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Diploma is worth the wait
diploma 1
Korean War veteran Deke Davis receives his long-awaited high school diploma from Superintendent Randy Shearouse. - photo by Photo by Paul Floeckher
Six-and-a-half decades after what would have been his final year of high school, a local Korean War veteran received his diploma. The Effingham County Board of Education presented a Rincon High School diploma to Eathen “Deke” Davis, 81, whose Marine Corps Reserve unit was activated in 1950 as he was set to begin his senior year at RHS. He had just turned 17 years old at the time. “I’ve looked forward to this for years,” Davis said.
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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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