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ECHS class provides comfort items for soon-to-be mobilized battery
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Current issues is a new class at Effingham County High School. The class counts as an academic elective for those students who are pursuing a college prep diploma.

This nine weeks in Coach Matt Huntley’s first period current issues’ class, the students learned a lot about the importance and the good feeling of community service. The class adopted a community service project called “Shoeboxes for Soldiers.” The class collected shoeboxes and items to go into the shoeboxes from handheld games to footpowder and toothpaste.

The class made announcements and collected materials from other classes in the school. The class ended up with 116 shoeboxes that will be sent to soldiers who are being mobilized over the Christmas holiday.

The class delivered the 116 shoeboxes and presented them to the Effingham County National Guard Armory in Springfield.

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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