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Intellectual exercise
Randle wins spelling bee
Spelling bee students
The competitors wait for their turn. - photo by Photo by Sandi Van Orden

Will Randle, an eighth grade student at South Effingham Middle School, won the annual Effingham County Spelling Bee held at Marlow Elementary School on Friday.

The final two words to determine the winner were “genteel” and “intellectual.”

Emily Hendrix, an eighth grade student at Effingham County Middle School, was the runner up.

There were 17 students representing the eight elementary and three middle schools in the county with one student representing each elementary school, and one student representing each grade level from the three middle schools.

Randle will receive a trophy on awards day for his achievement.

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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