Assistant superintendent gets the nod to replace Frank Gallagher
The Souderton Area School Board Thursday unanimously appointed Assistant Superintendent Christopher Hey as the district’s next superintendent.
Hey, who will replace retiring Superintendent Frank Gallagher, has held various administrative positions in the district since 2001, including lead assistant principal at Souderton Area High School, director of human resources and assistant superintendent for the past 13 years.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to lead this district and continue the traditions of excellence that Frank and the board have established and those that came before you,” said Hey.
“Chris is an incredible man, and he has the patience of a saint because he’s worked with me for a long time,” added Gallagher. “He’s guided me; I’ve guided him, and I’m so proud of him tonight.”
The board appointed Hey to a three-year term, effective July 1, at an annual salary of $222,700.
Policy revisions
The board approved two revised meetings policies by a vote of 5-4, with board members Rosemary Buetikofer, Corinne DeGeiso, Andrew Souchet and Alex Wisser voting in the minority after requesting provisions to allow three board members to add agenda items, require the attachment of draft minutes and permit remote public comment.
The board also approved on second reading a revised membership policy by a vote of 5-4, with Buetikofer, DeGeiso, Souchet and Wisser voting in the minority after requesting more specific language on filling vacancies.
The board reappointed McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC as the district’s solicitor for the 2026-2027 school year by a vote of 7-2, with Wisser and Degeiso voting in the minority due to the lack of an RFP.
State legislative update
Buetikofer, the board’s liaison to the Montgomery County School Directors Legislative Committee, informed fellow board members of a proposed State House of Representatives bill to allow school boards to adopt later start times for secondary schools. She said that committee members voiced unease about the bill due to the impact on school transportation, career and technical school schedules and sports and activities.
Buetikofer additionally reported that guest legislator State Rep. Greg Scott raised concerns about new teacher retention rates, noting that many leave the profession within the first three-to-five years, and shared his expectation that the state budget will be passed on time.
The meeting also highlighted some upcoming high school events, including a ribbon-cutting for a new “Words or Worth” mural on May 7 in honor of Youth Mental Health Awareness day, the annual greenhouse plant sale fundraiser on May 9 and senior prom on May 16.
The next Souderton Area School Board meeting is on May 28 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit soudertonsd.org
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