BROOKLYN, Ohio — It’s a waiting game for Brooklyn City Schools as unofficial election results show the school district’s bond issue passing by just six votes.
“It's scary that it's that close,” Brooklyn voter and mother of two Jennifer Plachy tells 3News. “The waiting is the hardest part.”
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has the count of the ballot measure at 881 votes for the bond issue and 875 against it. The count does not include all mail-in and provisional ballots.
“Every vote does count and to hear that it's by six makes me proud and happy that I went out yesterday and did what I needed to do,” Brooklyn resident Dan DiCicco says.
Both DiCicco and Plachy say they voted for the bond issue, which would generate $20 million to renovate district buildings and cost taxpayers an additional $104 annually for every $100,000 of their home’s value.
“I understand there's a lot of hard times and people are reluctant … paying more for anything, but it's really important for our kids to have the education that they need and to support that,” Plachy adds.
Mail-in ballots have four days after the election to arrive at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to be counted. Provisional ballots will be approved April 1, according to the BOE. Once those ballots are counted, the results razor-thin results of Brooklyn’s bond issue could change.
“This is just where we just have to trust the process,” DiCicco says.
In an email to 3News, Brooklyn Schools Superintendent Dr. Ted Caleris wrote, “As of this morning, the results are very positive for the district, and we are encouraged with the tentative result. With the slim margin right now sitting at six votes, I anticipate a recount from the Board of Elections."
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections will not release official results until April 9 after all valid mail-in and provisional ballots are counted. The Board will announce automatic recounts on April 9 as well.
“Regardless of the end result, it is quite obvious that we have an engaged and supportive community,” Caleris told 3News. “Once the Board of Elections certifies the vote, the district will make a determination of our next steps.”