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Parents getting their say on school year calendar
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Paul Floeckher
Updated: Oct 21, 2013, 10:59 PM
Published: Oct 21, 2013, 11:04 PM

Parents of Effingham County students can offer their opinion on which calendar the school system should adopt for the 2014-15 academic year.


School officials are considering three slightly different calendar options for 2014-15. The Effingham County Board of Education will take into account feedback from the community and school teachers and staff in making its decision.


Parents have until Nov. 8 to complete the online survey at www.effinghamschools.com. Survey takers are asked to select their top two calendar choices and provide comments.


“We’ve normally gone with the popular choice,” Superintendent Randy Shearouse said. “We want to know what people think, and we try to change the calendar each year based on what the comments are.”


The school year begins on a Monday (Aug. 4) on one calendar and a Thursday (Aug. 7) on the other two. The final day of class ranges from May 21 to May 27.


The main factor in determining the calendar starting and ending dates, Shearouse said, is the testing window for the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Test. Nine days must be set aside for the CRCT, and the state requires it to be given between March 30 and May 1.


“You hate to say it’s because of testing, but it is,” Shearouse said. “A main reason you start earlier, in August, is so you can get a lot of material covered before you have to give the CRCT. If you started at Labor Day, you could have five or six weeks of school left after the kids have taken the test.”

The CRCT testing window also impacts when spring break is scheduled. Two of the calendars have spring break March 28-April 5 (Easter Sunday), with students returning to class on April 6 and beginning the CRCT on April 14.


The other option is to begin spring break on Good Friday and continue through the week after Easter. Students would return on April 13 and begin the CRCT on April 15.


“What you run into there,” Shearouse said, “if you give them Good Friday and the week after, you don’t have but a couple days before they start the CRCT. A lot of teachers would rather have a week before starting the CRCT.”


The calendars have some other variations on breaks and holidays, such as how many days are in fall break or winter break and whether students are in school on Veterans Day or Memorial Day. However, all three options include a full week off for Thanksgiving and two weeks for Christmas.


Having a week-long break at Thanksgiving was a request the school district heard “over and over” from parents, Shearouse said. Another was for schools not to host open houses on Wednesday because it conflicts with church activities.


In response to that, open houses are scheduled on a Monday and Tuesday in two of the calendar options and Tuesday and Thursday in the other.


“We want folks to give their opinion and their comments,” Shearouse said. “It may not make a difference this year for next year’s calendar because we have the three choices, but we do look at that for future calendars.”

To share your opinion

Visit www.effinghamschools.com by Nov. 8 and complete the online survey. Select your top two calendar choices and provide comments.
Effingham Schools Propose Millage Rate Increase to Meet Growth Demands
Millage Rate
Updated: Sep 4, 2025, 1:01 PM
Published: Sep 4, 2025, 1:02 PM

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — Effingham County school leaders are proposing to raise the property tax rate to keep pace with rapid growth, maintain smaller class sizes, and attract and retain top teachers.

The Board of Education’s tentative plan would increase the millage rate from 16.5 to 18.45 mills. For a homeowner with a $350,000 house, the change would mean paying about $273 more a year, or roughly $22 per month.

The proposal will be discussed at three public hearings: Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Thursday, Sept. 18, at 6 p.m. at the district office, 405 North Ash Street in Springfield.

Why Increase Is Needed

District officials said the increase is necessary to cover rising costs and to remain competitive in attracting and retaining teachers and staff. More than 87% of the district’s budget goes to salaries and benefits for employees ranging from classroom teachers to bus drivers, nurses, counselors, paraprofessionals, and administrators.

Superintendent Yancy Ford said the adjustment is an investment in students’ futures. “Smaller class sizes, highly qualified teachers, and strong support staff are all proven to raise student achievement,” Ford said. “This millage rate increase allows us to continue building on our successes and to make sure every child in Effingham County has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”

Fiscal Accountability

While the rate itself would climb by about 11.5%, rising property values mean overall revenue collections would jump nearly 26%. The additional money, school leaders say, will help preserve Effingham’s strong academic record, which includes a 90.7% graduation rate, higher-than-average reading scores in elementary grades, and SAT results that top both state and national averages. The district also boasts a 91% teacher retention rate.

Finance Director Lauren Cain emphasized accountability in managing taxpayer funds. “Every dollar from this millage rate increase is an investment directly tied to student learning,” she said.

Effingham Schools also highlighted its strong fiscal management. The Georgia Department of Education recently awarded the district a 4.5 Financial Efficiency Star Rating, ranking it fourth out of 180 school systems statewide, underscoring the district’s commitment to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.