Election 2025: Flemming Godiksen For Centennial School Board

Candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP, PA — Flemming Godiksen is running for a seat on the Centennial School Board in the Nov. 4 general election.

Godiksen, a Republican, is among the candidates vying for four-year seats open in several regions. He is currently the vice president of the Centennial School Board.

In Region 1, it's Democrat Elizabeth Montalvo against Republican incumbent Flemming Godiksen.

In Region 2, it's Democrat Krista DiPaolo against Republican incumbent Mark Gindhart.

In Region 3, it's Democrat Karen Kreiger and incumbent School Director Jane Lynch, a Republican running on the Democratic ticket. They face Republican School Board President Mary Alice Brancato and Mark Werner.

Biographical Information

• Name: Flemming Godiksen
• Age: 71
• Town of Residence: Upper Southampton Township
• Position sought: Centennial School Board Director – Region 1
• Are you an incumbent? yes, on the board since 2017
• What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Upper Southampton Township – Region 1
• Party Affiliation: Republican
• Family: Married, wife Marguerite Genesio, five adult children, three grandchildren
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Education, Socio-Educational University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Master’s degree in Special Education, Penn State University, Great Valley, Pa
• Occupation: Retired with 39 years of classroom teaching and administration of transition services for Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22. Service to all 16 high schools, technical schools, and numerous private schools in Bucks County.

Candidate Questions

1. The public was against the hiring of the new schools superintendent. What is your stance on that?

First of all, only a very small group of vocal residents opposed the hiring of Abraham Lucabaugh as Centennial's new superintendent, and they were not because of his credentials. He was one of 32 candidates. The board, by unanimous choice, chose to interview seven applicants over two rounds. One board member was unengaged during his interview, while another fell asleep. The second round of the top three applicants concluded with the selection of Dr. Lucabaugh as the clear top candidate by seven board members, and eliminating a third round.

Dr. Lucabaugh has already demonstrated why he was the best choice by a complete change in morale and culture in the district. He has held focus groups with students and community members, including teaching staff and parents in the interview process of completing a new progressive administrative team. Therefore, I completely supported bringing the new superintendent to the Centennial School District, and as I expected, he would reach out and engage all stakeholders.

2. What educational background do you bring to the position?

I have bachelor of science in education from Socio-Educational University in Copenhagen and a masters in special education from Penn State University, Great Valley, Pa. I also have an accounting degree from Denmark.

Elected two times to the Centennial School Board, I am currently serving in my third year as vice president on the board and chair the education committee. I’m proud to also serve as the Centennial School District representative on the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology’s board as an executive board director, including two years as president, and four years as vice president. I represent Centennial School District as the school director on the Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 board, elected by 13 school district board of directors from Bucks County.

I worked 39 years in special education for Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22, where I worked to develop, implement, and direct an innovative program, whereby high school students identified with special needs were evaluated for talent, interest, and abilities and then matched, placed, and trained in compensated employment positions.

Throughout my career in education, I have worked on budgets and continue to creatively overcome challenges to provide the highest level of educational opportunity for our students while maintaining responsibility to the parents, taxpayers, our teachers, and employees.

3. What are the biggest challenges to the school district in the future?

The Centennial School District has seen amazing growth in the scores of academics, now we need to find a way to transform this into achievement. We are finalizing our administrative team where the district is finding great talent to formulate the success that is underway. Special Education has challenges that most be addressed with new creative thinking and options to ensure the best possible education and skills training.

Finding the fine balance in the budget to present most effective and efficient service at the right price. The focus for Centennial School District to show case the positive trend and build on the developing new positive culture and engagement with the community that makes the district a preferred location to live in.