Some school districts are at their maximum mill levy. They will see a 5.5 percent increase.

This will put the value within the tolerance the State Board of Equalization will accept.

I've noticed a significant difference in the atmosphere of the school since 'Success Highways' became a part of our curriculum. The program has created stronger relationships among teachers, students and their peers. Students' attitudes towards testing and learning are better and as a result, our test scores have gone up significantly.

The lower that rate goes, the higher our valuation goes. The Legislature put a floor on it of 8.3 percent; otherwise, it would be 7.4 percent.

Agricultural land is valued according to a formula processed at North Dakota State University. They take production from 1995 to 2004, including government payments, and come up with an average value per acre.

I don't think Carver High School will be closed next year. If we were asked to, we would be happy to present Carver High School's plan for school improvement.