UPDATE: Bond Issue for Strongsville Schools

NOTE: This story has been updated Nov. 7 with new figures.

With all 36 precincts counted, the Strongsville School District's bond issue appeared to have lost by 83 votes, but new figures available Wednesday morning show the issue has passed by 28 votes. 

However, there will be a recount and provisional votes may not have not been counted.

The final tally was 11,006 against Issue 116 and 10,923 in favor, according to unofficial results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. On Wednesday morning, the vote is shown at 11,222 for and 11,194 against.

Here is a statement by Superintendent John Krupinski:

"It is a great day for our district, the Strongsville community, but more importantly, it is a great day for our students.

We want to thank our community for their support of Issue 116. We especially thank our volunteers, our Board of Education, PTA Council, and the broad group of supporters we had throughout our community. Their dedication and hard work was critical to our success.   Special thanks to:  Tom Laub and Pat Pell, co-chairs of our Campaign Committee, for their leadership and tireless effort throughout the campaign and to Mayor Thomas Perciak for his support and endorsement.

We appreciate the support of our community and the trust they have placed in our district.  We will continue to report to the community all progress on this important project to ensure integrity and accountability.

With the passage of the Bond Issue we are now able to upgrade our high school, attend to critical repairs at our elementary schools, update technology, and build a new middle school. We can address serious facility concerns while continuing to provide the high-quality, cost-effective education Strongsville residents expect.  We are proud of our “Excellent with Distinction” State Report Card rating.

We will continue to work each day to provide the best education possible for each and every student.

Once again – THANK YOU!"

Issue 116, the $81 million bond issue, would pay to construct a new middle school on the site of the existing Center Middle School; make significant upgrades to Strongsville High School, including improvements to technology; and make safety- and comfort-related repairs to the elementary schools.

Krupinski said combining the two middle schools into one would save at least $1.5 million a year in operating costs.

The timing of the 33-year issue was considered crucial. Because two existing bond issues that cost $77 a year for every $100,000 in home valuation are expiring, a homeowner would see taxes rise only about $25 a year -- $2.09 a month -- per $100,000 in valuation.

Supporters said having to sell a bond issue without recapturing expiring money would be much more difficult.