By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATE PROFILE: Troy Alford
Troy Alford
Troy Alford - photo by Photo submitted

 RINCON — Effingham County Board of Education Vice Chairman Troy Alford believes that team chemistry is a major reason that the Effingham County School District is a perennial winner.

“We are not individual board members,” said Alford, who is seeking his fifth opportunity to hold the board’s District 2 seat. “I think the description I would use is ‘a complete team.’”

Alford said that all the board members — including Chairman Lamar Allen, Lynn Anderson, Ben Johnson and Vickie Decker — communicate well and are united in purpose.

“Here’s what I love about these board members,” Alford said. “When we are done in the board room and executive session is done for the night, regardless of the votes that we had to provide, we have good friendships together. We don’t hang out together but we know that the people put us in these elected positions together and we work together as a team.”

Differences that arise don’t create permanent schisms, Alford said.

“For the most part, we try to be on the same page and agree to agree,” he said. “It doesn’t always work out that way but at the end of the evening when we go home we can rest assured that we have cast our votes for the kids of this county.

“That means a whole lot.”

In each of the past two years, the Effingham County Board of Education was a finalist for the Georgia School Boards Association Governance Team of the Year Award. Graduation rates and test scores figure in the competition.

“I know we are not going to satisfy everybody but I am so proud to be part of the board of education and an Effingham County resident,” Alford said. “People move here for our school system. I hear that all time.

“Without good leadership and a team like we have on the board, it won’t happen. You’ve got to work together for the betterment of the kids.”

According to Alford, the board has a good mix of members. He and Allen, the chairman, are the most of experienced, having served since 2004. Decker joined in 2008 and Anderson and Johnson are in their first terms.

Alford is proud of the improvements in student achievement since he won his first term. He has been vice chairman since 2006.

“I’ve seen some dramatic changes,” he said. 

The district’s graduation rate has increased from 77.1 percent to 90.5 percent.

“Let me tell you a statistic that really attracted me,” Alford said. “The students-with-disabilities subgroup (graduation rate)  in 2005-06 jumped was 29.7 percent. In 2018-19, it was up to 77.2 percent.

“I get emotional sometimes when I talk about it.”

Alford credited Superintendent Dr. Randy Shearouse, Superintendent-elect Dr. Yancy Ford and teachers for the increase. He called them “dynamic leaders.”

“We have the best set of people to take care of our children with disabilities that I have ever witnessed in my life,” he said.

Alford said the board appreciates its teachers and works diligently to support them. It starts each school year by spending a day cooking a meal for new teachers.

“We like to be involved,” he said. “We love cooking for our new teachers. We are blessed to be a team that can do that.

“We love to fellowship with our newcomers who are coming in to help educate our children. That’s pretty special.”

Alford said the district’s greatest challenge is accommodating enrollment growth. It currently has approximately 12,300 students, up from 10,800 when he was initially elected.

The board is currently search for land to build an elementary school in the next three years. Another middle school is needed in the next five years.

“There is work to be done and there always will be but I feel the best I have about the system in my 15 years (on the board),” Alford said.

Alford applauded Effingham College & Career Academy.

“It’s been a big asset with the STEM program,” he said. “I feel like it is giving our kids a better pathway to life. I feel strongly that we’ve come a long way with that.”

School safety in the district has been greatly enhanced by altering the entrances to several schools. Several resource officers have been added, too.

“Yes, we want our kids to be educated but — first things first — we want to keep them all safe,” he said.

Alford said a long-term district goal is to build an auditorium — possibly in conjunction with the Effingham County Board of Commissioners — that could be used for band concerts and other events. He thinks such a building would enhance educational opportunities for children and the quality of life for other residents.

Effingham County to Vote Tuesday on $60 Million Budget with Tax Rollback and Major Projects
Effingham budget

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. – Effingham County is proposing an 18% increase to its fiscal year 2026 budget, largely driven by infrastructure spending through sales taxes, while simultaneously rolling back its millage rate to ease the burden on taxpayers.

Effingham County Finance Director Mark Barnes presented the $9 million increase during the Board of Commissioners' first reading of the budget on June 3 — a discussion-only session with no vote taken. Despite the sharp budget growth from $51 million to $60 million, Barnes emphasized that the increase stems from planned capital investments, not operational spending, and that the general fund remains balanced with healthy reserves.

Next Steps

The budget will be up for further discussion and possible adoption at the next commissioners meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17 at the Effingham County Administrative Complex, 804 S. Laurel St., Springfield. The public is invited to attend.   

Key Takeaways 

Budget Growth and Capital Funding

  • The proposed 2026 budget increases by approximately $9 million (18%), primarily due to transfers to capital projects funded through SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) and TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) approved by voters.

  • About $7 million in fund balance reserves will be used to support major projects — part of a multi-year savings strategy.

  • Overall, $192 million is designated for capital projects, including $71 million for roads, $40 million for water treatment facilities and $17 million for parks.

  • Key capital projects include a new wastewater treatment plant at Low Ground Road and a water treatment plant near McCall Road. Extensive road improvements include the widening of Goshen and Old Augusta roads, six roundabouts and 60 miles of road resurfacing. Ongoing park upgrades include Phase 2 of the Clarence E. Morgan Complex.

  • Barnes noted that while the budget is larger, the increase reflects targeted, long-term investments, not expanded day-to-day operations.

General Fund and Fiscal Stability

  • The general fund supports core services like the sheriff’s office, emergency medical services, courts, and elections.

  • Even with fund balance usage, reserves remain above policy minimums — a sign of sound financial planning, Barnes said.

  • The general fund includes $8 million in transfers to capital project accounts, plus funds for employee raises and new hires.

Millage Rate and Tax Relief

  • County millage rate proposed to roll back by 3%, from 5.596 to 5.428.
    “Residents are actually paying less county taxes for their primary residence than they did five years ago,” Tim Callanan, Effingham County manager, said.

  • The rollback ensures homestead taxable values increase by no more than 3%, stabilizing tax bills for property owners.

  • 28% decrease in the millage rate over five years, outpacing the 14% reduction required to match assessed value growth.

Personnel and Staffing Investments

  • 18.47 new full-time equivalent positions proposed for 2026.

    • At least nine are public service employees, Including two school resource officers, six firefighters, and an additional employee for emergency management.

  • 7% increase in the general fund personnel budget, including:

    • 3% cost-of-living adjustment for each county employee

    • 2% for merit-based increases

  • Fire department to add six positions, converting a station from volunteer to full-time.

Organizational Efficiency and Department Changes

  • Creation of three new departments staffed by reassigned personnel:

    • Public Engagement Services

    • County Engineering Services

    • Customer Support Services

SPLOST, TSPLOST, and Community Buy-In

SPLOST and TSPLOST remain essential funding tools, reducing reliance on property taxes.
“Voters approving the special taxes is why we can do $192 million in capital improvements without raising property taxes,” Callanan said.