Washington school board picks new leadership

WASHINGTON — School board members in Washington have picked a new president and vice president to lead the districts decision-making group for the next year, swapping out former Board President Troy Suchan with former Board Vice President Mike Liska.

While Suchan will remain on the board until his term ends in 2027, he announced last month that he wouldn’t seek re-election after that. He nominated Liska to take his place at the helm during a meeting Nov. 13, a motion that passed unanimously.

“He’s been the vice president for the last year, he’s done very good at it,” Suchan said. “I was no longer going to be able to be one of the executives, so it was just a natural choice.”

With the gavel now in Liska’s hands, he’s tasked with running Washington’s school board meetings, calling any off-schedule special sessions, and representing the board’s collective opinion in conversations with the public and news media.

The meeting saw school board member Mindi Rees named the group’s vice president, also by unanimous vote. Both she and Liska said they were honored by the leadership positions and would keep the district moving forward in the coming year.

“I just think we have great things in the future,” Rees said. “I look forward to being part of it.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com