Although the school year has ended in Duquesne, Barbara McDonnell's juggling act has just begun.

Mrs. McDonnell, the community educational liaison for the Duquesne City School District, coordinates the assignment of students who will attend either West Mifflin or East Allegheny High Schools.

Duquesne High School closed in June 2007.

Tuesday night, the board of control unanimously approved a 2009-10 budget of $16,462,956 that includes roughly $2.2 million in tuition for students in grades nine through 12 who will transition to these schools under an arrangement created by the state Legislature.

Millage rate for property tax is 21.1; for at least the 10th consecutive year, officials held the line with no tax rate increase.

"Like all school districts in Pennsylvania, we have a budget based on preliminary figures given us by the state Department of Education," said Audrey Utley, chairman of the board of control.

Education is an area targeted for reduction in some state budget scenarios.

"If those numbers for some reason change, we would have to come back with a revised budget," Dr. Utley said.

The district's finances appear sound, boosted by a one-time influx of federal stimulus money in the neighborhood of $1.3 million. The general budget increased by 9 percent, mostly due to this stimulus funding.

The funds are earmarked for building and program improvements.

In addition, the Duquesne budget includes about a half-million dollars allotted for "Success For All," a districtwide school improvement program.

Mrs. McDonnell, a former principal in the Duquesne City schools, assumed her new title in spring 2008. Besides coordinating the transition of students at the two other area high schools, she deals with those attending alternative programs, such as Auberle or Holy Family institutes.

Last year, 134 students attended West Mifflin; 65 attended East Allegheny.

There are caps to the number of students who can attend either West Mifflin or East Allegheny, but so far in the two-year run, everyone has been able to attend the high school of their choice except for students failing to complete a selection card or those transferring into the districts during a school year.

Mrs. McDonnell said she didn't anticipate the upcoming year being any different, but said there was a certain amount of finesse to figuring out the best place for those recently completing eighth grade at Duquesne.

"We used to adopt West Mifflin policies, but now we have a central registration for all three districts," she said.

Using a PowerPoint presentation at the meeting, she noted that 14 of the 15 Duquesne seniors at East Allegheny this year graduated; at least eight will pursue higher education, and some were awarded scholarships. Two others transitioned from alternative programs.

In West Mifflin, all 31 seniors earned their diplomas and two transitioned back.

Several residents had questions about the process. One, who said he was trying to enroll his daughter at West Mifflin for next year out of a charter school in Pittsburgh, met with Mrs. McDonnell after the meeting.

Tuition for the upcoming year is a guessing game because often enrollment figures are not firm until the second week of school. Even so, Duquesne officials know they will pay $9,100.68 per student at East Allegheny and $9,060.25 at West Mifflin.

Last year, it was $8,811.20 and $9,960.25 respectively.

The recently passed budget allows for up to $2.2 million for tuition.

Communication, said Mrs. McDonnell, is a big part of her job description.

"Our kids in both districts have opened their doors to me," she said. "Any issues the children have had, be it academics or behavior, I've been called to be part of the meetings."