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Juan Romero, who moved to Beloit last year from Las Vegas and began attending school board meetings and district events, was the top vote-getter earning 19.5% of the vote. JoAnne Ruch, who taught in the Beloit district but left to teach in Janesville, received 17.2% of the vote.

Miller, a former school board president, finished third at 16.9%. She edged out Bill Johnson by 119 votes and Kenda Roman by 148.

Incumbent Gregg Schneider was in sixth place with 13.8% of the vote.

The newcomers will be walking into a tough situation. A $40.25 million operational referendum fell by fewer than 150 votes Tuesday, meaning the district and the board will be facing a more than $6 million budget deficit next school year.