BERNE — The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education approved its 2009-10 tax rates for the seven towns served by the school district.

While there was no increase in the tax levy, tax rates from last year rose in some towns and fell in others based on state-set equalization rates:

— The tax rate for property owners in Berne is $27.62 per thousand of assessed value, up .13 percent from last year’s $27.58;

— In Westerlo, which has not been revalued in decades, the tax rate is $1,864.12 per thousand of assessed value, down 5.9 percent from $1,980.24;

— In Knox, $29.83 per thousand of assessed value, up 2.3 percent from $29.14;

— In New Scotland, $15.87 per thousand of assessed value, down 3.5 percent from $16.44;

— In Rensselaerville, $30.75 per thousand of assessed value, up 3.5 percent from $29.70;

— In Middleburgh, $22.60 per thousand of assessed value, down 6.4 percent from $24.13; and

— In Wright, $19.62 per thousand of assessed value, down 10.4 percent from $21.91.

One reason why residents may see an increase in their tax bill this year, despite the absence of a tax-levy increase, is the elimination of the School TAx Relief (STAR) rebate.

The Basic STAR, which exempts $30,000 from a home’s assessed value for any New York State resident who owns and lives in his or her home, will remain in place, as will the Enhanced STAR for those over 65, which exempts an additional amount.

But the Middle Class STAR Rebate program, which was enacted in 2006 to provide additional benefits to taxpayers on a sliding, income-based scale, has been discontinued.