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See You At The Pole
SDC10018
SEMS observed the annual "See You At The Pole" event recently. - photo by Photo provided

“Converge” was the 2011 See You at the Pole theme held Sept. 28.  More than 70 students attended the event at South Effingham Middle School. Supported by students, friends, family, and staff members the SEMS SYATP Leadership Team hosted the event. The leadership committee provided free doughnuts and gave out See You at the Pole Bracelets provided by the SEMS Y-Club to all attendees.

See you at the Pole brings students to their school flagpoles to pray for their leaders, schools, and families, asking to bring moral and spiritual awakening to their campuses and countries. SYATP is a student-initiated and student-led movement that started in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1990. It originated with just one youth group, who met at night, at several schools in their area during a weeklong retreat.

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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