By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

OXFORD - What a difference 16 votes make.

Those 16 pushed the final tally to the win column following Tuesday's certification of the vote recount for the $9.2 million bond issue in the Talawanda Schools.

After the issue appeared defeated election night, Talawanda educators were given hope when the walk-in votes - from people who voted at the Board of Elections - were added, reversing the outcome.

Last week's automatic recount, followed by certification by the Butler and Preble county boards of elections, finally settled the issue. The final vote was 3,810 in favor and 3,794 against. The bond issue will increase taxes about $36 annually on a $100,000 house.

It was the second time the district had put a bond issue on the ballot to build an elementary school to replace Stewart, which closed six months ago. A larger issue that included money for building improvements failed 13 months ago.

"We're now trying to secure a location for the school," said Superintendent Phil Cagwin. "The board wants us to look in Milford Township and look for property owners ... still willing to sell property."

Contracts for architects and a construction manager won't be awarded until January after three new members are sworn into office.

But Cagwin said work will begin on sample designs for the elementary school, which is being built to house 500 students in grades kindergarten through 5. Work on readjusting the boundaries for the new school, Maud Marshall and Kramer elementary schools, will begin next year.

The recount, meanwhile, didn't change the outcome of the Mason Board of Education race. Final counts from the Warren and Butler county boards of elections show seats went to Kevin Wise, 2,808 votes; and Debbie Delp, 2,805.

E-mail suek@infionline.net