DANVILLE, Va. – Danville’s 1% sales tax increase for school improvement passed by a wide margin Tuesday night. School Superintendent Dr. Angela Hairston said community input will be sought before the first dollar is spent. A series of meetings will be held in late January and continuing through March to have community members give feedback to experts in equity and facilities as the projects proceed. Hairston thanked the voters of Danville for “believing in our school district.”

The school referendum passed by 7,587 to 4,905 votes. The school bond that will be financed by revenue from the 1% tax increase passed by a vote of 8,333 to 3,975.

In Pittsylvania County, the vote is split evenly on a similar tax increase for school upgrades, with the “no” votes leading by just 44  ballots. With 31 of 32 precincts reporting and some mail-in votes outstanding, the no votes were 12,724, 50.09%, while there were 12,680 (49.91%) votes in favor of the 1% increase for about $66 million in school upgrades countywide.

The Pittsylvania County registrar said additional ballots will probably be received by mail this week. They must be postmarked by Election Day.

Danville Del. Danny Marshall and Chatham Del. Les Adams both turned back challenges to win re-election.

In the board of supervisors contest, Pittsylvania voters indicated they want change, electing three new members to the governing body. Jessie Barksdale defeated incumbent Charles Miller, 67% to 33%. A three-way race for the Callands-Gretna District seat was won by Darrell Dalton, who got 50% of the vote. And Timothy Chesher captured 60% of the vote to beat incumbent Joe Davis for the Dan River District seat on the board.

Mike Mondul was returned as Danville Sheriff by a wide margin, beating challenger Ril Mattison.

 School bond supporters celebrate their victory