It's time to go back to school and districts in the South Hills are ready.

The 19 school districts here report new staff, curricula, building, security and technology upgrades for the 2008-09 school year.

Here are some highlights, along with key information about each district.

Note that student enrollment figures are still in flux. Also, budget-related figures are approximate; districts calculate tax bills differently. Not all districts could provide complete information. For details on a specific district, contact the business offices of the district.

Many districts talk about "Classrooms for the Future." This is a state program designed to incorporate technology into the classrooms.

Also, for students in Allegheny County schools, the county has instituted new immunization requirements. For more, visit www.county.allegheny.pa.us/news/2008/280728a.asp.

The district comprises Baldwin Borough, Baldwin Township, Whitehall,

Central office: 4900 Curry Road, Pittsburgh, 15236; 412-884-6300

Web site: www.bwschools.net

Superintendent: Lawrence C. Korchnak

First day: Sept. 8

Students: 4,155

Employees: 875; includes about 292 teachers

School buildings: 5; 1 high, 1 middle, 3 elementary

Budget: $58.3 million

Tax rate: 23.61 mills

One mill brings in $1.48 million.

Median income: $43,000

Average tax bill: $2,151

What's new: Rachel Gray started Aug. 1 as principal at Harrison Middle School. Thomas Foster also started on that date as director of operations in the district.

The district is doing a curriculum mapping process this year in all subject areas to increase rigor and content and to better align curriculum with state standards.

High school students will be moving into the new high school Sept. 8. The new athletic field and track will be completed before school starts. Whitehall Elementary steps will be under construction when school starts, and students will enter through an alternate entrance.

The district is examining measures to conserve energy, including consolidating bus routes and setting building temperature to 68 degrees in the winter and 75 degrees in the summer.

Recommended changes to the grading policy will be proposed this month. Under the recommendations, no more than 10 percent of a grade can be attributed to extra credit projects or classroom participation. Syllabi in every course would be provided to students and parents. The computation of quality point average would be changed to align with other districts and to maintain high standards in the classroom.

District comprises Bethel Park.

Central office: 301 Church Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102; 412-833-5000

Web site: www.bpsd.org

Superintendent: Thomas A. Knight

First day: Aug. 25

Students: About 5,000

Employees: 737; includes 402 professional staff

School buildings: 8; 1 high; 2 middle, 5 elementary

Budget: $67.76 million

Tax rate: 23.18 mills

One mill equals $1.8 million.

Median income: $53,791

Average tax bill: $2,708.58

New: Michael Brookie was hired as assistant principal at Neil Armstrong Middle School. New math curricula will be introduced in all grades. The district will pilot online courses at the high school, and will expand its dual enrollment program with Penn State University. All advanced placement curricula have been updated, and an AP macroeconomics course has been added. The curricula for English electives also have been updated.

District comprises Brentwood.

Central office: 3601 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, 15227; 412-881-2227

Web site: www.brentwoodpgh.k12.pa.us

Superintendent: Ronald W. Dufalla

First day: Aug. 25

Students: About 1,250

Employees: 158; includes 99 teachers

Buildings: 3; includes 1 junior/senior high, 2 elementary

Budget: $17.66 million

Tax rate: 28.27 mills

One mill equals about $335,000.

Median income: Unavailable

Average tax bill: Unavailable

New: The district is adding classes in the business education department at the high school. Elroy elementary will have 3 kindergarten classes over the usual 2, to allow for smaller classes. The district is in the process of renewing its accreditation with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a recipient of a "Classrooms for the Future" grant.

District comprises Carnegie, Crafton, Roslyn Farms.

Central office: 435 Kings Highway, Carnegie, PA 15106; 412-429-8400

Web site: www.carlynton.k12.pa.us

Superintendent: Michael A. Panza

First day: Aug. 25

Students: About 1,475

Employees: About 210; includes about 112 teachers

Buildings: 3; includes 1 junior/senior high, 2 elementary

Budget: $23.2 million

Tax rate: 24.15 mills

One mill brings in $525,000.

Median income: $52,805.

Average tax bill: $2,686

New: Christopher Very was hired as a principal at Carnegie Elementary. New music and language arts curricula will be implemented in all grades. Seniors will have a new required project in language arts. The district is a recipient of a "Classrooms for the Future" grant. Two snow days have been added to the school calendar.

District comprises Bridgeville Heidelberg, Collier and Scott.

Central office: 2030 Swallow Hill Road, Pittsburgh, 15220; 412-429-2201

Web site: www.cvsd.net

Superintendent: Anthony T. Skender Jr.

First day: Aug. 25

Students: About 3,500

Employees: About 540; includes about 263 teachers

Buildings: 4; 1 high, 1 middle, 1 intermediate, 1 primary

Budget: $46.53 million

Tax rate: 19.32 mills

One mill brings in $1.6 million.

Median income: Unavailable

Average tax bill: Unavailable

New: John Ackermann was hired as principal at the middle school. Yvonne Hawkins was hired as the director of curriculum. An advanced Spanish class was added at the high school. The high school also has a new driving and parking policy, which is available for review on the district Web site. Students will be taught keyboarding, Microsoft Excel in grades 6, 7 and 8, respectively. The district received a "Classrooms for the Future" grant.

District comprises Clairton.

Central office: 502 Mitchell Ave., Clairton, PA 15025; 412-233-7090

Web site: www.clairton.k12.pa.us

Superintendent: Lucille Abellonio

First day: Aug. 25

Students: About 870

Employees: 119; includes 80 teachers

Buildings: 1; Clairton Education Center serves grades K-12.

Budget: $13.3 million

Tax rate: 3.1 mills on buildings and 75 mills on property

One mill brings in $100,000.

Median income: Unavailable

Average tax bill: $300

New: Lucille Avellonio was hired as the superintendent. Elisabeth Ehrlich was hired as assistant superintendent. Deborah Marshall is the new middle school principal. Deborah Maurizio is the director of student achievement. Robert Sims was hired as a middle school guidance counselor. Jerome Wiggins was hired as the in-school suspension monitor. Two interns from the University of Pittsburgh will be employed in the school library. The library also was recently reorganized and new books were purchased.

Fifth-grade pupils will move to the first floor of the school building to keep elementary students separate from older students. New clubs will be introduced this year, including photography, chess, and Future Employees of America club.

New math text books will be used at the high school, and StoryTown, a Harcourt School Publishers' reading/language arts program, will be introduced in kindergarten, and grades 1-2.

New intervention programs will be introduced in the middle and high schools, designed to assist students who need help with reading and math.

Morning announcements will be broadcast over televisions in every classroom.

District comprises Duquesne.

Central office: 300 Kennedy Ave., Duquesne, PA 15110; 412-466-9600.

Web site: None

Superintendent of Record: Donna Durno; Cheryl Fogarty, Director of AIU ESS division & special liaison to Duquesne. The Allegheny Intermediate Unit continues to manage the K-8 program,

First day: Aug. 25

Students: 520

Employees: 81; includes 47 teachers

School buildings: 1; Duquesne Education Center, serves grades K-8; high school students attend either West Mifflin Area or East Allegheny high schools.

Budget: $15.07 million

Tax rate: 21.1 mills

One mill brings in $93,000.

Average household income: $25,898

Average tax bill: $450

New: Davaun Barnett was hired as a principal. Sharon McIntosh was hired as an assistant principal.

The district has new curricula for reading, math and science in all grades.

A new grading system has been adopted. To achieve an A, students must receive 90 to 100 percent; a B, between 80 and 89 percent; a C, 70 to 79 percent; a D, between 60 and 69 percent; and below 59 percent is a failing grade.

A new daily bell schedule will be implemented. Students must be in the school building by 8:05 a.m. or they will be marked tardy.

A new discipline code, intended to be clearer and increase student accountability, has been enacted. Copies will be provided to students and parents.

Extra curricular activities, including boys' and girls' basketball, football and volleyball have been added.

A faculty advisory committee has been formed. The committee will serve as the voice of the faculty and will meet regularly with the administration.

The district is expanding the student council program and is planning to add art, music and consumer science classes.

District comprises Elizabeth Borough, Elizabeth Township and Forward.

Central office: 401 Rock Run Road, Elizabeth Township, PA 15037; 412-896-2300

Web site: www.efsd.net

Superintendent: Michael Latusek

First day: Aug. 25

Students: About 2,800

Employees: 348; includes 221 teachers

School buildings: 7; 1 high, 1 middle, 5 elementary

Budget: $32.82 million

Tax rate: 22.66 mills

One mill equals $645,900.

Median income: Unavailable

Average tax bill: $1,835

New: Two additional guidance counselors were hired, one in the middle school and one in the high school. The district is offering Chinese and Japanese via distance learning through Seton Hill University. The elementary science and social studies programs are new. There is a new soccer/football practice field at the high school. The district received a "Classrooms for the Future" grant.

District comprises Castle Shannon, Dormont and Green Tree.

Central office: 1000 Kelton Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15216; 412-571-6000

Web site: www.kosd.org

Superintendent: William Urbanek

First day: Aug. 25

Students: 2,223

Employees: 280; includes 185 teachers

School buildings: 5; 3 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high

Budget: $35.1 million

Tax rate: 21.31 mills

One mill brings in $964, 972.

Median income: $44,000

Average tax bill: $3,848

New: The district is increasing math periods from 5 to 8 for students in the grade 6, and is adding two study halls with math teachers. The change was made to improve student performance. "We believe that our curriculum is very good and that we just need to give our students more opportunities to focus on the concepts we're teaching," said Annette Todd, the middle school principal. The district Web site is being updated.

District comprises Dravosburg, Versailles, White Oak, McKeesport, and South Versailles.

Central office: Administration Center, 3590 O'Neil Blvd., McKeesport, PA 15132; 412-664-3600

Web site: www.mckasd.com

Superintendent: Shirley Gologski

First day: Aug. 22

Students: About 4,200

Employees: About 555; includes about 340 teachers

School buildings; 7; 1 high, 1 middle, 2 intermediate, 3 elementary

Budget: $58.16 million

Tax rate: 17.71 mills

One mill brings in $730,380.

Median income: Unavailable

Average tax bill: $848

New: The district hired 18 teachers and increased its graduation requirements. Enhanced reading and math standards-based curricula will be introduced this year. Front office and auditorium at the high school have been renovated.

District comprises Mt. Lebanon.

Central office: 7 Horsman Drive, Pittsburgh, 15228; 412-344-2000

Web site: www.mtlsd.org

Superintendent: John R. Allison

First day: Aug. 25

Students: 5,353

Employees: 744; includes 442 teachers

School buildings: 10; 1 high, 2 middle, 7 elementary

Budget: $72.37 million

Tax rate: 23.81 mills

One mill equals $2,041,422.

Median income: $60,783

Average tax bill: Unavailable

New: The district is in early investigative stages of its high school renovation project, working to determine the scope of the project. It is in its final phase of implementing a new elementary math curriculum.

District comprises Peters.

Central office: 631 E. McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317; 724-941-6251

Web site: www.ptsd.k12.pa.us

Superintendent: Nina Zetty

First day: Aug. 27

Students: About 4,400

Employees: 505; includes 282 teachers

School buildings: 5; 1 high, 2 middle; 2 elementary

Budget: $45.4 million

Tax rate: 89.5 mills (Washington County uses a different tax calculation than Allegheny County)

One mill brings in $293,000.

Average income: $110,000

Average tax bill: $2,700

New: Nina Zetty was hired as superintendent. The high school will offer robotics in the technology education program, and has launched a medical mentoring program. High school students interested in pursuing a career in the medical field will be able partner with a local professional and spend more than 70 hours learning first-hand about that career.

District comprises Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln and Port Vue.

Central office: 2743 Washington Blvd., McKeesport, PA 15133; 412-675-3070.

Web site: www.southallegheny.org

Superintendent: Elaine M. Brown

First day: Aug. 25

Students: 1,656

Employees: about 175; includes 130 teachers

School buildings: 3; 1 high/middle, 2 elementary

Budget: $21.63 million

Tax rate: 18.11 mills

One mill brings in $273,600

Median income: about $35,000

Average tax bill: $761

New: Amy Larcinese was hired as the assistant principal for the elementary schools. Stephen Hope was hired as an elementary guidance counselor. Lisa Duval is the dean of students at the secondary level. Laura Thompson was hired as a public relations coordinator.

The elementary schools will be piloting math and social studies programs. A peer-mentoring program, underwritten with a grant from the Consortium for Public Education, will be implemented in the middle schools. The program, called "Believe," matches teachers and students in grade 8 with seventh-graders to help seventh-graders in the transition to a new school environment. A new security system will be implemented at the Early Childhood Center. The high school received a "Classrooms for the Future" grant.

The district will incorporate more inclusive programming, designed to have special education teachers working with mainstream teachers.

District comprises South Fayette.

Central office: 3680 Old Oakdale Road, McDonald, PA 15057; 412-221-4542

Web site: www.southfayette.org

Superintendent: Linda B. Hippert

First day: Aug. 25

Students: 2,228

Employees: 327; includes 154 teachers

School buildings: 3; 1 high, 1 middle, 1 elementary

Budget: $30.67 million

Tax rate: 24.04 mills

One mill brings in $830,000.

Median income: Unavailable

Average tax bill: Unavailable

New: The district has added a high school courses on leadership and one on statistics and probability.

In fifth-grade, a technology education class called "Motion, how things work," was added. Fifth-graders can also take a visual arts elective, and eighth-graders can take a public speaking course.

The district is beginning a school-within-a-school in the elementary school. Laurie Gray will be the principal for grades K through 2, and Denise Beverina Moore will be the principal for grades 3 and 4.

This change was made to allow for more personal attention. The school has more than 900 students, said Linda Hippert, the superintendent. Also, Ms. Hippert said, since the student population is expanding, the district expects to build a new school or add to the existing school in the future. At the time of physical expansion, student curricula would already be designed for grades 3, 4 and 5 to operate separately.

Third-grade teachers will be trained in the use of technology as a teaching tool.

District comprises South Park.

Central office: 2005 Eagle Ridge Road, South Park, PA 15129; 412-655-3111

Web site: www.sparksd.org

Superintendent: Richard Bucchianeri

First day: Aug. 25

Students: 2,236

Employees: 235; includes 150 teachers

School buildings: 3; 1 high, 1 middle, 1 elementary

Budget: $28.27 million

Tax rate: 25.98 mills

One mill brings in: $570,000.

Median income: $51,000

Average tax bill: $2,832

New: The district is updating language arts curricula in grades K through 5. Substitute teachers will now be called using an automatic system. Nutrition Group has been hired to run cafeteria services previously managed by the district. Students are expected to have more choices and healthier food, such as wraps. Also, the district intends to implement a point-of- sale system in which students can deposit money into an account.

"Project Lead the Way" will be introduced in all high school grades. This program seeks to teach engineering skills to technical education students.

A block schedule will be implemented in middle school for reading and math, allowing students to have more time in these core areas.

District comprises Homestead, Munhall and West Homestead.

Central office: 220 E. Oliver Road, Munhall, PA 15120; 412-464-3600

Web site: www.svsd.k12.pa.us

Superintendent: William H. Kinavey

First day: Aug. 28

Students: About 1,900

Employees: about 260; includes 166 teachers

School buildings: 5; 1 high, 1 middle, 3 elementary

Budget: $27.9 million

Tax rate: 21.21 mills

One mill brings in $500,000.

Median income: Unavailable

Average tax bill: $882

New: The EdLine software system. Student assignments and grades will be available to parents for the first progress report. This will apply to grades 6-12. Further specifics about the program will be disclosed during the school year. The district is continuing with phase 1 of a plan that will implement a districtwide camera security system to monitor student traffic and public activity in all buildings. The district has added a computer network infrastructure throughout. This will allow the administration, students and employees to have better response time in educational software programs and applications. A job search is under way for a principal for Park Elementary. The cost for breakfasts and lunches in the district is up 25 cents. A breakfast is $1 at the elementary and secondary schools. Lunches at the elementary schools are $1.75. Lunches at the secondary schools are $2. Ala Carte prices have also gone up.

District comprises Upper St. Clair.

Central office: 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241; 412-833-1600

Web site: www.uscsd.k12.pa.us

Superintendent: Patrick T. O'Toole

First day: Aug. 26

Students: About 4,070

Employees: 530; includes 285 teachers

School buildings: 6; 1 high, 2 middle, 3 elementary

Budget: $55.24 million

Tax rate: 22.45 mills

One equals $1.6 million.

Median income: $100,976

Average tax bill: $4,099

New: Lee Schafer was hired as director of transportation.

Starting and ending times have changed at the middle schools. Band and orchestra rehearsals will be at 7:45 a.m. Arrival time will be 8:30 a.m. Homeroom will be 8:35 a.m., and dismissal will be at 3:15 p.m. Plans for middle school renovations continue.

District comprises Jefferson, Pleasant Hills and West Elizabeth.

Central office: West Jefferson Hills School District Administration Bldg., 835 Old Clairton Road, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025; 412-655-8450

Web site: www.wjhsd.net

Superintendent: Terry Kinavey

First day: Aug. 26

Students: 2,876

Employees: 309; includes 182 teachers

School buildings: 5; includes 1 high; 1 middle; 3 elementary

Budget: $36.16 million

Tax rate: 21.08 mills

One mill brings in unavailable.

Median income: $62,000

Average tax bill: Unavailable

New: Metz & Associates will be the food service provider and will offer monthly and quarterly promotions featuring theme meals, giveaways, and wellness education programs.

The district will introduce a student information system, known as PowerSchool. This will allow teachers to post grades, assignments, attendance and other data online and will allow parents to have immediate access to this information. Also, a variety of new online and Internet-based applications will be used to support teaching. New curricula will include introduction to film criticism, PSSA preparation, management and marketing, retail management, and digital design.

District comprises West Mifflin and Whitaker boroughs.

Central office: West Mifflin Borough Building, 3000 Lebanon Church Road, Suite 300, West Mifflin, PA 15122; 412-466-9131

Web site: www.wmasd.org

Superintendent: Patrick A. Risha

First day: Aug. 25

Students: About 2,230

Employees: About 300; includes 216 teachers

School buildings: 7; 1 high, 1 middle; 5 elementary

Budget: $44.3 million

Tax rate: 22.292 mills

One mill brings in $1.04 million.

Median income: $35,000

Average tax bill: $1,295.26

New: The district is in the planning process of building a middle school on the high school campus. Planning may take approximately one year. The district is funding an additional preschool classroom for 4-year-olds. There are now four half-day classes for 4-year-olds and two half-day classes for 3-year-olds. An updated Web site will be put in place early in the year, and include interactive calendar, cafeteria account payments and expanded information.

There is a new math curriculum. In October, the district will be the first in the state to have a global positioning tracking system installed on all busses, with video surveillance. This system will enable monitoring of bus routes, drivers' habits, times and locations of all stops, and student and driver behavior. Two-hour delay dates have been adopted for additional, structured professional development time. Beginning Sept.17 and occurring on the last Wednesday of every month, students will start school two hours later.

The middle school teacher teams will meet daily to discuss curriculum, behavior and other student issues.