SOUDERTON — For the third straight board meeting, Souderton Area School District residents packed the board meeting room and demanded action following a string of objectionable social media posts earlier this summer by board member Bill Formica.
About 75 people filled the room, as Formica sat expressionless at the board table.
“You have brought a sense of shame to our school district,” said retired principal Gail Ryan to Formica at Thursday’s meeting. “I request that you resign your position for the sake of our students, our district and the reputation of our great community.”
The district has been beset by protest since late July when Formica made a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, suggesting Vice President Kamala Harris had engaged in sex acts to further her political career.
Community members uncovered additional social media posts by Formica in which he disparaged teachers and non-English speakers and described slavery as beneficial for Black Americans. The posts prompted widespread community outrage and a petition demanding Formica’s resignation. Formica issued a letter of apology in August but has vowed to remain on the board.
Board president Ken Keith and Superintendent Frank Gallagher have stated that the board does not condone Formica’s comments but they have otherwise remained silent on the controversy. However, at the August board action meeting, Keith conceded to holding a series of meetings with community members to help “bridge the divide.”
At Thursday’s meeting, community members repeated their demands for a response to Formica’s comments, urging the board to live up to its motto of “Character Counts.”
“Persons in positions of authority have a responsibility to set a positive example. Elected officials should lead by exemplifying the values of their community,” said Kevin Shelly. “Your silence today means everything. Until you say it’s him not me, it’s totally you. It’s time to say ‘enough’.”
Several speakers noted that teachers and students would face disciplinary action for making the same comments.
“If one of the teachers in my building had made those comments, parents would’ve been calling me demanding that their children be removed from that classroom. There would have been professional consequences as well,” said Ryan. “I long to see our community values upheld as a place where character really counts. I find Formica’s role on our board incompatible with these values, calling into question his ability to make wise decisions for our children.”
While the board maintained its silence on the Formica controversy, superintendent Frank Gallagher revealed that the district added several parents to its comprehensive plan committee, which includes staff members, students and residents. The committee met on Monday and discussed its action step of fostering a “culture of belonging,” said Gallagher.
“It was really meaningful, open and honest conversation,” said Gallagher. “I was really humbled by what I heard from community members, staff members and students.”
Gallagher said that the committee will continue meeting over the next several months and that he will update the board accordingly. He also confirmed that updates will be posted on the district website.
The next Souderton school board meeting is on November 21 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit soudertonsd.org.
