School board unanimously backs study of 1% local-option sales tax to fund school capital needs

The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously on July 9 to support consideration of a 1% local‑option sales tax referendum to finance school construction, major renovations and capital improvements. The resolution asks the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to evaluate placing such a ballot measure before voters and reaffirms the board’s commitment that revenues, if approved, be strictly earmarked for school capital and not supplant existing funding.

Board member Matteo Dunn, who brought the resolution, told colleagues he had spent years assessing facility conditions and characterized the district’s deferred maintenance backlog at about $400 million; he and other members argued that a local-option sales tax could accelerate renovations and reduce pressure on property taxes. Supporters noted that a number of Virginia localities already have similar authority and that when put to voters in those jurisdictions the measure has succeeded.

Board members emphasized that the resolution does not itself place the tax on a ballot; rather it asks county supervisors to study the measure and, if appropriate, put a referendum to voters. The motion passed unanimously.

What happens next: The resolution will be transmitted to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the county executive, the superintendent and the county’s General Assembly delegation; any local referendum would require separate Board of Supervisors action and voter approval.