2008 Triennial School Census Begins

Count determines amount of state sales tax revenue returned to Falls Church City

POSTED: 10:52 a.m. EDT, March 12, 2008
By: FCCPS Communications

The Falls Church City Public Schools will join Virginia’s 131 other school divisions in conducting the 2008 Triennial School Census of children. The census count is conducted every three years, and the data are used to determine how much sales tax revenue should be returned to local communities. 

“It is important for all families with children up to 19-years-of-age to respond to the census, even if their children attend private or parochial schools, are home-schooled, or are away in the military or at college,” said Hunter Kimble, Assistant Superintendent of Finance.  “Otherwise, the city will receive less than its fair share of state sales tax revenue.”

An accurate count of school-age children is expected to generate nearly $1,000 per child per year for Falls Church City.   Even if residents don’t have children, it is important that they respond to the census to ensure a complete count that includes all households.

The school census count of children also helps school divisions measure current population trends and make projections for future needs.  These data include information on preschoolers, toddlers and infants.

The commonwealth returns 1.125 percent of the revenue collected through the five percent state sales and use tax to localities to support public education, which is approximately $1.1 billion for the current fiscal year.  The money may be used by school divisions for operations, maintenance, capital projects and debt service.

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