Calls for Bill Formica’s resignation from the Souderton Area School Board are flying this week after a social media comment from Formica’s X account suggested that Democratic Presidential candidate and sitting Vice President Kamala Harris performed sex acts on numerous unnamed men throughout her political career.
As of Tuesday afternoon, a Change.Org petition — started by Telford resident Natalie Cimonetti — that calls for Formica’s resignation from the school board had more than 1,500 signatures. It reads:
Tell Bill Formica to resign as school director
Bill Formica made waves for his questionable behavior prior to being installed as a school board director, but now he has gone too far. His actions bring shame to the school district and he needs to step down. Please join us at the next action meeting at 760 Lower Rd, Souderton on August 29 at 6:30 p.m. to add your voice to those calling for his resignation.
On Aug. 2, Souderton Area School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Gallagher and school board President Ken R. Keith, who ran for reelection to the school board last year on the same Republican slate as Formica, posted a page-long letter in response to the community’s outrage on the SASD website. The following is an excerpt from their statement:
“Last week, one of our School Board members used inappropriate language and poor judgement in a comment posted on social media regarding Vice President Kamala Harris. The comment has been shared widely and has received a significant amount of attention in our community. We want to take a moment to address this matter.
The Board has asked for some time to process this situation and that time is being afforded. However, we do not want a delay in communication from the district to be perceived as a lack of concern or disregard for the impact these comments have had on our community. Words matter. Respect matters. Our schools and offices must be spaces where diverse opinions are honored — but where respect is required.”
Souderton Area for Responsible Leadership, which last year fielded a slate of Democrats in an unsuccessful challenge to the Republicans, responded to Gallagher and Keith’s letter. The following is a portion of the SAFRL statement:
“The community demands that the Board acts swiftly. This is one of a series of offensive, racist, and sexist statements that Mr. Formica has made before and during his time on the Board. He has repeatedly disparaged women, minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and even teachers! There is nothing new here.”
“Mr. Formica was appointed to the Board upon Donna Scheuren’s resignation in 2023. The Board decided to appoint Mr. Formica, at least partly, because he garnered the most votes in the 2023 primary election. We call on the Board to employ that same principal now. The five highest vote getters in the 2023 general election won seats on the Board. Ms. Elise Bowers earned the next highest number of votes. The Board must demand Mr. Formica’s resignation and appoint Ms. Bowers.
Another recent screenshot shows a response from Formica’s account to a question about Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over the Trump Organization civil trial. The post from Formica’s account says Engoron is “Absolutely corrupt. No one is that dumb…He must be removed from the bench and jailed…Wish we could still hang people.”
Formica, who appears to have deleted his X account, did not respond to a Tuesday email requesting a comment on the situation.
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