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ECMS students prepare for district science fair
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Derek Hendrix, Cassidy Blewett and Hunter Payton, front row, and Cameron Porter, Bryce Blewett and Cheyenne Hunt, back, are getting their projects ready for the district science fair. - photo by Photo by Sandi Van Orden

Effingham County Middle School students are preparing to compete in the District Science Fair at Armstrong University.

Bryce Blewett, eighth grade, Cassidy Blewett,  sixth grade, Derek Hendrix,  sixth grade, Hunter Payton, sixth grade, and Cameron Porter, seventh grade will continue. Cheyenne Hunt, seventh grade, is the alternate.

Students began working on their projects at the end of September.

Their projects included recycling water, alternative paper sources, house color and energy bills, which mulch maintains the most moisture, which turbine blade design creates the most energy and does the Debie Meyer Green Bag work.

The district competition will be in February.

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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