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BES gets grant from Kroger
0413 Kroger-Blandford
Kroger awarded Blandford Elementary School a grant of $1,500 for the companys Active! Mind, Body Community initiative. From left to right are Blandfords Dr. Jennifer Kippert, Annette Hinman of Kroger and BES Principal Karen Durkin. - photo by Photo provided

Each school year, Kroger selects a theme for its school grant program, Earning Plus Learning. This year, the theme was "Active! Mind, Body, Community." Schools may submit entries that include scrapbooks, photos, videos, essays or any other form that would show how they promote the theme.

Under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Kippert, first grade teacher, Blandford Elementary School has been the recipient of grants totaling $4,000. In 2010-11, Blandford was awarded the grand prize of $2,500 for its submission in the "Going Green" theme.  This year, Dr. Kippert’s submission was awarded the honorable mention prize of $1,500. She catalogued the ways Blandford students were staying active academically, physically and within our community. 

On April 11, Annette Hinman, area human resources director for Kroger, presented Dr. Kippert and Principal Karen Durkin with the $1,500 grant and a gift basket of healthy choice option snacks.

Effingham School Board Approves $203M budget with Potential Property Tax Increase
2026 budget
This chart illustrates how the Effingham County School District’s $203 million general fund is allocated for fiscal year 2026, including spending on salaries, benefits, transportation, health services, and safety and security. (Courtesy of Effingham School District)
The Effingham County Board of Education approved a $203 million fiscal year 2026 budget Thursday night, reflecting an 11% increase over last year. The rise is largely due to an $8 million spike in health and retirement benefit costs for employees. To help cover the shortfall, the district may raise the property tax millage rate, potentially increasing homeowners’ taxes by up to 12 percent.
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