While state law does not require a specific procedure for filling vacancies, many districts opt for a transparent process, including advertisement of the position and public interviews
At a contentious special meeting Wednesday, November 26, the Souderton Area School Board appointed retiring board member William Brong to fill a vacancy on the board over the vigorous objections of the community, who accused the Republican board of perpetrating a “power grab” just days before the newly-elected Democratic board members are seated.
The surprise move comes just weeks after the four Democratic school board candidates swept the November election on a campaign to enhance board transparency and accountability, cutting into the Republicans’ current 9-0 majority. The Democratic candidates will be seated at the board’s December 1 reorganization meeting.
The drama began on Monday when the district announced that the board would hold a special meeting Wednesday to accept the resignation of board member Nicholas Braccio and appoint his replacement. Braccio was most recently re-elected in 2023 to a four-year term. Tensions rose further the following day when the board posted the meeting’s agenda, which included the resignations of both Braccio and Brong, just days before the end of Brong’s term on December 1.
The news sparked a firestorm in the community, who accused the board of rushing to fill the vacancy before the new board members are seated in violation of proper procedure and state law.
While state law does not require a specific procedure for filling vacancies, many districts opt for a transparent process, including advertisement of the position and public interviews. The Pennsylvania School Board Association, of which the district is a member, states that school boards are “responsible for publicly advertising the open position and conducting a selection process, including interviews, before a vote is held.”
Ahead of the meeting, resident Maureen Kratz launched a petition demanding that the board delay the appointment until the new board members are seated. As of Wednesday evening, the petition had garnered over 600 signatures.
Residents sound off
On Wednesday, a packed house of residents turned out to the board meeting room to make their voices heard. The volatile meeting was punctuated with frequent jeers, shouts of “shame” and a brief recess when the board was unable to maintain order. Braccio and Brong as well as board member Ken Keith and Superintendent Frank Gallagher were notably not in attendance.
In over 90 minutes of public comment, residents condemned the board for filling a vacancy with little notice and no public deliberation, adding their belief that the meeting was intentionally scheduled at noon on Thanksgiving Eve to limit public participation. They characterized the move as the latest example of the board’s lack of transparency and reiterated their demand to delay the appointment until after the reorganization meeting.
“Why am I here on the day before Thanksgiving? Is there an emergency?” asked a Lower Salford female resident. “No there’s not. It’s the usual shenanigans that we’ve come to expect from the merry band of children on the stage. All of us, even you, have better things to do today. Shame on you for calling us all here to fill a vacancy following a process that per usual follows no public interviews and no public debate.”
“This is a perfect example of why change is needed on this board, and this community made it very clear that we want change,” said Stephanie Jamison. “Table these resignations and appointments, and initiate a public process for filling the vacancy with input from the newly-elected board members.”
“Scheduling this appointment hours before Thanksgiving is not a coincidence; it’s a calculated choice designed to keep public participation lower and scrutiny minimal,” said Chris Spiegel. “The community delivered a pretty clear mandate for change in the recent election, and if the outgoing majority is now attempting to install a handpicked board member before the will of the voters can take effect, that’s not government; that’s a power play.”
Some speakers noted that most local municipalities and school districts have specific policies for filling vacancies which require an open, transparent process.
“It’s difficult to believe that the circumstances for filling a vacant seat would be so drastically different here,” said Meredith Torres. “You can select the most qualified candidate, but if it’s not done transparently and publicly, it erodes the trust that we in the district have in you as a body and the candidates you choose.”
Former board member and attorney Victor Verbeke speculated that the board planned to accept the resignation of Brong in order to appoint him as Braccio’s replacement.
“A current member wants to step down, which is his right, so let’s just move a current member with just four days left into his term into that spot,” said Verbeke. “That’s what you’re doing. This is legal gymnastics. This is nothing more than gamesmanship by everyone sitting there today.”
The incoming Democratic board members echoed the community’s concerns about the rushed approval process, the absence of public deliberation and the inconvenient timing of the meeting.
“This entire situation has shown that the board has lost its focus on the students,” said Alex Wisser. “By not allowing fair appointment process, you are missing out on interested and qualified board candidates. All of these political maneuvers are distractions that prevent the board from being effective and student-focused.”
“Rushing this is a garage decision intended as a final flex of power, causing great agitation and anger in a great many people in our community,” said Rosemary Buetikofer. “There is no reason to vote on this today. You are choosing to do it and upsetting a lot of people in the process.”
“Show your work and show the community that you are willing to work together with the newly-elected instead of against us,” added Corinne DeGeiso, before referencing the district’s motto. “Make character count again.”
Board approves resignations and appointment
Following public comment, the board unanimously accepted the resignations of Braccio and Brong with no discussion. School board president Stephen Nelson then nominated Brong to fill the vacancy created by Braccio’s resignation, eliciting loud jeers and shouts from the crowd.
As Nelson attempted to restore order, some community members stood to object to the appointment, prompting likeminded attendees to join. In total, roughly 50 attendees registered their objections to the appointment.
Following the objections, the board unanimously appointed Brong to serve the remainder of Braccio’s term. Board members offered no comment, with the exception of Kim Wheeler, who expressed an interest in a candidate with “experience.”
“I’m voting for someone who is experienced because, as we are getting four new board members, I would like someone who also has experience,” said Wheeler. “I would like to not have five brand new board members.”
The vote evoked another round of groans and shouts of “shame” from the audience.
“I’ve practiced law for 40 years,” said Verbeke as the meeting concluded. “Never have I seen such gamesmanship. It boggles my mind.”
The next Souderton Area School Board meeting is on December 1 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit soudertonsd.org
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