EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga () — Effingham County Schools Superintendent Yancy Ford is looking ahead to the future after numbers show growth is here and more is on the way.

Ford told that since 2020 the system has gained a little over 1,500 students, which is about 306 students a year. Despite the growth, Ford said overall they remain in good standing, with no major overcrowding.

“But, we also have some hot spots too, where you might have a grade level or one particular class that that may be one or two over or three over what we would call a maximum class size,” he said.

With the number of families expected to move into town, the district is planning ahead and making sure schools at least have enough flexibility in case of future surges to enrollment. Ford added that smaller class sizes are preferable.

“So, the smaller the classes are better for not only our students because they can get some more individualized instruction, but it’s better for our teachers because they have less students that they have to concentrate on,” Ford said.

That is why Creekside Elementary will be opening in the Fall of 2026.

“We will pull from different elementary schools,” Ford said. “So, when you redistrict, you can only pull from the boundary edges of the current district. That process will start looking at in the next month or so.”

By November, he hopes to start presentations to the board. Following that, he plans to speak with parents about redistricting, allowing opportunities to ask questions.

was told that, depending on growth, there will be add-ons to both high schools, increasing their capacity to 2,500 students. Ford also mentioned expansions at Ebenezer and Effingham County Middle Schools. The district owns land that could be home to another school.

“At some point in time that would be for that fourth middle school, Rincon Middle School,” said Ford.

He went on to say that the district continues to search for land that they can purchase for future schools.

After the recent event involving a student bringing a firearm to South Effingham High School, Ford told more metal detectors will be rolling out within the next seven to 10 days. Once the system is tweaked and polished, it will eventually roll down to middle and elementary schools.

Overall, Ford said growth can be unpredictable, but they have to stay ready for the unexpected.

“It all depends on how fast the growth happens and you know, we are committed if that’s what the growth calls for, then that’s what we’ll do.”