(Mt. Lebanon)

Classes resume: Aug. 30

Projected enrollment: 5,300

2010-11 budget: $79.4 million

Tax millage: 26.63

Tax change from 2009-10: Increase of 2.52 mills, or 10.45 percent

One mill brings in: $2,075,382

Median price of home in district: $187,000

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-2010: $3,998.09

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: $4,415.97

School district contact:

7 Horsman Drive, Pittsburgh 15228; 412-344-2000; www.mtlsd.org

District business manager/president of school board:

Director of Finance Janice Klein; Board President Edward Kubit

NEW FOR 2010-11 YEAR: New administrative changes include the appointment of Robert Freil as the new principal at Markham Elementary School due to the retirement of Robert Mallery. Jason Ramsey is the new assistant principal at Jefferson Middle School filling the vacancy due to Mr. Freil's appointment to Markham. Jeffrey Zeiders is the new social studies and family consumer science curriculum supervisor due to the retirement of Stephen Bullick.

Installation was completed on June 20 on a new turf field at the high school stadium.

Planning continues for the high school renovation project with groundbreaking anticipated in early 2011.

New this year is a policy in which students may be restricted from participating in school activities for a prescribed period of time for drug and/or alcohol violations that are confirmed to have occurred off-campus or at non-school related events.

(Peters)

Classes resume: Aug. 30

Projected enrollment: 4,442

2010-11 budget: $46.8 million

Tax millage: 95.18

Tax change from 2009-10: Increase of 2.68 mills, or 2.9 percent

One mill brings in: $311,000

Median price of home in district: $250,000

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-10: $2,500

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: $2,572

School district contact: 631 East McMurray Road, McMurray 15317; 724-941-6251; www.ptsd.k12.pa.us

District business manager/president of school board: Business Manager Daniel Solomon/Board President Diane Ritter

NEW FOR 2010-11 YEAR: The district changes include updated math and an updated Business, Computer and Information Technology curriculum; new door access systems to increase security; and minor construction projects, like new roofs and traffic turn-arounds to improve parking/access to buildings.

At Bower Hill Elementary, Christopher Shute is the new assistant principal. At Pleasant Valley Elementary, Michael Fisher is the new principal.

At the middle school, Robert Freado is the new principal, having moved from McMurray Elementary.

Mary Monsour, who was the middle school principal, is now in the central office as the director of staff development and instructional technology integrator.

(Monongahela, Donora, New Eagle, Finleyville, Carroll, Union, Nottingham)

Classes resume: Aug. 26

Projected enrollment: 3,100

2010-11 budget: $39.8 million

Tax millage: 120

Tax change from 2009-10: Increase of 3 mills, or 2.5 percent

One mill brings in: $125,000

Median price of home in district: $50,000

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-10: $955.89

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: $980.40

School district contact: 400 Main St., New Eagle, 15067; 724-258-9329; www.ringgold.org

District business manager/president of school board: Director of Operations and Financial Services Randall Skrinjorich/

Board President Denise Kuhn

NEW FOR 2010-11 YEAR: This year, grades 6-12 will have their own cyber school for alternative education and traditional students. The district is hoping the new school will draw students back to the district who left for other cyber schools.

A new initiative to increase writing skills from grades K-12 will be on an online writing portfolio.

The district is presently constructing a Ringgold Elementary South from the former Carroll Middle School at a cost of $17.2 million.

When completed a year from now, the district will open the new elementary school and close Donora and Monongahela elementary centers.

At that point, the district will have Gastonville Elementary School and Ringgold Elementary South as its only elementary schools.

Its other schools are Ringgold Middle School and Ringgold High School.

The board will eventually have to make a decision about building a new middle school.

(Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln, Port Vue)

Classes resume: Aug. 26

Projected enrollment: 1,602

2010-11 budget: $21.5 million

Tax millage: 18.11

Tax change from 2009-10: None

One mill brings in: $273,000

Median price of home in district: $53,800

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-10: $974.32

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: Same

School district contact: 2743 Washington Blvd., McKeesport, 15133; 412-675-3070; www.southallegheny.org

District business manager/president of school board: Business Manager Sharon Miller/Board President Luke Riley

NEW FOR 2010-11 YEAR: Wayne P. Gdovic, the acting superintendent for the past year, is the district's new superintendent. Richard M. Fine is the new assistant superintendent after one year as the acting assistant superintendent.

Otto Graf, co-director of the National Principals Initiative and a program director for the Educational Leadership Initiative at the University of Pittsburgh, was hired as a consultant to provide professional development and best practices to the staff, with a focus at the secondary level.

For the first time in ten years, the district produced a 12-month activities calendar and directory that was mailed to all residences.

District-wide, 80 percent of the classrooms are now equipped with a whiteboard and a projector, up from 60 percent at the end of the last school year.

The district created a Facebook page (South Allegheny Gladiators) for dissemination of up-to-date school information.

(South Fayette)

Classes resume: Aug. 23

Projected enrollment: 2,536

2010-11 budget: $32.9 million

Tax millage: 24.88

Tax change from 2009-10: Increase of 0.84 mills, or 3.5 percent

One mill brings in: $835,000

Median price of home in district: $114,000

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-10: $2,741

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: $2,836

School district contact: 3680 Old Oakdale Road, McDonald, 15057; 412-221-4542; www.southfayette.org

District business manager/president of school board: Director of Finance Brian Tony/Board President William Newcomer

NEW FOR 2010-11 YEAR: The district was recently awarded a $12,000 STEAM grant from the Grable Foundation to integrate arts and technology across academic disciplines. To apply classroom instruction to real-world application, the proposed projects will focus on grades 7-12 and will be implemented through the science and technology departments.

The programs within this project will include a mentoring component, with junior and senior students mentoring younger middle and high school students. Professional development for faculty and student teams, with emphases on gender and equity recruitment and access to opportunity, are additional project components.

The middle school has become a member of the worldwide network of UNESCO Associated Schools, one of the largest school networks working under the auspices of the United Nations toward international understanding. The middle school will engage in projects that share innovative teaching and learning activities with students and teachers the world over.

(South Park)

Classes resume: Aug. 30

Projected enrollment: 2,132

2010-11 budget: $28 million

Tax millage: 25.99

Tax change from 2009-10: None

One mill brings in: $585,655

Median price of home in district: $98,700

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-10: $2,565

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: Same

School district contact: 2005 Eagle Ridge Road, South Park, 15129; 412-655-3111; www.edline.net/pages/South_Park_School_District

District business manager/president of school board: Business Manager Edward Gannis/Board President John Innocenti

NEW FOR 2010-11 YEAR: Jeanine Gregory is the acting superintendent, replacing Rich Bucchianeri, who retired on June 30. Ms. Gregory was the assistant superintendent.

As 22 teachers retired in June, the district is beginning the new year with 21 new staff members. The assistant principal at the elementary center has decided to return to the classroom and is taking the 22nd position.

The district partnered with the federally funded Mid-Atlantic Regional Education Laboratory to provide research-based professional development to its staff over the year. South Park will be the first district with which the research group has partnered to provide this training.

The district is expanding its autism program to begin an autistic classroom at the middle school. The district also renovated 13 classrooms and the large group instruction room in the middle school besides adding an outdoor classroom.

The district will be moving to online report cards this year.

Families who do not have access to a computer will be able to receive hard copies of report cards.

Lunch prices remain the same as last year.

(Munhall, Homestead, West Homestead)

Classes resume: Aug. 26

Projected enrollment: 1,820

2010-11 budget: $27.6 million

Tax millage: 24.07

Tax change from 2009-10: Increase of 2.86 mills, or 13.48 percent

One mill brings in: $664,000

Median price of home in district: $64,600

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-2010: $1,555

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: $1,740

School district contact: 220 E. Oliver Road, Munhall 15120; 412-464-3600; www.svsd.k12.pa.us

District business manager/president of school board: Business Manager Mark Cherpak/Board President Beth Cannon

NEW FOR 2010-11 SCHOOL YEAR: A new gymnasium and seven rooms were built as an addition to Barrett Elementary School.

A freshman initiative is aimed at providing ninth-graders with the skills to meet high school expectations. Students will follow a rotation in the elective areas and will have a class in careers and computer literacy to assure their success as lifelong learners.

Successful completion of AP calculus and physics classes, and probability and statistics, will earn high school students college credit. The classes will be taught by district teachers.

Physical education electives for grades 10 to 12 include advanced aquatics, strength training, advanced fitness and more.

The new band director is Kristin Gregory.

There are new computer labs at Barrett and Park elementary schools.

There is a new social studies curriculum and textbooks for grades 4 and 5, and a new mathematics curriculum for grades 1 to 5.

(Canton, South Strabane, North Franklin, Amwell)

Classes resume: Aug. 30

Projected enrollment: 3,500

2010-11 budget: $46 million

Tax millage: 103

Tax change from 2009-10: None

One mill brings in: $210,000

Median price of home in district: $44,096

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-10: $1,135

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: Same

School district contact: 231 Park Ave., Washington 15301; 724-223-2000; trinitypride.k12.pa.us

District business manager/president of school board: Director of Fiscal Services Jim Shargots/ Board President Thomas

A. Bodnovich

NEW FOR 2010-11 YEAR: A data warehouse that will allow teachers and administrators access to updated student achievement information from their desktop computers is being implemented. It will allow teachers to modify their instruction to meet students' needs in a timely manner.

Every classroom will be equipped with a technology package that includes an interactive whiteboard, projector and laptop.

All students taking AP courses will be required to take the AP exam. The district will also be exploring expansion of the AP program.

The middle school will pilot pre-AP courses in English and social studies.

All elementary students will receive dedicated instruction in technology. The elementary buildings will also be introducing flexible grouping in grade-3 mathematics to increase achievement and provide appropriate levels of challenges.

(Upper St. Clair)

Classes resume: Sept. 7

Projected enrollment: 4,024

2010-11 budget: $58.3 million

Tax millage: 23.77

Percentage of tax hike/decrease from 2009-10: Increase of 0.4 mills, or 1.7 percent

One mill brings in: $1,676,499

Median price of home in district: $183,000

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-10: $4,277

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: $4,350

School district contact: 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, 15241; 412-833-1600; www.uscsd.k12.pa.us

District business manager/president of school board: Director of Business and Finance Frosina Cordisco/Board President Amy Billerbeck

NEW FOR 2010-11 YEAR: The middle school renovation projects will continue through the school year. The addition at Boyce Middle School includes a nutrition center, theatre, expressive arts wing and additional classrooms.

A new academic wing and the renovation of the gym to a nutrition center have been completed at Fort Couch Middle School. An open house to visit the new additions and renovated areas will be held on Sept. 25.

Curriculum change highlights: In grades K-12, adopt the Rubicon Atlas curriculum management system; redesign the technology curriculum framework; and pilot VizZle software for special-needs students.

High school level: Offer multiple delivery options for systems application course; expand the American law and justice course to include 11th graders; refinements to English curriculum.

Middle school level: 21st Century Learning pilot; pilot enVision math program in 5th grade; pilot a cognitive tutor Algebra I course for 8th grade.

Elementary level: Pilot enVision and Investigations math programs; pilot Blended Schools within SWEP II (gifted program); refinements in 6 + 1 Traits of Writing curriculum.

(West Elizabeth, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills)

Classes resume: Aug. 30

Projected enrollment: 2,950

2010-11 budget: $37.5 million

Tax millage: 21.08

Percentage of tax hike/decrease from 2009-10: None

One mill brings in: About $1 million

Median price of home in district: $107,900

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-10: $2,274.53

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: Same

School district contact: 835 Old Clairton Road, Jefferson Hills, 15025; 412-655-8450; www.wjhsd.net

District business manager/president of school board: Business Manager Joseph Zupan/Board President Deborah Pozycki

NEW FOR 2010-11 YEAR: The district will be implementing the Jaguars Virtual Academy for grades 9-12 and housed at the high school (TJHS). By having students wishing to attend cyber school attend JVA, they will be more in the mainstream of the flow of TJHS and will be able to graduate from there. JVA is also for students requiring homebound instruction for credit recovery, and for alternative education students.

AlertNow, a rapid communication system, will replace the School2Phone system by mid-October. The district anticipates using the system to notify parents of school delays or cancellations due to inclement weather, as well as to remind about events such as open houses. Messages can be delivered via a phone call, email and SMS text messaging.

"It's a Great Year for Hockey" will be the focus of the middle school's school-wide unit for the upcoming year. The theme was chosen to coincide with the opening of the new Consol Energy Center and Pittsburgh hosting the Winter Classic. Besides guest speakers and field trips, students will participate in fundraising to benefit the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

The district is implementing the 4Sight Benchmark Assessments to students in grades 3-10. The quarterly formative assessments in reading and math parallel the PSSA and will help teachers determine each child's strengths and weaknesses.

(West Mifflin, Whitaker)

Classes resume: Aug. 30

Projected enrollment: 3,200

2010-11 budget: $45.2 million

Tax millage: 22.99

Percentage of tax hike/decrease from 2009-10: None

One mill brings in: $960,000

Median price of home in district: $68,000

Average tax bill for a homeowner in 2009-10: $1,563.46

How much same homeowner will pay in 2010-11: Same

School district contact: 3000 Lebanon Church Road, Suite 300, West Mifflin, 15122; 412-466-9131; www.wmasd.org

District business manager/president of school board: Business Manager Dennis Cmar/Board President Michael Price

NEW FOR 2010-11 SCHOOL YEAR: The new administrators are Michael Sable, principal, sixth-grade middle school and the Early Childhood Education Center; and Noelle Haney, principal of Clara Barton and New England elementary schools.

The middle school is currently under construction at the high school site.

Regarding technology, the e-mail system was upgraded, and a grant was obtained to cover the cost of a technology integrator to assist teachers in incorporating technology into their everyday classroom instruction.

A new DIBELS test will be utilized to track student performance in the primary grades to assist in the district's Tier Program. The program allows for the continued strengthening of the baseline skills of young learners in reading through individualized and small group instruction.

Homeville Elementary School will celebrate "Back to Football Friday" on Sept. 10, a national celebration of the NFL and the United Way promoting health, wellness and physical activity. Students will participate in contests and engage in a football-themed curriculum, creative writing and more.