Guilford County residents asked to vote on quarter-cent sales tax to support teacher pay

Guilford County residents are being asked to vote for or against a new quarter-cent sales tax this election. 

For individuals, the proposed increase would mean an extra five pennies on a $20 purchase. For the county, it could generate an estimated $25 million. 

At a recent meeting, Guilford County Schools Superintendent Whitney Oakley pointed out that the tax would also apply to visitors. 

“That would be all the people that come to Guilford County to do things like the furniture market, the Tanger Center, sporting events, the Wyndham Championship, concerts," Oakley said.

County commissioners have agreed to put the proceeds toward increasing the local supplement for teachers and classified employees. 

The tax would not apply to everyday items like gas, groceries or medicine.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.