SOUDERTON COMMUNITY PETITION TO DEMAND THE CENSURE of FORMICA; and for

THE ADMINISTRATION AND SCHOOL BOARD TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY for ITS SILENCE

THIS COMMUNITY RESPECTS ALL GROUPS including our LGBTQ friends, our   Teachers, our Judges, our Immigrant and Spanish language neighbors, our Black fellow Americans, and all WOMEN LEADERS because our DAUGHTERS deserve to be POWERFUL!  OUR SCHOOL LEADERS must be role models and STAND UP and SHOW common decency!

We, the SOUDERTON AREA COMMUNITY submit this Petition as a CALL TO ACTION for the School Board and Administration to TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY and for once condemn the words, behavior and unprofessional conduct of William Formica by PUBLIC CENSURE.

THIS COMMUNITY DEMANDS that our School Board and Administration SHOW COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP by SPEAKING OUT that KINDNESS MATTERS OVER HATE and DEMONSTRATE ACCOUNTABILITY OVER SILENCE.

THE STANDARDS of CONDUCT GOOD MORAL CHARACTER and LEAD WITH RESPECT

The United States Supreme Court in Houston Community College System v. Wilson, 595 U.S. ___ (2022) by a unanimous vote of 9-0 held that a local government school board member is subject to censure by the other Board Members when the offending member puts his conduct and character at issue. Justice Gorsuch wrote that “the censure at issue [by the Board] before us was a form of speech by elected representatives. It concerned the conduct of another elected representative”. Justice Gorsuch held: 

“When individuals consent to be a candidate for a public office conferred by the election of the people, they necessarily put their character in issue, so far as it may respect their fitness and qualifications for the office.”

Pursuant to Pennsylvania School Code of 1949 Act 14 Sec. 322, the FIRST qualification to be ELIGIBLE to become a school board director as defined by the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is to have a “good moral character”: See 1949 Act 14 Sec 322 which reads:

“Any citizen of this Commonwealth, having a good moral character, being eighteen (18) years of age or upwards, and having been a resident of the district for at least one (1) year prior to the date of his election or appointment, shall be eligible to the office of school director therein.”

 Souderton School Board Policy 004 also requires that “Each member of the Board,,, shall be of good moral character” and Policy 011 mandates that each board member “models responsible governance and leadership by ,,,,,,,,,, leading with respect and taking FULL responsibility for Board activity and behavior”.

 

Lastly, the District prides itself on the value statement that we are a “A Community Where   Character Counts”! This motto is emblazoned right behind the Board at the Administrative Meeting Room. Sadly, our School Leaders have ignored our District value statement.

 

 

 

                      MR. FORMICA’S FAILURES TO ABIDE BY STANDARDS

of GOOD MORAL CHARACTER AS A CANDIDATE and BOARD MEMBER

William A. Formica III is a Board member of the Souderton Area School District (the "District"), having become a candidate for the Board on or about March 8, 2023, when nomination papers were due for the 2023 primary. Mr. Formica’s name appeared on the ballot in the primary held on May 16, 2023, and was subsequently appointed to fill the position of Donna Scheuren on June 22, 2023, by the entire School Board. He was elected in November 2023 to serve a four-year term through December 2027.

William Formica has on numerous occasions, while a candidate or as an appointed and elected Board Member failed, in part or whole, to follow and abide by the Standards, Policies and Statutes requiring a Good Moral Character as listed above.

As a candidate for School Board, starting on or about March 8, 2023, through June 21, 2023, by his social media posts, he disrespected the LGBTQ community, a female Congresswomen, Spanish speakers, Immigrant families, and diversity training. See, Formica Timeline and Call for Resignation.  https://righttoknowsouderton.com/list . CLICK ON TIMELINE TO SEE MORE POSTS!

As an appointed School Board Member starting June 22, 2023, Mr. Formica used Social media to fat shame women and state his view that blacks benefited by learning skills while being held as slaves. See, Formica Timeline of Hate Speech as a Candidate and Board Member at https://righttoknowsouderton.com/list . CLICK ON TIMELINE TO SEE MORE POSTS.

As an Elected Member starting on December 4, 2023,  Mr. Formica used social media to disrespect Michele Obama by calling her a “racist, full of hate ( and a dude)”, disrespected teachers ( third time), disparaged a judge overseeing the Trump civil fraud trial and “wishes we can still hang people”, called Mrs. Obama “ugliest for sure”, and states the sitting Vice President  Kamala Harris “blew a lot of dudes”.

See, Formica Timeline of Hate Speech as a Candidate and Board Member at

https://righttoknowsouderton.com/list 

             THE SCHOOL BOARDS and ADMINISTRATION’S SILENCE

Since August 2, 2024, The Board and Administration have chosen to remain silent and not communicate at all regarding Mr. Formica’s hate-filled speech, have chosen to express no concern for the students and parents, failed to stand up for the teachers who were repeatedly disrespected, and rather than speak out, have intentionally decided to look the other way instead of taking a position on Mr. Formica. In short, they have defended and sided with the bully over the victims. 

 The Board and Administration have thereby set a dangerous precedent by condoning and approving hate speech by Board Members, by failing to condemn all forms of hateful speech that shows disrespect to our friends and neighbors and otherwise uphold common sense good behavior and Character Counts values.

                        THE COMMUNITY TAKES A STAND- CENSURE FORMICA                                                

Accordingly, by adding our names to this CHANGE.ORG Petition, WE, the Souderton Area Community, express our strong disapproval of Mr. Formica’s repeated hate speech and unprofessional conduct, both as a candidate and a sitting Board Member, and DEMAND THE BOARD CENSURE FORMICA.

WE DESERVE BETTER!! We repeat the call for Mr. Formica to resign for the betterment of the Board and Community. Mr. Formica has demonstrated by his own words that he does not meet the values and standards of conduct of a “good moral character”, has failed to exemplify the good qualities of a role model for our children, failed to model responsible leadership by leading with respect for all, and finally failed to accept full responsibility for his words and actions. 

       THE COMMUNITY DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY – NOT SILENCE

By adding our names to this CHANGE.ORG Petition, WE, the Souderton Area Community, demand that our School Board and Administration take full responsibility by condemning the hate-filled speech of Mr. Formica. SPEAK UP FOR OUR CHILDREN. YOUR ONGOING SILENCE EQUALS COMPLICITY!

WE DESERVE BETTER! Your silence has ruined our Districts’ reputation. Your silence fails to model the positive character qualities we wish to see in our students. PROTECT OUR CHILDREN and NOT THE BULLY!