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Flag flown in Iraq finds a new home at Sand Hill Elementary
3.20 SHES
Emmeline Richards, along with Holly Jarrell, Principal Kristen Richards and Assistant Principal David Smith, presents a flag flown aboard a U.S. Army helicopter on two missions in Iraq to Jill Usher’s class at Sand Hill Elementary School. - photo by Photo by Sandi Van Orden

Emmeline Richards presented Jill Usher’s first grade class at Sand Hill Elementary School with a flag on behalf of Sgt. Jon-Erik Tucker, who is currently in Mosul, Iraq, with C Company, 1/10 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion. In January, two missions were flown with the flag.

Usher’s class adopted the soldier, making cards and collecting items for care packages. Richards coordinated the collection of items, shopping for supplemental items and shipping boxes.

Sand Hill Elementary has sponsored deployed soldiers for several years.

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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