By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
School system ready for yet another chapter at old ECMS
1123 Old ECMS1
Crews and heavy equipment tear down part of the old Effingham County High School/Middle School as the nearly 60-year-old facility will find a new use for the school system. - photo by Photo by Calli Arnold
Demolition and renovations continue at the facility that housed Effingham County Middle School students less than two years ago and is being renovated to foster pre-kindergarten in fall of 2012.
 
The facelift will entail tearing down two wings, modifying two wings, re-roofing and turning would-be open areas into a playground, and a car pickup lane.
 
“(By reusing these spaces) we’re gonna kick the can on down the road in terms of when we need our next elementary school, which our goal there is to maximize that time,” said Dr. Slade Helmly, Effingham schools’ director of administrative services.
 
For the complete story, see Tuesday's edition of the Effingham Herald, our special county-wide edition. 
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.
Would you like to keep reading?
You have 1 free view remaining. Use your last view to read more.