P-H-M Board Member Larry Beehler Named School Board Member of the Year for 2026

The Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) has named Larry Beehler, a member of the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Board of School Trustees, as the recipient of the 2026 Indiana Outstanding Board Service Award.

A longtime advocate for public education, Larry Beehler has dedicated 40 years of service to the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees, helping guide one of Indiana’s highest-performing school corporations through decades of growth, innovation, and student success. 

“Larry Beehler has set an extraordinary example of what it means to be a dedicated public servant. For 40 years, he has led with integrity, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is best for students,” said P-H-M School Board President Chris Riley who has served alongside Mr. Beehler for nearly 16 years. “His thoughtful approach to governance and his ability to keep student success at the center of every decision have helped shape the Board’s culture of collaboration and accountability. This statewide recognition is a fitting tribute to Larry’s remarkable legacy of leadership and service.”

During School Board Trustee Beehler’s tenure, including 22 years in board leadership positions, Mr. Beehler has championed the School Board’s governance model, strategic planning, and initiatives that have helped generations of students thrive.

The ISBA recognized Mr. Beehler at the annual ISBA/IAPSS Fall Conference held October 5th and 6th in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, Mr. Beehler was unable to attend this year’s conference. 

“What truly distinguishes Larry most is not simply the extraordinary length of service, but his integrity, humility, thoughtful judgment, and genuine care,” said fellow Penn-Harris-Madison School Board member Gary Fox accepting the award on Trustee Beehler’s behalf. 

Mr. Beehler has played a key role in shaping the district’s governance practices, helping develop Penn-Harris-Madison’s School Board compact based on the John Carver Board Governance Model. He has served on the Board’s negotiation team, the district’s Wellness Committee, and as the corporation’s representative on the local Redevelopment Commission. Mr. Beehler has also helped oversee major construction projects and capital improvements, while supporting innovative initiatives such as naming-rights partnerships that generate additional revenue for the district.

Student success is at the heart of his service. Mr. Beehler served on the Smaller Learning Communities Achievement Design Committee for Penn High School, which helped establish smaller learning communities and achievement academies at the high school. This approach has  personalized instruction and improved student outcomes. Over the years, Penn High School’s graduation rate has risen from 79 percent to 98 percent.

“Generations of P-H-M students have benefited from Larry Beehler’s vision, dedication, and steadfast belief in the power of public education,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “Larry understands that academic excellence doesn’t happen by chance. It requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and a long-term commitment to providing students with exceptional educational opportunities. His 40 years of service have helped build the foundation for P-H-M’s continued success, and we are incredibly proud to see him receive this well-deserved statewide honor.”

Beyond policy and planning, School Board Member Beehler has maintained a personal connection to the schools he serves. Each year during the first week of school, he joins the Superintendent on building visits. He loves catching up with teachers and staff members and meeting new students. He especially enjoys visiting Madison Elementary School in Madison Township, of which he represents on the school board.

Trustee Beehler is a graduate and valedictorian of former Madison Township High School (the building now serves as P-H-M’s Madison Elementary School). He has remained deeply committed to the school community that helped shape his life, establishing the “Larry Beehler Scholarship” which is  awarded annually to a graduating senior who attended Madison Elementary School. For his decades of service and leadership, the P-H-M board room is being renamed the Larry and Judy Beehler School Board Room in his and his wife’s honor. In 2017, the ticket center at Penn High School’s football stadium was named after Larry Beehler. Both were done through the PHM Education Foundation naming rights campaign.

The Indiana Outstanding Board Service Award is conferred annually by the ISBA to one school board member out of the 1,686 school board members in Indiana. The award honors exceptional school board service, leadership, and dedication to public education and is chosen by fellow school board members.

“Larry Beehler exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated School Board member,” said ISBA Executive Director Terry Spradlin. “Larry’s service stands as a remarkable example of the difference thoughtful, servant-minded leadership can make in a community.” 

In addition to the statewide award, the following school board members were recognized as Regional Outstanding Board Service Award winners for each of ISBA’s 10 geographical regions:

Region 1 – Andy Maletta, Portage Township Schools

Region 2 – Larry Beehler, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation

Region 3 – Valerie Armstrong, Dekalb County Central United School District

Region 4 – Bob Gerber, Tri-County School Corporation

Region 4 – Brad Swartzell, Pioneer Regional School Corporation

Region 5 – Katie Fague, Tipton Community School Corporation

Region 6 – John Adams, Delaware Community Schools

Region 7 – Jessica Elston, Plainfield Community School Corporation

Region 8 – Amy Norman, M.S.D. of Lawrence Township

Region 9 – David Waninger, North Spencer County School Corporation

Region 10 – Myra Powell, Borden-Henryville School Corporation