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JROTC instructors honored
0615 echs jrotc
Dawn Burgstiner (left) and Susan Smith (right) pin gold instructor badges on their husbands, Maj. (ret.) Danny L. Burgstiner and Master Sgt. (ret.) Donald Smith, respectively, at a ceremony honoring their accomplishments during the 2011-12 school year. - photo by Photo provided

DeleteMaj. (ret.) Danny L. Burgstiner and Master Sgt. (ret.) Donald Smith received gold instructor badges at a ceremony honoring their accomplishments during the 2011-12 school year.

The two Effingham County High School Air Force JROTC instructors were recently named by the Air Force as recipients of the Outstanding Instructor Award with Merit, representing the top 10 percent of all officer and NCO JROTC instructors worldwide. Their program also earned recognition by the Air Force as a Distinguished Unit with Merit for the second consecutive year, and for the sixth time in the last eight 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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