Suchla top vote-getter in La Crosse School Board race; two new city council members chosen

A veteran of the La Crosse School Board appears to be returning to the board after a five-year absence. 

Deb Suchla led a field of eight candidates for the board, with more than half of the county precincts counted.  Four open seats on the nine-person board are being filled in the April election. 

Suchla was followed in second place by Scott Neumeister, who is retiring from the La Crosse City Council to run for school board.  Close behind Neumeister in preliminary returns were Trevor Sprague and Jeff Jackson.  

Four incumbents on the board whose terms are expiring chose not to run in the spring election.  Meanwhile, more than 60 percent of the voters supported a $60 million operating referendum for the La Crosse district, to help pay school expenses over the next 10 years. 

In city of La Crosse races, Tamra Dickinson and Erin Goggin have been elected to join the city council. 

In District 1, Dickinson received 516 votes compared to 427 for Zach Harter.  Both were running to succeed retiring council veteran Andrea Richmond.  For District 2, Erin Goggin received 508 votes and Michael Davis had 227.  Goggin wins the seat being vacated by Scott Neumeister, who chose to run for the La Crosse school board instead. 

Four other La Crosse council members ran unopposed on the Tuesday ballot.