Does the sales tax apply to any item sold in the county?

The proposed 1% sales tax would NOT apply to gas, groceries, certain personal hygiene items or items shoppers purchase online from retailers like Amazon.

How long would the sales tax be in place?

The referendum would authorize it for 20 years.

How much would it raise?

The county estimates it could provide approximately $3.5 million annually, with a significant portion coming from non-county residents. Viewed in the context of a current overall school budget of about $36 million, this would not be some enormous windfall, but it would allow the county over time to address renovation and other needs in an efficient way that will lead to operational cost savings, rather than the current “band-aid” approach that inevitably increases costs, and with less pressure on other budget lines. It could also help the county reduce what it needs to borrow—helping not just today's kids but our grandkids too.

Is this a statewide proposal, or particular to Prince Edward?

There are three statewide constitutional amendments on the ballot, but this referendum is different – it’s entirely local. The referendum and support it would provide are limited entirely to Prince Edward. Some other Virginia localities are also holding their own local referenda this year, ours only applies to Prince Edward. Every single dollar raised stays in Prince Edward County to support our local public schools. Not a penny would go anywhere else in the state.

I want my tax dollars to support teachers. Why should I support this?

This referendum actually protects funding for teachers! When sales tax revenue covers major building repairs, other funds are freed up to help recruit, pay and retain great teachers, coaches and staff. Think of it like a neighborhood association offering to pay for part of your roof repair—sure, you are contributing part of it, but others are too, and that helps frees up your home budget for everything else. Why would you refuse that offer?

I don’t have kids in Prince Edward Public Schools. How does this benefit me?

Strong public schools help build a strong local economy and are essential for our community’s future. When young families, healthcare workers, teachers, businesses and entrepreneurs are deciding whether to move to Prince Edward or to stay here, schools are the first thing they look at. Investing in the people and buildings that make for strong public schools helps us grow our local tax base, keep property values strong and keep local property taxes low for everyone. Besides, our teachers are doing a hard job for our community. They deserve our support.

Aren’t our taxes high enough already?

Nobody likes any kind of tax. But Prince Edward currently has some of the lowest property tax rates in the state—lower than neighboring Amelia, Nottoway, Cumberland, Buckingham and Charlotte, and substantially lower than Powhatan or Chesterfield. Using a modest sales tax can help us keep local property taxes as low as possible while improving the community assets that make Prince Edward a great place to live and visit.

Are Prince Edward Public Schools good stewards of public dollars?

Our public schools do a lot with a little. Under Superintendent Dr. Chip Jones, our schools are seeing real momentum. Enrollment is up and teacher recruitment has enjoyed one of its strongest years in recent memory. Recently, the Virginia Department of Education officially released Prince Edward County Public Schools from state oversight—a massive vote of confidence in the division's leadership and progress. It’s time to give our leadership the tools they need to do what we ask of them. If not now, when?

Nonpartisan community group One for Prince Edward launches schools referendum campaign with motto "Strong schools, smarter funding."

One for Prince Edward Committee

15 hours ago

8 min read

FARMVILLE, Virginia—One for Prince Edward—a local, independent, non-partisan group of parents, alumni, neighbors and community and business leaders – announced the formal launch Wednesday of its fall campaign in support of the 1 percent sales-tax referendum for county public school construction and renovation.

Backers have already been visible at community events and meetings and posting yard signs, and a range of campaign activities will gear up as early voting begins this Friday and continues through Election Day on November 3. Citizens can get involved at www.oneforprinceedward.com.

After years of lobbying in Richmond by Southside citizens and elected representatives of both parties, Prince Edward received permission this year to hold a local referendum. By law, proceeds of the proposed 1 percent sales tax can only be used to support facility needs in Prince Edward public schools. The Prince Edward Board of Supervisors voted 7-1 to authorize the referendum to appear on the ballot for the November 3rd election. Authorization was also unanimously endorsed by the County School Board. The tax would not apply to groceries or gasoline.

Neighboring localities including Charlotte and Halifax were previously authorized to hold a similar referendum. Voters there approved it, and funding has already has been used to make significant building improvements in those communities, reducing pressure on other budgets and on county property taxpayers.

Prince Edward is much more of a regional shopping destination, so has even greater potential through a sales tax to collect revenue from people who are not county residents. The County has estimated it could produce between $3 million and $4 million annually for 20 years, with a significant portion coming from non-residents.

Meanwhile, Prince Edward Schools are long overdue to address facility renovations and repairs that will only get more expensive over time if neglected, including inefficient and unreliable heating and cooling, leaking roofs, inadequate classroom spaces, and a severely outdated high school auditorium and athletic facilities. The referendum would help address those needs without cutting into other budgets and reduce pressure on county real estate taxpayers.

The Board of Supervisors and School Board cannot officially take positions on the referendum as a body, but individual members and other community leaders of all backgrounds have been among those expressing their support. Here are some of their comments:

J. David Emert, Prince Edward Board of Supervisors, Prospect District:
"While the Board of Supervisors cannot take an official position on the referendum, as a citizen and voter I will be voting ‘Yes’ because this is something our kids and teachers need -- and because it's a good deal for County taxpayers. We have overdue repairs and renovations we really need to make and they'll only get more expensive if we don't start to face them. Collecting revenue from out-of-town shoppers means the entire burden won't fall on county property taxpayers and businesses.

I also know our schools are being asked to do a lot with a little -- and we owe it to our hard-working teachers and kids to make sure they have adequate support and facilities. This is our local community stepping up to support ourselves, and to show teachers and kids we value education. But it also makes good financial sense for taxpayers in the long run.”

Cainan Townsend, PECPS Parent, School Board Chair and Executive Director, Moton Museum:
“Prince Edward County Public Schools have been a part of my life for generations. As a parent of current students, School Board member, multigenerational alumnus, adjunct instructor, and community member, I have seen firsthand how strong schools strengthen our entire community. I support the 1% sales tax initiative because it creates a broader, fairer way to fund needed school improvements without relying exclusively on property tax increases. It also exempts groceries, protecting families from added costs on everyday necessities. Supporting this initiative means investing in our children, preserving the quality of our schools, and sharing that investment across everyone who benefits from our local economy.”

Robyn Simpson, Prince Edward School Board, Prospect District:
“I am Robyn Simpson, lifelong resident of Southside Virginia and a school board member from Prospect district 601. I love our community and do not want another real estate tax increase. The One for Prince Edward is a different scenario. This 1% retail tax would come from anyone shopping in Prince Edward, not just the residents. Green Front, Davis GMC and all the places that the college students and their families shop and the revenue would go completely to the physical building needs of our school. Our school needs funds for building and renovation without an increase of real estate tax in our county. That is why I support One for Prince Edward. Our kids need this. You get to choose in November. Please choose wisely.”

Cameron Patterson, Community Volunteer and Board Chair, Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce:
“I believe voting YES for the 1% sales tax referendum is a long-term strategic investment in stronger schools, a stronger economy, and a stronger Prince Edward County. My local involvement as Board Chairperson with our local Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce, as an educator and nonprofit leader, and as a longtime community volunteer have helped me to strongly lean into the belief that modern, well-equipped schools can help to create better learning environments for our students while helping our community attract families, businesses, and a talented workforce. This investment along with the strong leadership and momentum already brewing within our local school system can further propel us forward.

I believe our community’s current and continued investment in our local public schools reflects the values of our local business community, which include supporting education, encouraging economic growth, and strengthening the quality of life that makes Prince Edward County a great place to live, work, and do business. I hope you will join me in voting YES.”

Pattie Cooper-Jones, Board of Supervisors, Farmville District:
“I, Pattie Cooper-Jones, fully support the 1% sales tax in support of Prince Edward County Public Schools. This revenue would greatly increase our ability to fund the much-needed improvements to all of our schools-related infrastructures issues. Please vote yes!”

Justin Pope, PECPS Parent and Co-Chair, One For Prince Edward:
“At a time when people are arguing about so many issues at the state and national level, it has been gratifying to see people coming together around a local issue that anyone can get behind.

We ask so much of our teachers, staff and coaches. For years they have looked around and seen that other localities have sent a much stronger message than we have about how much they value education and educators. It is time we send a strong message here. This referendum gives us a way to do that.

The campaign comes at a time of meaningful momentum for the schools under the leadership of Superintendent Chip Jones, starting his second year. The district was recently released from an oversight memorandum with the Commonwealth of Virginia—an indication of progress on multiple fronts. Perhaps an even better indication is that after several years of struggling to fill positions, the district saw significantly more interest this year as a place to work, with a number of former teachers returning to the district.

Construction of a new elementary school couldn’t wait, and the major renovation there is nearly complete -- already demonstrating to students and families how much difference it can make for students to learn, and teachers to teach, in a building that reinforces that a community is serious about education.

However, the middle and high schools have not been renovated for decades and have urgent needs related to basic heating and cooling, roof repair, not to mention crumbling athletics and arts facilities and other classroom needs. Those repairs will need to be done regardless – but without revenue from the sales tax the entire burden would follow on county property taxpayers.

A few FAQs about the referendum (also available here on our website):

Does the sales tax apply to any item sold in the county? The proposed 1% sales tax would NOT apply to gas, groceries, certain personal hygiene items or items shoppers purchase online from retailers like Amazon.
How long would the sales tax be in place? The referendum would authorize it for 20 years.
How much would it raise? The county estimates it could provide approximately $3.5 million annually, with a significant portion coming from non-county residents. Viewed in the context of a current overall school budget of about $36 million, this would not be some enormous windfall, but it would allow the county over time to address renovation and other needs in an efficient way that will lead to operational cost savings, rather than the current “band-aid” approach that inevitably increases costs, and with less pressure on other budget lines. It could also help the county reduce what it needs to borrow—helping not just today's kids but our grandkids too.
Is this a statewide proposal, or particular to Prince Edward? There are three statewide constitutional amendments on the ballot, but this referendum is different – it’s entirely local. The referendum and support it would provide are limited entirely to Prince Edward. Some other Virginia localities are also holding their own local referenda this year, ours only applies to Prince Edward. Every single dollar raised stays in Prince Edward County to support our local public schools. Not a penny would go anywhere else in the state.
I want my tax dollars to support teachers. Why should I support this? This referendum actually protects funding for teachers! When sales tax revenue covers major building repairs, other funds are freed up to help recruit, pay and retain great teachers, coaches and staff. Think of it like a neighborhood association offering to pay for part of your roof repair—sure, you are contributing part of it, but others are too, and that helps frees up your home budget for everything else. Why would you refuse that offer?
I don’t have kids in Prince Edward Public Schools. How does this benefit me? Strong public schools help build a strong local economy and are essential for our community’s future. When young families, healthcare workers, teachers, businesses and entrepreneurs are deciding whether to move to Prince Edward or to stay here, schools are the first thing they look at. Investing in the people and buildings that make for strong public schools helps us grow our local tax base, keep property values strong and keep local property taxes low for everyone. Besides, our teachers are doing a hard job for our community. They deserve our support.
Aren’t our taxes high enough already? Nobody likes any kind of tax. But Prince Edward currently has some of the lowest property tax rates in the state—lower than neighboring Amelia, Nottoway, Cumberland, Buckingham and Charlotte, and substantially lower than Powhatan or Chesterfield. Using a modest sales tax can help us keep local property taxes as low as possible while improving the community assets that make Prince Edward a great place to live and visit.
Are Prince Edward Public Schools good stewards of public dollars? Our public schools do a lot with a little. Under Superintendent Dr. Chip Jones, our schools are seeing real momentum. Enrollment is up and teacher recruitment has enjoyed one of its strongest years in recent memory. Recently, the Virginia Department of Education officially released Prince Edward County Public Schools from state oversight—a massive vote of confidence in the division's leadership and progress. It’s time to give our leadership the tools they need to do what we ask of them. If not now, when?

One For Prince Edward is an independent, non-partisan community group formed to support a brighter, better future for our local schools this November. We are a grassroots coalition of parents, teachers, students, business owners and neighbors from across Prince Edward County who believe in building stronger schools through smarter funding.

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