County Officials Explain 1 For Schools Sales Tax Referendum
TL;DR: County and school leaders outlined the mechanics and rationale for a 1 percent sales tax referendum on the November ballot, expected to generate up to 70 million dollars annually for school construction and maintenance projects.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors and Chesterfield County Public Schools leadership
- What: Discussion of the 1 For Schools sales tax referendum proposing a 1 percent increase in the county sales tax
- When: November 3, 2026
- Where: Chesterfield County
The story
On a recent episode of the Chesterfield Behind the Mic podcast, Interim County Administrator Matt Harris and other school and county officials discussed the mechanics and reasoning behind the "1 For Schools" sales tax referendum scheduled for the November 3 ballot.
The proposal would increase Chesterfield County's retail sales tax by one percentage point, from 6 percent to 7 percent. Groceries and personal hygiene products would be exempt from the tax. County officials project the measure would generate $65 million to $70 million annually for public school capital projects.
The tax would expire on July 22, 2046, in accordance with Virginia law. To offset the increased sales tax burden, the Board of Supervisors has committed to reducing the real estate tax by 2 cents per $100 of assessed value and the personal property tax by 10 cents per $100 of assessed value if voters approve the measure.
Officials identified six major capital projects for the funds: replacing the 1924 Midlothian Middle School facility; completing Matoaca Middle School replacement; consolidating Thomas Dale High School's split campuses; constructing a gymnasium addition at L.C. Bird High School; building two new elementary schools in the Midlothian and Dale District areas to address overcrowding; and supporting countywide maintenance including roof, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and paving replacements across all school facilities.
Dr. Reid Wodicka emphasized the schools' priorities: "We want to make sure our students are in brick-and-mortar classrooms that are healthy and safe and in happy places." Dr. John Murray stated that school leaders are "excited about the possibility of accelerating several projects and continuing to provide high-quality learning environments and academic opportunities for the children of Chesterfield County."
According to Board Chair Dr. Mark Miller, approximately 25 percent of revenue generated by the tax would come from visitors and people traveling through Chesterfield, spreading the tax burden beyond county residents.
Key players
- Matt Harris: Interim Chesterfield County Administrator
- Dr. John Murray: Superintendent, Chesterfield County Public Schools
- Dr. Mark Miller: Board Chair, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
- Dr. Reid Wodicka: School district official
Key dates
- 2026-11-03: Voters decide on 1 For Schools sales tax referendum
- 2046-07-22: Scheduled expiration of the 1 percent sales tax if approved
The case for
The referendum offers a dedicated funding mechanism for critical school infrastructure needs that have accumulated over time, particularly the replacement of aging facilities like Midlothian Middle School (built 1924) that may no longer provide safe, modern learning environments. The proposed tax relief measures (2-cent real estate tax reduction and 10-cent personal property tax reduction) offset part of the sales tax increase, and the exemptions for groceries and hygiene products reduce the burden on lower-income households. The temporary nature of the tax (20-year duration) and the restriction to school capital projects provides fiscal accountability.
The case against
A sales tax increase places additional spending burden on all consumers, including those on fixed incomes and those living paycheck-to-paycheck, even with the proposed tax relief. The tax would apply to most retail purchases, potentially affecting discretionary spending in the county and potentially impacting local retail competitiveness compared to neighboring areas. Some residents may prefer alternative funding mechanisms such as state funding increases, increased debt capacity through bonds without voter approval, or reprioritization of existing county budgets rather than adding a new tax.
Why it matters: The referendum directly affects school quality and learning environments for all Chesterfield County students. It also impacts household budgets for all residents through increased sales tax, while the proposed real estate and personal property tax reductions provide partial offsets for property owners. The outcome will determine whether the county can accelerate school construction and maintenance projects that address overcrowding, aging facilities, and infrastructure renewal.
Places
- Midlothian Middle School
- Matoaca Middle School
- Thomas Dale High School
- L.C. Bird High School
- Chesterfield County Public Schools
Development timeline
- 2026-07-22Board of Supervisors unanimously adopts resolution for referendum: Board voted to request that the Chesterfield Circuit Court place the referendum on the November ballot [source]
- 2026-08-06Chesterfield leaders present sales tax referendum proposal details: County and school officials discussed infrastructure priorities, revenue projections, and tax offset measures [source]
- 2026-09-02County and schools host joint public meetings on referendum: Board of Supervisors and school board hosting series of meetings throughout the county to discuss the proposal [source]
- 2026-11-03Referendum vote on November ballot: Chesterfield County voters decide on 1 For Schools sales tax proposal [source]
Related links
- 1 For Schools Referendum Official Page
- Chesterfield County Announces 1 For Schools Referendum
- County and Schools Host Joint Public Meetings on Referendum
- Chesterfield Behind the Mic Podcast
Read the original at Chesterfield County (YouTube) →
Sources
- Voters to Decide on Local Sales Tax Plan, 1 For Schools, on Nov. 3
- 1 For Schools Referendum Official Information
- Chesterfield leaders discuss proposal for 1% sales tax hike to fund school projects
- Chesterfield County and CCPS to Host Joint Public Meetings About 1 For Schools Referendum
- A 1% Sales Tax Increase Will Be Voted On In Chesterfield