County Board Authorizes School Capital Sales Tax for November Ballot
TL;DR: Chesterfield Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on July 23 to place a 1% sales tax referendum on the November ballot to fund school capital projects, potentially raising $65-70 million annually over 20 years.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield Board of Supervisors, Chesterfield County Public Schools
- What: Authorized 1% sales tax referendum for school capital construction and renovations
- When: July 23, 2026 (vote); November 2026 (voter referendum)
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors unanimously voted on July 23 to place a 1% sales tax referendum on the November general election ballot. If approved by voters, the tax would generate roughly $65 to $70 million annually—or approximately $1 billion over two decades—dedicated exclusively to school construction and renovation projects.
The referendum comes as the school district faces significant capacity pressures. Chesterfield's student enrollment has grown from about 50,000 students in 2000 to 64,000 by 2025, straining existing facilities and driving demand for new schools and major renovations. The district has already moved to address overcrowding through previous bond referendums: Deep Creek Middle School opened in August 2025, and Deep Creek Elementary School is scheduled to open in August 2026.
The capital projects identified for funding include replacement of three elementary schools (A.M. Davis, Bensley, and Grange Hall), a new elementary school in the western portion of the county near Route 360, replacement of Midlothian Middle School, and renovation of Thomas Dale High School's West campus. According to the county, these selections were based on growth projections from Chesterfield's StratIS tool, which forecasts future capacity needs, and facility condition assessments of existing buildings.
The Board of Supervisors also proposed a property tax offset to accompany the sales tax increase, as part of a broader tax relief initiative. The board approved a 1-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate in 2026, bringing it to 89 cents per $100 of assessed value, marking the fourth consecutive year of rate cuts and the lowest rate in the county's modern history.
The ability to hold a schools-specific sales tax referendum is relatively new for Chesterfield. Provisions in the 2026 state budget, which took effect this month, expanded this tool to all Virginia municipalities. Previously, only a handful of localities in the state had the authority to put such a measure to voters. Chesterfield is among several Central Virginia localities now pursuing similar sales tax increases for school construction, with Powhatan County having already approved its measure.
Key players
- Chesterfield Board of Supervisors: County governing body that voted unanimously to authorize the referendum
- Chesterfield County Public Schools: School district that would receive proceeds from the sales tax to fund capital projects
Key dates
- 2026-11-01: November 2026 general election; voters decide on 1% sales tax referendum
The case for
A sales tax increase dedicated to school capital projects would provide reliable, long-term funding for facilities needed to accommodate continuing enrollment growth without relying solely on property taxes. The measure offers tax relief through a real estate tax rate reduction, spreading the tax burden across sales while reducing the tax burden on homeowners. Multiple funding sources allow the county to pursue its full capital improvement strategy.
The case against
A sales tax increase affects all shoppers, including those without school-age children and retirees on fixed incomes. The measure commits the county to a 20-year revenue stream tied to consumer spending, which can fluctuate with economic conditions. Voters opposed to additional taxation have the alternative of requesting the county prioritize school funding through existing revenue sources or reduce other spending.
Why it matters: School capacity directly affects classroom sizes, teaching quality, and property values in the county. Without funding for the proposed projects, enrollment growth could force continued reliance on portable classrooms and overcrowded facilities. For residents considering the referendum, the outcome determines how the county balances school infrastructure needs against tax policy over the next two decades.
Places
- Chesterfield County
- A.M. Davis Elementary
- Bensley Elementary
- Grange Hall Elementary
- Midlothian Middle School
- Thomas Dale High School
- Deep Creek Middle School
- Deep Creek Elementary School
- Route 360
Development timeline
- 2026-07-23Board of Supervisors votes on sales tax referendum: Chesterfield Board of Supervisors unanimously votes to authorize a 1% sales tax referendum for the November general election ballot [[source]](https://www.richmondbizsense.com/2026/07/23/chesterfield-supervisors-approve-sales-tax-hike-referendum-propose-property-tax-cut-offset/)
- 2026-08-01Deep Creek Middle School opens: School district opens new middle school to address capacity growth; Deep Creek Elementary School scheduled to open August 2026 [[source]](https://www.richmonder.org/chesterfield-the-latest-locality-to-seek-1-sales-tax-increase-for-school-construction/)
- 2026-11-01Voters decide on sales tax referendum: Chesterfield voters go to polls to decide whether to approve 1% sales tax increase for school capital projects [[source]](https://www.richmondbizsense.com/2026/07/23/chesterfield-supervisors-approve-sales-tax-hike-referendum-propose-property-tax-cut-offset/)
Related links
- Chesterfield County School Capital Referendum (official county page)
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
- Chesterfield County Public Schools
Read the original at Chesterfield County (YouTube) →
Sources
- Chesterfield County School Capital Referendum (official)
- Chesterfield supervisors approve sales tax hike referendum, propose property tax cut offset (Richmond BizSense)
- Chesterfield the latest locality to seek 1% sales tax increase for school construction (Richmond Mag)
- Voters in some Virginia localities will decide whether a school construction tax should go forward (WVTF)
- Chesterfield Board Proposes Sales Tax Referendum for Schools