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Effingham Academy class of 1953
10.03 class of 1953
Members of the Effingham Academy class of 1953 gathered for a reunion. - photo by Photo provided

The Effingham Academy class of 1953, the first class to graduate from 12 grades, celebrated with a dinner at the Clyo Homemakers’ Clubhouse on Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. Twenty-two people were in attendance. Ten of the original 20 classmates were present.

Pictured left to right are, front row: Carolyn (Shipes) Weaver, Dixie (Hinely) Zeigler, Barbara (Jaudon) Heath, Jan (Arnsdorff) Hanberry, Betty (Exley) Kicklighter and Lee Ellen (Tebeau) Hanberry; back row, Varnie Wilson, Earl Shearouse, Emory Thomas and Ellis Wilson.

Those absent were Ruth (Anderson) Ambrose, Helen (Phillips) Harrison, Claire Jaudon, Joan (Graham) Neidlinger, Emory Arnsdorff and Walter Gnann.

Deceased are Corley Edwards, Margaret Ann (Bridges) Ayers, Joseph Snooks and Wayne Shearouse.

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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