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Superintendent reports construction, safety and student-support updates
Summary
Dr. Doug Ford briefed the Effingham County board on facilities progress — including a performing arts center design and a planned addition expected before Christmas — student supports, new buses and partnerships for social-emotional learning.
Dr. Doug Ford delivered the monthly board report, highlighting ongoing construction, safety work and student-support programs.
Ford said the district’s Honey Ridge Agri Center will host multiple upcoming events, including a Back to School Bash and a young farmer workshop, and that facilities work is advancing: masonry is going vertical at Creekside Elementary, roof membrane work at Springfield and Sand Hill is underway, and a performing arts center design is expected to be complete by December 2025.
“Performing Arts Center… Buckley and Associates are currently drawing this project at the moment. We expect those drawings to be fully completed by December 2025,” Ford said.
He said the district hopes to complete an addition (listed as a priority project) before Christmas so staff can move in after the break. Ford also updated the board on safety and transportation: open gates were installed at schools, the district has deployed flashing mobile signs at traffic hotspots to support enforcement under ‘Addie’s Law,’ and 18 new buses have been received with more expected.
Ford reported improvements in workplace safety metrics: workers’ compensation claims fell to 100 in FY25 from 133 the prior year. He also outlined student supports, including a social-emotional learning partnership with Effingham Health System and planned services from Curtis V. Cooper for three schools in mid-fall, and noted staff work on an enhanced preschool referral process tied to literacy initiatives.
Ford closed by recognizing staff and students for conferences and awards and said the district is continuing to monitor homelessness among students, working with community partners to identify needs and supports.
