Chesterfield stands firm on school funding amid Virginia backlash
TL;DR: Chesterfield County voters narrowly approved a 1% sales tax for school construction on November 3, bucking a statewide trend that saw 32 of 47 Virginia localities reject similar measures.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County voters and Board of Supervisors
- What: Approved 1% sales tax referendum (1 For Schools) for school capital projects
- When: November 3, 2026
- Where: Chesterfield County
The story
Chesterfield County voters approved the "1 For Schools" referendum on November 3, authorizing a 1% increase in the county sales tax from 6% to 7%, dedicated exclusively to public school construction and renovation. The measure passed with 50.47% of the vote - a margin narrow enough that Virginia law allows a recount if at least 50 voters petition within 10 days of certification.
The approval stands out sharply against Virginia's broader rejection of school tax measures. Of 47 Virginia cities and counties that voted on similar 1% sales tax referendums Tuesday, only 15 approved them. Chesterfield and Richmond were the two largest localities in the region to buck the statewide backlash, where voters cited economic concerns and affordability as reasons for opposing tax increases.
In Chesterfield specifically, support followed geographic lines: the county's urban core backed the increase, while more rural precincts in the southern portion opposed it. Early and mail-in voters favored the measure, though voters casting ballots on Election Day voted it down.
The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors sought to ease the burden on residents by proposing a 2-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate and a 10-cent reduction in the personal property tax rate, offsetting a portion of the new sales tax revenue. County officials project the 1% tax will generate approximately $65 million annually beginning July 1, 2027, through July 2046.
The approved tax will fund six identified capital projects: Old Hundred Elementary School, a new elementary school for the Dale District, Matoaca Middle School, Midlothian Middle School, a gymnasium project at Bird High School, and campus improvements at Thomas Dale High School.
The decision reflects ongoing county investment in education. In fiscal year 2026, the Board of Supervisors allocated $2.4 billion to the county budget, with approximately $1 billion for Chesterfield County Public Schools - raising school funding by about $43 million over the prior year to cover 3% raises for teachers and additional special education support. A new high school, West Ridge High School, is under construction in Moseley and scheduled to open in 2027.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Authorized the referendum and proposed property tax offsets
- Chesterfield County Public Schools: Identified six major capital projects funded by the tax
Key dates
- 2026-11-03: 1 For Schools referendum voted on and approved
- 2026-11-13: Expected certification date; recount can be triggered within 10 days if 50+ voters petition
- 2027-07-01: 1% sales tax projected to begin generating revenue for school projects
- 2027: West Ridge High School scheduled to open in Moseley
The case for
Chesterfield faces documented school construction needs, with aging facilities and trailers used as temporary classrooms. New schools (including West Ridge High School in 2027) signal growing demand. The county offset the sales tax with property tax reductions, limiting the net tax impact on residents. The tax is dedicated exclusively to capital projects, not general operating funds.
The case against
Virginia voters broadly expressed concerns about tax increases and affordability, with 32 of 47 localities rejecting similar measures. A sales tax increase affects all purchasers including lower-income residents and those from outside the county. The narrow 50.47% margin suggests significant community division and raised questions about whether the benefit justifies the voter resistance.
Why it matters: Chesterfield's approval positions the county to fund critical school infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years with dedicated revenue, avoiding future reliance on general fund transfers that compete with other county services. The referendum outcome also signals voter appetite for education investment in a county where schools serve a significant share of residents, even as broader Virginia sentiment runs against new school taxes.
Places
- Chesterfield County
- Moseley area (West Ridge High School)+Chesterfield+VA)
Development timeline
- 2026-07-22Board of Supervisors votes to put 1 For Schools on ballot: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors formally voted to authorize a 1% sales tax referendum for school capital projects. [source]
- 2026-11-031 For Schools referendum approved narrowly: Chesterfield County voters approved the 1% sales tax increase with 50.47% support, enough to pass but close enough to trigger a potential recount. [source]
Related links
- 1 For Schools Referendum - Chesterfield County Official Page
- Chesterfield County Public Schools - Capital Improvement Plan
- Chesterfield County Official News and Announcements
Read the original at Virginia Mercury →
Sources
- Sales tax increase passes easily in Richmond, narrowly in Chesterfield - Richmond.org
- Voters reject increasing sales tax for school construction in majority of localities - Cardinal News
- Chesterfield supervisors approve $2.4B fiscal year 2026 budget - VPM
- 1 For Schools Referendum - Chesterfield County Official
- What is Chesterfield's '1 for Schools' tax referendum on fall ballots? - VPM