Reston families are already paying higher property taxes to make up for what the state doesn't spend on public schools. A new funding option just became available, but don't expect to vote on it anytime soon.

Virginia's two-year budget, signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger in June, gives all Northern Virginia localities the power to put a sales-tax increase on the ballot. Voters would decide whether to raise the local sales tax by up to 1 percentage point. The money could go to schools, transportation or both.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who represents Reston on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, said at a Northern Virginia Transportation Commission meeting on Thursday that no local government is "seriously considering" a referendum.

"As a region, we should be looking at this, [but] as a region, this is something we need to talk a lot more about," Alcorn said.

He added that Fairfax County's last three school-funding referendums all failed.

Why this matters for local schools

Fairfax County Public Schools has long struggled with what its own FY2027 budget calls "chronic state underfunding." The School Board adopted that budget unanimously in May.

The numbers tell the story: for FY2026, the Board of Supervisors gave FCPS a $119 million funding boost, but that was still $129 million less than the $248 million Superintendent Michelle Reid asked for.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said in January that recent property tax hikes "have been to overcome the state's negligence in funding public education." A voter-approved sales tax could bring in new money without raising property taxes further, though no one has released a dollar estimate for Fairfax County.

Political obstacles

All 10 Fairfax County supervisor seats are on the ballot in 2027. That makes it risky for supervisors to push a tax increase in the same election cycle.

A 1-point increase would move the sales tax from 6% to 7% on most purchases. In places that already have a meals tax, restaurant bills could face rates as high as 12%. Sales taxes hit lower-income families hardest, which makes the idea politically tough even in a Democratic-leaning county.

Fairfax County already added a 4% meals tax in January, which is expected to bring in about $65 million in its first year. That tax went into effect without a voter referendum.

Arlington is more interested

Arlington County Board member Maureen Coffey said at the same Thursday meeting that "Arlington is very seriously considering it," but added there is "absolutely no chance" it would happen this year. She said passing a referendum would take a huge investment of time and political energy.

Alexandria City Council member Canek Aguirre urged Northern Virginia localities to work together on a regional strategy rather than going it alone.

What's next

Before this budget, only nine Virginia localities could hold these referendums. The state budget also sets aside $1.3 million for a panel to study Virginia's school funding formula.

No date has been set for Fairfax County to formally discuss whether to pursue a referendum. Alcorn said regional conversations would continue over the summer.