Portsmouth Public Schools Proposes 1% Sales Tax Referendum for New School Construction
Portsmouth Public Schools is proposing a one percent sales tax referendum that, if approved by voters and the City Council, could fund the construction of a new K-8 school and allow sixth graders to attend middle schools, aligning with other…
Norfolk Portsmouth Newport News, VA, September 17, 2026 — Portsmouth Public Schools is moving forward with a proposal that could reshape the district’s infrastructure and grade-level organization. The school division is advocating for a one percent sales tax referendum, a measure that requires approval from both voters and the City Council to move forward.
If passed, the referendum’s primary objective is to generate funding for the construction of a new K-8 school facility. This initiative aims to address potential capacity needs and modernize educational spaces within the division.
Beyond the construction of a new school, the proposed tax increase is also intended to facilitate a significant change in student placement. The plan includes allowing sixth graders to transition from elementary schools to middle schools. This realignment would bring Portsmouth Public Schools’ structure more in line with that of other school divisions across the Hampton Roads region, where sixth graders typically attend middle school.
The potential benefits highlighted by the proposal include freeing up much-needed space within existing elementary schools. The exact timeline for when these votes or council approvals might take place was not detailed in the proposal summary. Additionally, specific financial figures related to the projected cost of the new school construction or the anticipated revenue from the one percent sales tax were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Naomi Washington on www.wtkr.com, see more information here.
