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Spelling out a winner at SHES
Christian Hodges - champion
Staff Report
Updated: Jan 27, 2015, 8:20 PM
Published: Jan 27, 2015, 1:11 AM

Sand Hill Elementary School’s spelling bee went down to the “minute.”

Fifth-grader Christian Hodges won Sand Hill’s 2014-15 spelling bee. He correctly spelled “minute” as his final word.

Kameron Owsley was the runner-up.

All fourth- and fifth-grade students participated in spelling bees in their language arts classes, and the winners advanced to the school bee.

Other participants in the SHES spelling bee were Logan Cline, Collin Jackson, Heather Lee, Timothy Lewis, Zachery Mazzara, Trina Olive and Madison Smith.
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)
Updated: Jun 20, 2025, 1:18 PM
Published: Jun 20, 2025, 12:51 PM
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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