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Title I schools recognized
Blandford
Effingham Superintendent Randy Shearouse congratulates Blandford Elementary Principal Harriett Snooks. BES was named a highest-performing Title I school. - photo by Photo by Paul Floeckher

The Effingham County Board of Education on Wednesday recognized four Title I schools for their designation by the Georgia Department of Education as 2013 “highest-performing” or “high-progress” Title I schools in Georgia.


Blandford and Rincon elementary schools earned “highest-performing” status, Effingham County Middle was named a “high-progress” school, and Marlow Elementary received both designations. Superintendent Randy Shearouse presented certificates from the state to representatives from the four schools.


A “highest-performing” school is among the five percent of Title I schools in the state that has the highest absolute performance over three years for the “all students” group on the statewide assessments. A highest-performing school must have made Adequate Yearly Progress in 2011.


A “high-progress” school is among the 10 percent of Title I schools in the state that is making the most progress in improving the performance of the “all students” group over three years on the statewide assessments.

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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