In a dramatic turn of events Monday night, longtime education advocate Deb Suchla was elected president of the La Crosse School Board during the board’s annual reorganization meeting.

Suchla, a veteran board member known for her pragmatic and common sense approach, won the school district presidency after three rounds of voting. The first two ballots resulted in a 4-4 deadlock between Suchla—nominated by board member Scott Neumeister—and current board treasurer Trevor Sprague, who was nominated by Meredith Garcia.

As tensions rose, the board called a brief recess to await the arrival of board member Jim Bagniewski, who had been traveling back from Europe. Upon his arrival, the board reconvened and held a third vote. This time, the tie was broken, and Suchla emerged with a 5-4 majority.

Suchla has long been recognized as a steady, common-sense leader committed to serving students, parents, and the broader community. Her years of service and level-headed demeanor have earned her widespread respect among colleagues and constituents alike.

Trevor Sprague, while unsuccessful in his bid for the presidency, has emphasized in the past his continued focus on improving transparency and communication within the district. He referenced the community division over the failed 2023 referendum to consolidate high schools, noting the importance of balancing ambition with available resources. “In an ideal world, I’d build a floating palace in the sky for every student,” he said, “but we need to deal with the constraints we face.”

With the new leadership in place, the board looks ahead to a year of collaboration and renewed focus.

Congratulations to President Deb Suchla!