Police To Be Stationed At Strongsville Schools For May 8 Primary

STRONGSVILLE, OH — A Strongsville police officer will be stationed at any school serving as a polling place during the May 8 primaries, Superintendent Cameron Ryba announced on Tuesday. The district wants to ensure the safety of staff and students throughout the day.

Strongsville Schools typically close for general election voting in November. However, the district has always kept its schools open in May because primary elections do not always occur, Ryba said in an email to Patch.

The following schools will serve as polling places on May 8: Edith Whitney Elementary School, Howard Chapman Elementary School, Bessie Kinser Elementary School, Strongsville Middle School, Edna Surrarrer Elementary School, and Strongsville Early Learning Pre-School.

"However, this year voting will occur on May 8th and school will remain open. To ensure a safe and secure learning environment for our staff and students on this day, a Strongsville Police Officer will be stationed at all of our school buildings that are polling locations during regular school hours," Ryba said.

Last week, the Strongsville Schools announced additional security for its preschool and elementary buildings. The Board of Education approved the necessary funding and Ryba is working with local police to add additional security coverage. That new security should have started Monday.

"I would like to thank Chief [Mark] Fender, the Strongsville Police Department, and our officers for their continued collaboration and work with our District," Ryba said.

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