All candidates cross-filed, with the exception of Republican Stephen Nelson
Two four-member teams are vying for four seats on the Souderton Area School Board in the November general election.
The “Keep Souderton Strong” team includes Republican incumbents Janet Flisak, Stephen Nelson and Andrew Landis as well as newcomer Steve Long. The “Souderton Area for Responsible Leadership” team consists of challengers Corinne DeGeiso, Alexandra Wisser, Rosemary Buetikofer and Andrew Souchet. All candidates cross-filed, with the exception of Nelson.
All candidates were asked the same set of questions. Below are their responses.
Describe your background and qualifications for the position you are seeking.
Janet Flisak, Souderton Area School Board incumbent (Courtesy of Keep Souderton Strong)Flisak: I am an incumbent Souderton School Board Director and I am seeking re-election. I have served on the board 11 years and am currently sitting on the finance committee and am chair of the policy committee. I have lived in the district for over 25 years and have worked in the corporate world since I graduated from Wharton School of Business and have an MBA. I can guide the district to be fiscally responsible with taxpayer money while seeking to ensure the school administration contracts with qualified vendors and service providers who have proven fiscal competence and financial stability.
Stephen Nelson, Souderton Area School Board incumbent (Courtesy of Keep Souderton Strong)Nelson: I have been a resident of SASD for 38 years and have served our community and church in many capacities. I graduated from Lebanon Valley College with a BS in Physics. I have been a School Board member for over 7 years, serving as the current President. I have also served on the Finance Committee for 2 years as the Chair, have served on the Technology Committee and was on the Board of the North Montco JOC for 3 years. I was the owner of a large construction company for 35 years where I served as the CFO for 8 years. Over the years I’ve served on both nonprofit and for-profit boards. A few of these are Penn Foundation, Lebanon Valley College and Associated Builders and Contractors (both local and nationally). I am currently serving as the Treasurer of Kingdom Patrons, a local non-profit company that serves the community.
Andrew Landis, Souderton Area School Board incumbent (Courtesy of Keep Souderton Strong)Landis: I am a lifelong resident of the Souderton area. I graduated from Souderton Area HS, as did my two children. After graduating from Shippensburg University with a degree in business, I have spent 27 years in the commercial banking department of a local community bank as a credit analyst, then Relationship Manager, and more recently as a Team Leader. While School District finances are unique, I have years of experience reviewing budgets and financial statements. In addition to my work experience, I spent three years as the Treasurer for a local non-profit and am currently the Board President for Hands In Service, another non-profit serving our local community. Currently in my first term on the Souderton School Board, I am the Vice President and also Chair the Employee-Personnel Committee.
Steve Long, Souderton Area School Board candidate (Courtesy of Keep Souderton Strong)Long: My dynamic professional background combines both legal expertise and educational service that I believe provides me with a unique insight that will benefit the Souderton School Board and the residents of the District. As an attorney, I currently represent school boards and municipal clients, and as a former educator I bring a unique perspective given my experiences as a classroom teacher, special education assistant, coach, and athletic director. Raised in Montgomery County, my wife and I are long-term residents of Lower Salford and proud members of the Souderton Area School District, and our two elementary aged children attend district schools. I believe my combined professional and personal experiences reflect a deep commitment to the success and well-being of students and families in the district.
Corinne DeGeiso, Souderton Area School Board candidate (Courtesy of Souderton Area for Responsible Leadership and Rick Stamper)DeGeiso: I possess an extensive background in leadership and advocacy, owed to various roles in the pharmaceutical industry, including as a corporate trainer and people leader. My career has prepared me to foster an environment of accountability, trust, and open, two-way communication in our school district. I have been a regular attendee at committee and action meetings for several years and was invited to participate as a parent member on the Comprehensive Planning Committee for 2025-2028. After many months of advocating for meeting recordings, livestreaming and attachments at each board action meeting– these have been realized in our district.
Alexandra Wisser, Souderton Area School Board candidate (Courtesy of Souderton Area for Responsible Leadership and Rick Stamper)Wisser: Alexandra Wisser brings a strong background in public service, advocacy, and community engagement to her candidacy for school board. With a B.A. in Government and Politics and a J.D. from Widener University School of Law, Alex has worked closely with local governments, nonprofits, and community stakeholders throughout her career. As Conservation Coordinator for the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, she led award-winning conservation and stormwater management initiatives.
A longtime Upper Salford resident and caregiver to her mother during her battle with Parkinson’s, Alex understands the importance of compassion and commitment. She is an active community volunteer. At the Indian Valley Public Library, she volunteers and is a Foundation of Friends board member. In 2021, she co-founded Souderton Area for Responsible Leadership to advocate for transparency and accountability in the school district. Alex is committed to inclusive, quality public education for all students.
Rosemary Buetikofer, Souderton Area School Board candidate (Courtesy of Souderton Area for Responsible Leadership and Rick Stamper)Buetikofer: I am a retired teacher with 35 years of experience. I have a BS in Music Education from Penn State and a Master’s from West Chester. I am also a parent of two Souderton graduates who both live and work in the area. I have spent my entire life in schools, as a student and a music teacher. I love public schools! I am uniquely qualified to be a board member because I see the school district through many lenses, as a parent, an educator and a community member.
Andrew Souchet, Souderton Area School Board candidate (Courtesy of Souderton Area for Responsible Leadership and Rick Stamper)Souchet: I am a long-time resident of the district, a former educator, and a parent of children who have or are attending districts schools. For the past eight years, I’ve regularly attended school board meetings, giving me a deep understanding of the board’s work and the issues facing our schools. I also actively follow state legislative actions on education and have visited the state capitol to advocate on behalf of our schools. My combined experience as a parent, educator, and engaged community member has prepared me to serve effectively on the school board.
What would your main goals or priorities be as a school board member?
Flisak: Education of the whole child, which goes beyond academics to include social and emotional development and broader life skills. Self esteem, problem solving and strategic thinking are life skills that must be sought for students. Public education has become a complex web of challenges. Mental health issues along with special needs are key challenges. School districts must meet this need with medically trained experts (i.e. psychologists) while providing additional training for all teachers and educators to deal with these challenges.
Nelson: My main goal is to help govern the district so our children can demonstrate the competencies needed to contribute and succeed in the world. This is in line with our mission at SASD, which includes educating the whole child. Goal number two would be to utilize taxpayers’ money so that we assure a quality education for all children. We achieve these goals by being committed to excellence and innovation and by working in partnership with families and the community. As I have served for the past 7+ years, the issues of keeping CRT and DEI out of schools have also become a mainstay for me. As our children were being educated in the district, my wife and I were very active in their learning and I believe that every parent needs to be in control of their children’s learning.
Landis: I believe the top priority for a director of any school board is ensuring the children are learning the skills needed to become successful adults in a safe and welcoming environment. My goal in Souderton is to provide well-rounded curriculum, free of any political bias or slant, while also encouraging parents to engage in their child’s education. Another goal is to work closely with the administration to budget responsibly to meet the many needs of the district and all stakeholders, including the children and parents we serve, but also other taxpayers, teachers and staff.
Long: As a school board member, my primary goals would be to strengthen curriculum development, support special education services, and maintain effective and thoughtful budget management. With the consideration for curriculum development, it is my intention to ensure all students are supported and well-prepared for life after graduation – whether pursuing college, career, or other pathways. I am especially committed to meeting the needs of students with disabilities and special needs by advocating for inclusive practices and ensuring that proper resources and support are in place for their success. Equally important is maintaining a strong, transparent approach to budget management – prioritizing investments in the district that directly impact student learning while being mindful of our community’s financial responsibilities. My focus will always be on student-centered decision making that supports educational excellence and fiscal responsibility.
DeGeiso: The platform I am running on has 3 main priorities: transparency, academic excellence and belonging for all students. It is important that the community trusts the board and district administration. Transparency for how taxpayer dollars are spent, policies are made, or donations are received, among other details. The community has the right to it all and we see much better management of these things in surrounding districts. We must ensure that we return to a time when academic excellence was important in the district. Spending should be focused on ensuring positive academic outcomes for all students. All students should feel safe at school – no matter who they are, or how they present. It is important that we focus on the whole child – which means the whole child of every child.
Wisser: As a school board member, my top priorities will be transparency, community involvement, and academic excellence. I will work to rebuild trust by being open about board decisions and how tax dollars are spent. I believe the community deserves a clear understanding of the district’s priorities, and I will advocate for greater public access to information. I will also push to include more residents in district discussions, planning committees, and focus groups so that a broader range of voices can help shape our schools’ future. Most importantly, I will focus on student success in the classroom and beyond. That means supporting strong academic programs while also emphasizing social-emotional learning, so students not only perform well academically but also grow into compassionate, responsible, and engaged citizens. Public education should empower every student to thrive and every family to have a voice.
Buetikofer: My main goals initially are two fold: I want to ensure that the school board is providing the public with information, and that the students and staff feel supported. Each month, the district has an action meeting where they vote on contracts, purchase materials, and provide support services. They should provide copies of ALL contracts and vendor information, but they refuse to put it in the public record by attaching copies to their agenda. The second priority is the safety and dignity of our students and staff. Everyone in our buildings needs to feel supported, welcomed and respected so that learning flourishes.
Souchet: My main goals as a school board member are to foster an environment where all students can succeed and grow into capable, confident adults. I’m also committed to helping repair the school board’s reputation by promoting respect and accountability. Additionally, I believe we need to focus on real, local issues within the board’s control, rather than getting caught up in outside rhetoric or distractions.
Cuts to state and federal funding could impact school district budgets. How do you see and approach discussions about the local tax burden?
Flisak: The strain of decreasing funds from government sources while increasing mandates in public education puts a burden on school districts who only have one method to raise revenue via the local taxpayers. Fundraising efforts from parents and community groups can support specific activities. Local donations can be put towards specific needs and much appreciated. The most important approach is the review of expenses and finding ways to reduce these expenses is another means to meet ever increasing budgets.
Nelson: While we do not foresee state / federal budget cuts affecting our district in the short term, the current Souderton School Board constantly reviews and assesses information from Harrisburg and Washington D.C. and we are opposed to taxation without clear information as we consider this irresponsible and unfair to our community. We firmly believe that taxpayer dollars should remain with residents, until such time that they are needed. Decisions regarding tax increases are made after an exhaustive public budgeting process. With nearly 75% of our annual budget being funded by local taxpayers, including many seniors and residents on fixed incomes, the Board is committed to careful financial planning. Should state / federal funding cuts occur, we will stay the course, work hard and continue to provide the highest quality education in the most affordable manner. We remain dedicated to fiscal responsibility while meeting the needs of our students and staff.
Landis: As the current budgeting process for the school year 2025/2026 winds down, we do not currently foresee any state or federal cuts that will impact us in the near term. State and federal funding levels vary year to year as they work through their own challenging budget process. Ultimately, nearly 75% of the district’s revenue is derived from local constituents and Souderton has historically done a great job at minimizing that burden. In recent years, challenges with state funding, combined with general inflation and significant increases in the costs associated with special needs, has led to larger tax increases. Souderton goes through an extensive budgeting process, lasting more than 6-months every year, examining every avenue available to us to maintain services while minimizing the impact to our local taxpayers.
Long: I believe that fiscally conscious decision-making, practical approaches to education, and strong community engagement is essential to the success of our schools. Further, our schools thrive when we engage families, educators, and community members in meaningful dialogue that reflects our shared values.
As a former classroom teacher and athletic director, I’ve witnessed how practical, well-supported programs directly impact student achievement and well-being. My work as anattorney has taught me the importance of thoughtful analysis, clear communication, and making decisions with integrity – skills that are critical when entrusted with public responsibility. Particularly when dealing with difficult questions around local taxes, I believe that effective leadership begins with listening, learning, and leading with purpose, and it is my commitment to bringing these approaches to the role of School Board Director.
DeGeiso: I approach these conversations honestly and with concern – much of our budget each year comes from local real estate taxes. If Souderton loses the funding from the state and federal sources – we will need to make this up somehow as a district. The solution will be to raise taxes to the maximum again this year. This is the unfortunate outcome of several years when taxes were not raised. We need to be consistent. Not only for the district but also for the community members who must budget for their real estate tax payments each year. We need to break this cycle.
Wisser: State and federal funding cuts could significantly impact Souderton’s school budget, and I’m concerned about the potential burden on local taxpayers if the district has to make up the difference. Federal funding accounts for about 1% of the district’s budget, approximately $2 million. Yet, during a recent meeting, one board member casually stated that if the $2 million in federal funds were cut, they would “find a way” to replace it. With maximum tax increases over the past 2 years, the loss of federal funding could have a considerable impact.
As a school board member, I would advocate to state and federal lawmakers that public education funding is essential and must be protected. Pennsylvania must finally pass cyber charter reform to free more resources for public school districts to apply to their students. Taxpayers deserve transparency, accountability, and a clear understanding of spending decisions. Souderton deserves better.
Buetikofer: Our district has an obligation to educate the students and provide them with the teachers and supports that students need to succeed. The state and federal government both contribute to Souderton, but the majority of our funding is raised by local real estate taxes. The state and federal monies are vital to the operation of our school district. If the cuts continue, especially from the Federal government, it will require looking to local sources to make up the difference. We can also continue to lobby our elected officials to urge them to continue funding our district at current levels.
Souchet: Discussions about the local tax burden need reform. The finance committee’s meeting format and topics should be improved to make information clearer and easier for the public to understand. Instead of placing blame on groups like special education, the school board should focus on clearly outlining and explaining expenses. This would help the community have more informed and productive conversations about the budget and the impact of state and federal funding cuts on our district.
What do you see as the biggest issues the board must address in the next four years?
Flisak: Public education has become a complex web of challenges. Mental health issues along with Special needs are key challenges. Covid 19 had a dramatic impact on mental health issues. Souderton was one of the few districts that opened for in-school learning over the 2020-2021 school. As a sitting board director, the district has hired/contracted medically trained experts (i.e.psychologists) while providing additional training for all teachers and educators to deal with these challenges.
Nelson: Mental Health is one of the greatest challenges we face today. There are two aspects that need attention: support of the students and financing the programs. Even though we have great programs and staff, there are not enough staff to serve our students. The cost has increased by $7M and funding by the government has increased only by $600K in 3 years. Through better collaboration with our legislators for funds and working with government agencies and the private sector, we can help solve this challenge. Taxation is a significant and challenging issue. We continue to focus on providing the highest quality education while using our taxpayer’s money wisely. Our tax base is different from many districts where our residents pay most of the taxes since we have limited businesses. Over 60% of taxpayers do not have kids in our schools and almost half of our taxpayers are seniors.
Landis: One of the primary challenges facing the district is the mental health of our children. While this is certainly not limited to Souderton, we do need to balance the increasing needs of our students with the limited funding available to support them. Souderton utilizes a mix of in-house aids and specialists along with 3rd party providers to meet the demand in the most cost-effective manner. Our administration and board continue to work closely with our state and federal legislators to address the funding needs and have been successful in getting some additional funding, but more resources are needed. The second challenge is the budget. The administration and board have planned strategically to use a mix of annual recurring revenues to meet day to day expenses and long-term debt to maintain and improve buildings and facilities. As debt service from prior project rolls off, we can start new projects to keep our schools and athletic facilities modern, safe, and efficient.
Long: Our District is in a strong position as we are consistently ranked among the top in the state while maintaining one of the lowest operating costs per-student in Montgomery County. This speaks to the dedication of our educators, staff, current board members, and the community. Looking ahead, one of the biggest challenges will be addressing the growing needs of our students amid limited state support and rising costs – particularly those with special needs. Providing these essential services requires significant resources, and we must ensure every student receives the support they deserve. I will be a strong advocate for our children, working to hold the state and other institutions accountable for meeting their obligations. Sustaining excellence while managing these financial pressures will require thoughtful planning, collaboration, and continued community engagement.
DeGeiso: As someone who has been advocating relentlessly for transparency – I feel this is the biggest issue facing our district. A community member should not have to submit a Right to Know Request because a member of administration won’t return their calls. We should understand where, when and how money is spent. For many years, the board conducted their business without answering to the public and now we are holding them accountable. We have made small steps forward but there is plenty more work to do in this area. The board must also address attracting and retaining qualified teachers. There is currently a teacher shortage in the state of Pennsylvania, and we need to be competitive to meet the demands of the future to ensure that all children in Souderton thrive academically.
Wisser: Over the next four years, the Souderton school board will face several critical challenges. First, the uncertainty surrounding potential changes to the federal Department of Education—and the possible loss of federal funding—could have significant budget implications. The board must also address rising inflation, which impacts the cost of upcoming capital improvement projects across the district. Additionally, there is an urgent need to find new and creative ways to support our special education students and ensure they have the resources they need to succeed. Just as importantly, the board must restore accountability and transparency in its decision-making. Residents deserve a school board that communicates, invites public input, and makes decisions based on shared values and community needs. These issues require thoughtful leadership, open dialogue, and a commitment to doing what’s best for all students and families in the district.
Buetikofer: We have issues of trust and transparency in Souderton. I don’t envision a future where residents continue to file Right to Know requests and lawsuits. Our tax dollars are being spent on lawyers and depositions instead of textbooks and counselors. I will insist on posting the District’s business transactions to provide transparency. I want to strengthen the relationship between the board and students so that the children in our buildings feel safe and connected while they are learning. I want the staff and teachers to feel that they are valued and their input is welcome. Our job is to help our students become amazing adults, and I will do everything I can to facilitate that process.
Souchet: The biggest issues the board must address over the next four years are: First, improving student academic success. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, as many as 4 out of 9 district schools have been identified for additional support due to low math and language scores in the past 18 months. Second, addressing school board complacency. The current board acts as if little has changed over the decades, with poor meeting preparation, closed-door decision-making, and limited new initiatives beyond sports. Third, repairing the board’s reputation by rebuilding trust, improving communication, and showing greater responsiveness to the community.
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