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Where everyone is a champion
tunnel kid 1
Thien An Phan, 6, of Springfield Elementary, navigates the obstacle course with assistance from Whitney Richards, a junior at Effingham County High School, left, and Hillary White, an occupational therapist with Effingham County Schools - photo by Photo by Casey Stoddard

Students from each of Effingham’s eight elementary schools participated in the Special Olympics at South Effingham High School on Oct. 23. High School students from both local high schools who are on the medical track served as volunteers, alongside Effingham County Schools’ occupational therapists.  

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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