DANVILLE, Va. – Danville voters will decide in November whether they want to boost the local sales tax by one percent to fund upgrades to local schools. And now a group has formed to promote the referendum.

The “Vote Yes for DPS” initiative hopes to convince voters of the need for capital improvements system-wide, particularly on the George Washington  and Langston campuses. School leaders want to upgrade the Langston Focus Center and relocate Galileo Magnet High School there.

The tax hike would add $8.8 million a year in school funding and help the city secure a $140 million, 20-year bond.

The cost of the school improvements is estimated at just under $200 million.