On Tues., Sept. 17, the Affton Board of Education unanimously approved the 2024 tax rate of $4.9284, maintaining a voluntary tax rollback of 35-cents first introduced in 2017. This 35-cent rollback reduces the tax burden for the community by approximately $2.15 million for 2024.
Assessed valuations for 2024 decreased by 1.9%, or $7.4 million, from 2023. Because annual fluctuations in the tax rate are correlated to changes in assessed valuations, the tax rates for 2024 ($4.9284) are increased compared to the 2023 rates ($4.8379).
“Affton School District and the Board of Education remain committed to fiscal responsibility and transparency with our community,” said Dr. Travis Bracht, superintendent. “While the district's tax rate will adjust slightly due to increased assessed property valuations, we are maintaining the 35-cent rollback that has been in place since 2017. This ongoing effort reflects our dedication to easing the tax burden for Affton residents while ensuring we have the necessary resources to support our students, staff, and key initiatives that keep our schools and community thriving.”
While the district is committed to maintaining quality learning opportunities for students and competitive staffing levels to assist with class sizes, we will also continue to pursue competitive pay and benefits in an effort to retain and attract exceptional and qualified employees. This includes a pay increase of approximately 8.66% for our certified employees for the 2024-2025 school year, as well as additional steps awarded to teachers for prior experience served in other districts.
Affton School District has continued to honor its commitment to the community by investing $5 million in capital improvements throughout the district in the current school year. The District approved a new long-term building improvement plan in Fall 2024 that includes the modernization of current buildings through updated libraries and learning spaces. Work has already begun on many projects included in the new plan, including a new cafeteria and kitchen at Affton High School and some accessibility improvements throughout the buildings.