Voters in Orange County will see a fourth referendum on the ballot this November. It asks them to consider adding a 1% sales tax to fund school construction projects. 

On the ballot, it will read: 

“Shall Orange County, Virginia be authorized to levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent, with the revenues to be used solely for capital projects for new construction or major renovation of schools serving Orange County, Virginia, including related bond and loan financing costs, and with the tax expiring on July 14, 2046?”

Orange is one of 47 localities across the state that voted to add this referendum to their ballot, after the General Assembly passed legislation making it an option at the end of June. 

In Virginia, school construction projects are primarily funded through local taxes, such as real estate or personal property tax, instead of state or federal funding. That means those projects have to compete for funding against other county expenses. 

But money from this 1% sales tax would go solely towards school construction projects and renovations. 

Orange County Public School officials estimate that the tax, which would expire in 2046, could generate an estimated $5.6 million per year for Orange County. 

The Orange County Public School’s website includes a list of facilities and infrastructure needs that total more than $28 million. In FY2027, OCPS received $778,666 from the county to fund capital improvement projects. 

“The top priorities, should the funding become available, will go by the things that could potentially shut schools down,” said Rose Deal, OCPS Communications Officer. “So, HVAC issues, water issues, wastewater issues, things of that nature.” 

In a video on the OCPS website, Facilities and Maintenance Director Marshall Rudder walked viewers through a few of those potential projects, including the replacement of a wastewater treatment plant in Locust Grove. “This is a critical infrastructure that helps keep four of our 10 schools operational and ready to serve students and staff,” said Rudder.

Updating school HVAC systems is another priority, Rudder said.

Most OCPS buildings were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Orange County High School was built in 1952. That’s far older than the 50-year benchmark for school buildings, as used by the American Society of Civil Engineers. 

If voters approve the referendum, the tax wouldn’t immediately go into effect – it just gives the local government the ability to pass an ordinance adopting the tax. 

Find Orange County Public Schools’ fact sheet here.