The Effingham County School District (ECSD) Board of Education voted last night to officially reduce the district’s millage rate to 18.018 mills, delivering tax relief to local property owners while adopting the operational budget for Fiscal Year 2027. The board approved a reduction from the previous rate of 18.45 mills down to 18.018 mills, setting the final tax rate to the rollback rate.

"As a Board, we made a promise to our taxpayers that we would work to roll the millage rate back, and I am proud that we kept that promise. Our administration and staff worked diligently alongside the Board to review the budget, identify savings, and evaluate priorities. We recognize that every tax dollar matters to our families, and I am grateful for the hard work that made it possible to balance the needs of our students while remaining responsible stewards of community funds." — Vickie Decker, Board Chair

"This rollback reflects our commitment to be responsible stewards to our taxpayers and offer meaningful tax relief. As additional revenue sources become available, we will continue to work to lower the millage rate as promised. We will continue to invest in quality instruction by investing in our teachers and staff and providing the needed resources for our students." — Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford

"Our team worked hard this budget cycle to pause, evaluate, and prioritize our district's financial commitments. Because of the strong growth in the tax digest, we were able to ensure our schools remain fully resourced while delivering a reduced millage rate to our community." — Lauren Cain, Director of Finance