Fate of School Bond Issue: Still No Decision

There has been speculation all week that the fate of the Strongsville School District's bond issue would be known today, but that is not the case, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

The $81 million bond issue is clinging to a 3-vote lead following the Nov. 6 general election, which means the 51 absentee ballots that came in after Election Day and the 698 provisional ballots cast in Strongsville will determine whether it passes or fails.

The Board of Elections has 10 days to review provisional ballots -- votes cast at the polls but set aside because of questions about the voters' eligibility -- and reject those that do not qualify.

That led local officials to speculate that they would be counted on Nov. 16.

Superintendent John Krupinski said Thursday night he confirmed with the board that the provisional ballots would be opened on Tuesday, Nov. 20. 

But the new totals will not be released until the Board of Elections certifies the results on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

"We will know on Nov. 27 what the final total is," Krupinski said.

The board will meet Nov. 27 at 4:30 p.m.

If the margin is still close enough to require an automatic recount -- if it's less than one-half of 1 percent -- that could be done as early as Dec. 4, with the results released Dec. 16.

The long process has left supporters anxiously awaiting the final numbers.

"I know one thing: We're still plus-3," Krupinski said Thursday night. "And that's a good thing."