The Lee County Board of Supervisors in Jonesville, Va., decided to approve an increase in property taxes, allocating resources to ensure all Lee County Schools remain operational.

In a close 3–2 vote on Wednesday night, the board agreed to raise the property tax rate from 51 cents to 69 cents per $100 of assessed value, marking a nearly 34% hike.

There have been concerns about schools closing if the tax increase wasn’t passed.

The school district initially sought $7.8 million in funding; however, Superintendent Brian Dean requested a minimum of $7.1 million from the board last week to meet essential needs.

Wednesday night, Dean told News Channel 11 that the $7.1 million the board approved will allow all schools to stay open.

“We’ve got the funding to not even look at school closure next year,” Dean said. “Keep all programs, all people in place, all schools open.”

The two no votes were from Supervisors Brian Shoemaker and Mike Kidwell.

Shoemaker said he voted no because he ran against raising taxes.

Kidwell said after voting for a tax increase last year, he would not do the same for his constituents this year.