PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – It’s far from a done deal, but school leaders in Pittsylvania County have proposed a one percent sales tax increase to fund the cost of school repairs, which are currently estimated at $45 million.

The Pittsylvania County School Board voted Tuesday in favor of the plan, which would increase the county’s sales tax to 6.3% and raise about $3 million annually. School leaders say the county’s aging buildings are in need of major repairs that require an infusion of new revenue. Those sources are limited and many localities are considering an increase in the local sales tax to fund school upgrades.

The measure was passed unanimously by the school board at Tuesday night’s meeting and now heads to the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors for consideration. If supervisors sign off on the proposal, voters will have the final say through a referendum in November.