Index Calculation Required by Special Session Act 1 of 2006 for 2010-2011 is 2.9%. Districts can increase property tax milage by that amount. Rendell likes to quote this number when claiming he has controlled increases in property taxes and given citizens a voice.
BUT the PDE also provides an adjusted index. This is the true amount boards can increase taxes. It is an increase of the Act 1 index that allows for local poverty. More poverty - the board gets a higher index.
The highest adjusted index for 2010-2011 is Reading's @ 4.7%. The Reading school board can increase millage by 4.7% not the published 2.9%.
In Allegheny County, of our 43 school districts only 11 are held to the Act 1 - 2.9%.
The highest permitted millage increases:
Duquesne at 4.6%,
Clairton - 4.5%,
McKeesport - 4.4%,
South Allegheny - 4.4%
Sto-Rox - 4.4%
East Allegheny - 4.2%
Elizabeth Forward - 4.2%
Highland 4.2%,
Brentwood - 4.1%,
Wilkinsburg boro - 4.1%
Northgate - 4%
Penn Hills - 4%
Plum Boro - 4%
South Park - 4%
Steel Valley - 4%
West Mifflin - 4%
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/proptax/lib/proptax/SSAct1_AdjIndexHistory_0607-1011.pdf