News

Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker Receives Several Honors Upon Retirement
In March, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Dr. Jerry Thacker announced his retirement after 19 years. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M has achieved extraordinary milestones, including raising the graduation rate from 79% to 98%, ranking in the top 4% of the state academically, and helping students earn more than $200 million in scholarships. He also prioritized school safety, leading P-H-M to be ranked sixth in ...

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. 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 ...

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. Short, a lifelong educator who has dedicated her entire 31-year career to ...

2025 Employee & Retiree Recognition Dinner
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 ...

Spotlight on Discovery Middle School
Principal Elizabeth Cunha welcomed the Board of School Trustees to Discovery on Monday, May 19. A welcoming, warm reception awaited Board members, P-H-M Administrators, patrons and families as they arrived. In the lobby, the student orchestra performed while "StarBuddies" offered free coffee! When the Board Meeting began, Principal Cunha explained the "StarBuddies" program and shared that recently the Discovery Band earned the ISSMA J.M.E. All-Music ...