re-elected to the P-H-M School Board’s Harris Township seat, marking his second tenure with P-H-M after previously serving for 20 years before stepping down in 2020.  He is dedicated to upholding P-H-M’s tradition of academic excellence.

Fox believes that collaboration and innovation are key to ensuring the long-term success of K-12 education in St. Joseph County. “Gary is an exemplary leader whose innovative and creative thinking has helped advance P-H-M to be one of the top-performing school districts in the state,” shared P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker. “His contributions will have a lasting legacy.”

A 1982 Purdue University graduate, Fox spent his professional career as a certified public accountant and business development executive at Crowe, where he also served as a partner. He played a key role in corporate development efforts, overseeing mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and portfolio growth. Recognized as one of Crowe’s most innovative tax partners, he built a national reputation in partnership and LLC taxation.

Fox is committed to giving back to the community. He is a longtime supporter of the P-H-M Education Foundation most recently supporting the Fun Zone at Penn’s 2024 Homecoming and the Short Circuits program for all P-H-M 3rd graders at all 11 elementary schools. Fox is also making a $10,000 contribution to the Foundation’s Naming Rights Campaign to name Penn High School’s fieldhouse, currently under construction, the Dr. Jerry Thacker and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse (click here for more details).

Fox’s commitment to children also includes his support of other nonprofit groups such as the Casie Center. He served on the IU South Bend Office of the Chancellor Advisory Board, and was honored with the IU South Bend Leadership Award. Fox’s contributions to education include his work with Purdue University’s Mitch Daniels School of Business, where he mentors students and supports business competitions.

He and his wife Tammy have been married for 44 years and are parents to two Penn High School graduates and now have five grandchildren, two of which are at Moran Elementary School.  

Reflecting on his career, Fox shared, “I hope my professional legacy reflects what the founders of Crowe stood for—being a trusted advisor to clients and mentoring team members to find joy and purpose in their work while also making an impact.”

We congratulate Board Member Gary Fox on this well-deserved honor from the South Bend Area Chamber of Commerce and thank him for his dedication to education and the community.

Penn High School Principal Dr. Sean Galiher, along with assistant principals, director of athletics and students showed off and explained how Penn is “Building Bright Futures.”

At the Penn-Harris-Board of School Trustees meeting held Monday, Feb. 10 at Penn, the high school demonstrated how they are putting this year’s theme into action in everything they do.

From highlights from the Homecoming parade in the fall to reports on Penn’s amazing 98% graduation rate and everything in between. Other reports included:

• Building & Trades program (now in its 56th year!)
• Engineering Design & Development program (competed against and beat college students in the TECH 120 class at Purdue) 
• Class of 2025 students on track for an Honors Diploma
• AP Enrollment & Success
• SAT Performance
• Attendance
• Athletic & Academic Teams update
• Teacher Professional Development update
• … and so much more!

Click here to view Principal Dr. Galiher’s full presentation.

We’re looking for new & veteran teachers, or soon-to-be graduates … WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU! We’re hiring ROCK STAR elementary and secondary teachers for Fall 2025! 

Click here for more about WHY you should join the P-H-M Family!

Every teacher candidate will be GUARANTEED one face-to-face interview with a P-H-M administrator.

WHEN & WHERE

• Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025

• Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

• School Location: Schmucker Middle School (Door B)

• Address: 56045 Bittersweet Rd., Mishawaka

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Upon arrival, you will sign in before waiting in a common area until it is your turn
• These are REAL interviews, please dress professionally
• When it’s your turn to be interviewed, please turn off your phone or switch it to “Airplane Mode”
• It’s important to have your Application & Resume on file, please submit an online application BEFORE coming to the job fair.
• If you do not have an updated online application on file with P-H-M Schools, a hardcopy of your resume is recommended, but not required.

Can’t make it to the job fair? Please go ahead and submit an online application.

Addition Questions? Please contact PHMhumanresourcesinfo@phm.k12.in.us

The newest members of the P-H-M Board of School Trustees were sworn last night (Monday, January 13, 2025) at the P-H-M Board of School Trustees meeting. New to the Board is Katie (Katelyn) Inabnit Bell, a 2012 graduate of Penn High School and Gary Fox, a former Trustee of 19 years. Returning Board Vice President Ryan McCullough was also sworn last evening. St. Joseph County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Steele administered the Oath of Offices. Click here to see the full photo gallery below.

Bell is replacing Jim Garrett who held the Penn Township, Seat 3, for two terms (2017-2024). Garrett is a retired P-H-M teacher and Penn Championship Girls Golf coach. Fox will take over the Harris Township, Seat 4 replacing Clare Roach, who did not seek re-election; she served one term (2021-2024).

Gary Fox served on the P-H-M Board from 2001-2020 before stepping down. He served as Vice President from 2005-2007, President from 2008-2010 and again from 2015-2017. Fox retired from Crowe LLP, a public accounting and consulting firm, after 42 years; before retiring, he was Head of Corporate Development. Crowe and his wife Tammy of 44 years are parents to two Penn High School graduates and now have five grandchildren, two of which are at Moran. Tammy and Gary Fox are longtime donors of the P-H-M Education Foundation most recently supporting the Fun Zone at Penn’s 2024 Homecoming and the Short Circuits program for all P-H-M 3rd graders at all 11 elementary schools. Fox is also making a $10,000 contribution to the Foundation’s Naming Rights Campaign to name Penn High School’s fieldhouse, currently under construction, the Dr. Jerry Thacker and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse (click here for more details).

Katie Bell, a graduate of Ball State University, worked for Penn-Harris-Madison for the 2016-2017 school year as a kindergarten teacher at Prairie Vista Elementary School. She also served as the assistant girls basketball coach at Discovery Middle School. Bell also taught fourth and fifth grade English Language Arts at Dewey School of Excellence in Chicago for three years before returning to the area. Bell is now a stay-at-home mother and manages her household full-time. She and her husband, Steve, have three young children. Bell is active in the community volunteering her time with several organizations.

Also being sworn in at tonight’s meeting is Ryan McCullough who was re-elected to Penn Township, Seat 2. McCullough was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2021 when then Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb appointed Jamie Woods to the St. Joseph County Superior Court. McCullough is a 1995 graduate of Penn High School. McCullough and his wife Nicole, also a Penn grad, returned to Penn Township several years ago to raise their three children: two graduates Classes of 2020 and 2024, and another currently at Penn. McCullough is actively involved in the P-H-M community including volunteering as a Penn Freshman Football Coach.

Also at last night’s meeting, the Trustees elected the Board Officers for the coming year. Chris Riley was re-elected President; he has served consecutively as President since 2018. Ryan McCullough was also re-elected Vice President; he was elected 2023. Outgoing member Clare Roach was the Board Secretary. Dana Sullivan was elected to serve as Board Secretary.

 

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Monday, January 13, 2025 the P-H-M Board of School Trustees approved a $10,000 donation by newly elected P-H-M Board of School Trustee Gary Fox to the P-H-M Education’s Naming Rights Campaign to name Penn High School’s new fieldhouse. The contribution will name the building currently under construction the Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse (click here for more details on the fieldhouse; and click here for pictures from the May 2024 groundbreaking.).

The fieldhouse investment for our students will NOT raise taxes for the residents of Penn, Harris, and Madison Townships. The Administration and Board are committed to fiscal responsibility and the district is in excellent financial health. Also on January 13^th , P-H-M held its Board of Finance meeting where P-H-M Executive Director of Business Services Dr. Thomas Keeley presented the Board with the district’s financial report (click here to see the Board of Finance presentation). P-H-M has one of the lowest tax rates in St. Joseph County of $0.9275 for three straight years.

Dr. Thacker began his teaching career at Penn-Harris-Madison at Madison Elementary School. He received his doctorate from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan; a master’s in elementary education from Indiana University South Bend; and a bachelor of science in elementary education from Bethel College. He returned to P-H-M in July 2006 as Superintendent. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M has become one of Indiana’s most premier school districts with the schools, students, teachers, and staff achieving countless recognitions, at the state, national and international level.

P-H-M is among Indiana’s top performing public school corporations. With the release of the Spring 2024 ILEARN results, P-H-M is in the Top 4% of Indiana’s public school districts. Out of public schools that passed both ELA and Math: Prairie Vista Elementary School is #3 and Discovery Middle School is #2. Penn High School has a 98% graduation rate. Click here for a listing of P-H-M’s most recent Points of Excellence.

Dr. Thacker is a well-respected educator; some of his many professional recognitions include:

• 2017 IAPSS Indiana Outstanding Educator Award
• 2015 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – Indiana University South Bend
• 2014 Sagamore of the Wabash, Issued by Indiana Governor Mike Pence
• 2013 IAPSS Indiana Outstanding Educator Award
• 2012 AASA Indiana Superintendent of the Year
• 2012 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – Indiana University South Bend, School of Education
• 2012 Alumnus of the Year – Bethel College
• 2012 Indiana Senate Resolution, Congratulating Indiana Superintendent of the Year
• 2012 Indiana House of Representatives Resolution, Congratulating Indiana Superintendent of the Year

Donna Thacker is a former educator herself, a retired public school music teacher. Mrs. Thacker has been a staple in the community and a longtime volunteer and supporter of the P-H-M Education Foundation in such events as the Silver Mile and Running is Elementary.

Both Dr. and Mrs. Thacker have generously supported the Foundation with their time, leadership, service and financial contributions over the years. Since 2021, the Thackers have donated $232,500, including also contributing to PHMEF’s Naming Rights Campaign:

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 

The naming of the Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse is a fitting tribute to their unwavering commitment to Penn-Harris Madison and its students.

Gary Fox and his wife Tammy are longtime donors of the P-H-M Education Foundation most recently supporting the Fun Zone at Penn’s 2024 Homecoming and the Short Circuits program for all P-H-M 3rd graders at all 11 elementary schools. Gary served on the P-H-M Board of School Trustees for 19 years from 2001-2020 before stepping down. He was re-elected to Harris Township, Seat 4 in the November 2024 election. Gary was sworn in at the Monday, January 13^th Board Meeting (click here to read this story).

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 the education and training of teachers is a major priority for P-H-M School District.

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 and other corporation-wide initiatives.

Our school hosted the Monday, October 7 P-H-M Board of School Trustees meeting. It was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on some of the amazing things our students and staff are doing.

Principal Shonda Masterson kicked the meeting off by sharing with the School Trustees Bittersweet’s test data–Bittersweet students scored in the Top 5% of schools on last year’s ILEARN. Principal Masterson credited the teachers and the use of formative assessment with a focus on fostering stronger and more confident student writers. 

Creative writing exercises are being used at all levels. As an example second graders wrote about their field trip to Kercher’s Apple Orchard using their story vocabulary words. Alyssa Moles, Emmalyn Fazi, Steven Johnson, Cami Cromartie read their stories to the Board Members.

Other Bittersweet highlights included:

• pictures from 1st grade’s visit to nearby Garden at Chapel Hill Cemetery last Memorial Day to honor deceased veterans
• the Pen Pals program for 1st and 5th graders to other P-H-M elementary schools
• sharing the Bittersweet P.A.W.S. Pledge written by Media Aide Julie Villalba 

The spotlight on Bittersweet ended with a performance by Mrs. Cayleen Balbo-Veal’s 5th grade music students.

Penn High School welcomed a new member of the Kingsmen Athletics team when Culver’s Sports Performance Center was dedicated on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. Keith Remington and Mark Nowak co-owners of Culver’s Restaurant (on McKinley Avenue near Penn High School) donated $125,000 to P-H-M Education Foundation’s Naming Rights campaign. 

The partnership between Culver’s, P-H-M, P-H-M Education Foundation, and Penn High School signals a new chapter in Kingsmen Athletics Excellence.

P-H-M Board of School Trustees VP Ryan McCullough, P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, PHMEF Exec. Dir. Jennifer Turnblom, P-H-M Chief Operating Officer Dr. Aaron Leniski, Penn High School Principal Dr. Sean Galiher, Assistant Athletic Director Bridget Williams, and Strength & Conditioning Coach Matt Cates welcomed Remington (1997 Penn grad) and Nowak and their families today.

The new Culver’s Sports Performance Center signage in Penn’s weight room and upstairs student fitness center were unveiled. Remington and Nowak also got to see for the first time Penn’s new Strength & Conditioning class “uniform” shirts. Several Penn student-athletes, including Remington’s daughter Anna, were on hand wearing the T-shirts.

Per P-H-M Education Foundation’s Naming Rights fundraising initiative, 80 percent of the donation will go into Foundation’s endowment, which will in turn provide funding for PHMEF teacher/classroom grants and various co-curricular and extracurricular programs in P-H-M schools. The remaining 20 percent directly funds P-H-M teacher professional development initiatives. To date the Foundation has given $1.6 million disbursements in classroom grants.

The T-shirts that the student-athletes were wearing at today’s event are an additional annual gift from Culver’s valued at $7,000.

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, staff development and other corporation-wide initiatives.

“Community support is vital for our ability to support excellence in education in P-H-M schools,” PHMEF Director Jennifer Turnblom said. “Culver’s generous donation shows their dedication to our schools and positive impact on our community and we are honored to partner with them through the naming rights program. Their commitment allows us to continue to increase grant funding and support district wide programs in all 15 P-H-M schools.” 

The P-H-M Board of School Trustees approved the Naming Rights partnership between the P-H-M Education Foundation and Culver’s at the Feb. 12 Board Meeting.

According to the agreement, Culver’s co-owners Keith Remington and Mark Nowak and agree to pay PHMEF $125,000 over 12 years to name the weight and performance center at Penn High School the Culver’s Sports Performance Center.

Penn Athletic Director Jeff Hart said that Culver’s sponsorship will provide a positive impact in the performance and lives of more than a thousand Penn students each school year.

“We sincerely appreciate the commitment that Culver’s is making to our school community,” Hart said. “By sponsoring our weight rooms, Culver’s is helping to put a spotlight on the Strength and Conditioning program at Penn and the importance that a successful program can have on our 1,100 student-athletes.

“The leadership at Culver’s understands the benefits this program provides through the prevention of injuries, self confidence, improved athletic performance, and long-term health,” Hart continued. “We look forward to an exciting partnership.”

The Culver’s Sports Performance Center is nationally renowned. The National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA) named Penn’s Strength and Conditioning program a NHSSCA Program of Excellence School. This honor recognizes that Penn High School’s Strength & Conditioning program operates at a highest level of professionalism.

In awarding Penn and Coach Cates with this honor NHSSCA noted …

“This honor recognizes that this High School Strength & Conditioning program operates at a highest level of professionalism. To earn this honor Coach Cates & Penn High School has displayed excellence in safety, quality, efficacy, outreach & highlighting. While also displaying excellent continuing education & technology usage in their Strength & Conditioning program.”

Penn Strength & Conditioning Coach Matt Cates was named the National High School Strength Coaches Association 2024 National Coach of the Year.