CHATHAM, Va. – A recount is expected in the razor-thin defeat of last week’s school bond referendum in Pittsylvania County. School board members have given their blessing to the recount and expressed disappointment over the outcome.

The referendum to raise Pittsylvania County’s sales tax by 1% failed by just 23 votes — 12,751 to 12,728 — out of 25,479 votes cast. That qualifies for a recount.

The sales tax revenue from the increase would have generated about $3.3 million per year. Supporters say the money is badly needed to repair the county’s aging school buildings.

The Pittsylvania County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to proceed with a recount.

A similar proposal was easily approved in Danville, where there was no organized opposition to the tax hike.