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Effingham 2009 MLK Jr. contest winners
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Poster contest winners:  kindergarten-second grades    
First place  -  Briana Jackson, Blandford Elementary
Second place -    Alexis Dodd, Blandford Elementary
Third place - Amelia Sellars, South Effingham Elementary
Honorable mention - Stone Bennett, Blandford Elementary
 
Poster contest winners: Third-fifth grades         
First place   -    Denzel Walls, Springfield Elementary     
Second place  -    Nicole Basdeo, Blandford Elementary
Third place  -    Jada Hurst, Springfield Elementary     
Honorable mention - Grace Paulos, Blandford Elementary

Essay contest winners:  Sixth-eighth grades        
First place   -    Robin Smith, Effingham Middle        
Second place  -    Richard Walls, Ebenezer Middle    
Third place  -    Rakkia Smith, Ebenezer Middle
Honorable mention - Kendrick Rhakeem Owens, South Effingham Middle        

Essay Contest Winners:  Grades 9 -12      
First place   -    Jasmine Nethels, ECHS
Second place  -    Brandon Cody, SEHS
Third place  -    Kristin Padgett, SEHS
Honorable mention - Amber Monroe, SEHS
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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