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ECMS cheerleaders take crowns
0925 ecms cheerleaders
From left to right, first row, are: Sarah Winter, Cie Cea Villarreal, Brooke Nease, Camille Vernava and Taylor Smith; middle row, Peyton Gracen, Anna Snooks, Allison Hoch, Brooke Burns, Kirsten Jones, Hailey Brabham, Analeigh Casey, Selena Osborne and Jill Craig; top row, Emily Alexander, Megan Clemons, Coach Marti Smith, Kindall Strojny and Abby Freyermuth. - photo by Photo provided

The Effingham County Middle School competition cheerleaders took first place in the small middle school division and were named grand champions of the overall middle school division at the Georgia College and Jones County Greyhound Invitational.

Additionally, Camille Vernava, Cie Cea Villarreal, Selena Osborne, Megan Clemons and Kirsten Jones held off 17 other middle and high school teams to win the Longest Lib contest. They are coached by Marti Smith.

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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