By MaryHelen Swanson

"It's a very respectable levy for the district," said Rush City School District Superintendent Vern Koepp.

He was referring to the approved 3.07 percent 2008 levy increase following the district's tax hearing.

The levy increase is among the lowest in the past 10 years.

It is set at the maximum allowed at $2,035,750.65.

And it does reflect the states's continued effort to shift the tax burden to the local schools, Koepp said.

This is seen in the amount of debt service picked up by the state.

In 2003, that came to 28 percent of the district's debt service payment. For 2008 it is zero percent.

The general reason why taxpayers' taxes would increase significantly with this levy is due to a valuation change in individual property.

The school district was not required to hold a tax hearing this year due to the low increase.

There was no one from the public at the meeting, Dec. 4.