On Tues., Sept. 21, the Affton Board of Education unanimously approved the 2021 tax rate of $5.1103, maintaining a voluntary tax rollback of 35-cents first introduced in 2017.
Assessed valuations for 2021 increased 9.49% over 2020. Because annual fluctuations in the tax rate are correlated to changes in assessed valuations, the tax rates for 2021 ($5.1103) are decreased compared to the 2020 rates ($5.4094).
As promised, Affton School District has continued to honor its commitment to the community by investing over $4.8 million in capital improvements throughout the District in the 2020-2021 school year. During that time, funds generated from Prop N, the bond issue approved by the community in November 2016, have been used to complete the retaining wall and site improvements at Affton High School.
“Affton School District and the Board of Education have pledged our commitment to fiscal responsibility,” said Dr. Travis Bracht, superintendent. “That extends to doing all we can to save money for our taxpayers and helping ease the tax burden on the Affton community while still maintaining the funds necessary to operate the district and support key improvement strategies that will keep our schools and our community strong.”
Capital improvement plans for the 2021-2022 school year include applying approximately $4.6 million toward:
- Renovation of the existing Affton High School Football Stadium, including a new turf field, pressbox, visitor bleachers, and scoreboard;
- Replacement of mechanical equipment to increase energy efficiencies at Affton High School through a performance contract;
- Implementation of building automation controls to improve air quality and energy efficiency throughout the District;
- Safety and site improvements at Mesnier Primary School along Weber Road;
- New classroom furniture at Gotsch Intermediate School;
- Continuing routine maintenance and repairs throughout the District, including replacement of roofing, asphalt, and other repairs as needed.