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ECMS Model UN team earns distinguished delegation
0316 Model UN S. Africa
Emily Griner, representing South Africa, won the distinguished award. - photo by Photo provided

The Effingham County Middle School Model United Nations team earned the distinguished delegation award at the Coastal Georgia Model UN competition March 2 in Savannah.

The team placed third out of the 11 schools in attendance and Rebecca Button and Alyson Lowery, representing North Korea, received the outstanding delegation award, placing first out of the approximately 200 students in the General Assembly.

Receiving individual awards were:

In the Human Rights Council
Honorable mention: Egypt-Shelby Wilson
Distinguished:China-Michelle Gleaton

In the Organization of the Islamic Conference
Honorable mention: Pakistan-Cheyenne Hunt
Distinguished: Iraq-Carolyn Miller

In the African Union
Distinguished: South Africa-Justin Jackson

In the Security Council
Honorable mention: Mexico-Casie Wilson
Distinguished: China-Harris Cutcher

In the General Assembly
Honorable mention: China-Anslee Sewell and Kayla Brown

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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