DANVILLE, Va. – It’s official: Danville’s retail sales tax will now rise 1% to fund much-needed school improvements in the city.

Danville voters overwhelmingly approved the referendum in November and Danville City Council formally adopted the increase at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The public school system will use the money to fund a twenty-year improvement plan for new school construction and renovation. One of the first priorities will be to relocate Galileo Magnet High School to the current Langston Focus School campus.

The tax will not apply to purchases of groceries or prescription drugs.

It’s estimated that the 1% increase will bring in $144 million in additional revenue for Danville’s public schools.