📢 School Facility Information
Due to a recent opportunity provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia to allow voters to choose whether or not to increase the local Sales Tax by 1% for the purpose of improving school facilities, Washington County Public Schools has been evaluating the division’s long-term facility needs and discussing how we can address the significant investments required across all of our schools. Following our School Board’s recent internal conversations, a Joint Meeting with the Board of Supervisors, and the first meeting of our Community CIP Committee (40+ members), I want to share information with our families and communities as this important conversation moves forward.
A recent facilities assessment conducted by Thompson & Litton identified approximately $200 million in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) needs across Washington County Public Schools. The average age of our school buildings is 59 years, with Wallace Middle School being 103 years old. Addressing these essential infrastructure needs is a significant and costly undertaking. For example, we recently had to pay more than $5,000 for a single breaker at Glade Spring Middle School.
The division has also identified opportunities for broader improvements to our schools, including safety and security improvements, enhanced learning environments, career and technical education spaces, and other areas that support students and staff. We will provide more information about those potential projects and plans, that are currently in the draft phase, in a separate communication.
As a result of the need for upgrades and modernization, the Washington County School Board has asked the Washington County Board of Supervisors to consider placing a 1% local sales tax referendum on the ballot for a possible special election in March 2027. The School Board’s request does not approve a new tax, nor does action by the Board of Supervisors. Rather, it would allow voters to decide whether to dedicate this revenue to qualifying school capital projects.
We recognize that few citizens welcome an increase in taxes, us included. However, the School Board is carefully considering how Washington County can address these significant facility needs while providing a sustainable source of funding for school capital projects with limited impact on property owners. Based on current estimates, a 1% sales tax would generate approximately $10 million annually for school capital needs. Generating a similar amount of revenue through property taxes would require an estimated 15-cent increase in the property tax rate.
Because Washington County is located along the I-81 corridor and serves as a regional hub for travelers, businesses, and visitors, a sales tax would distribute the cost beyond Washington County property owners. Individuals who make taxable purchases in Washington County, including those who live outside the county and state, would also contribute to the revenue generated by the tax. The proposed sales tax would be in place for no more than 20 years, and groceries and personal hygiene products would be exempt from the additional tax.
Revenue generated through the proposed sales tax could be used only for qualifying school capital projects and related costs. It could not be used for teacher or staff salaries, instructional programs, administrative costs, or the day-to-day operation of schools.
This additional capital funding would allow WCPS to make significant progress on the approximately $200 million in identified mechanical, electrical, and plumbing needs while also pursuing larger improvements that have not been financially feasible in the past. The Sales Tax option prevents a more significant increase that would only be shouldered by property owners. These improvements would include safety and security improvements; expanded and modernized career and technical education facilities; new and improved learning environments/schools; creation or renovation of Science Labs and STEM Labs in every school; inclusive playgrounds; and other projects identified through the division’s long-range planning process, including improvements to fine arts and athletic facilities across the division. As stated earlier, we will provide a draft version of what could result from the approval of the Sales Tax Referendum in a separate communication.
These are significant and important decisions, and we know there will be questions. We want our families, staff, and community members to have the opportunity to review the information, ask questions, and share their perspectives as the process continues. We welcome and encourage thoughtful feedback and questions as we work through these plans and ideas together.
For those who would like to learn more, we've made the presentation shared with the Community CIP Committee at this week's meeting available on our website. The presentation includes additional information about the division's facility needs, potential funding options and the types of projects that could be addressed: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/documents/community-cip-committee/29214378
To view the meeting, click here: https://washcovaschools.zoom.us/rec/share/RvE4DdESRzttg3ksew8-mbiflAOCX_cPxbfrm9sf6QzUjPfRwyr5Z3vQNy3FUQ.uafzdhBdEUHteuMt?startTime=1787067024000
Passcode: e%!3y^Dd
We are also providing access to the full Facilities Study: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/documents/district/human-resources-and-operations/facilities/29221625
We look forward to your input and ideas that will make the current draft plan better!
Tomorrow, we’ll share more information about the draft plans and ideas currently being explored for the future of our schools, facilities, and programs.
Thank you,
Keith Perrigan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Washington County Public Schools
812 Thompson Dr.
Abingdon, VA 24210
276-739-3000
@WashCoSuper