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Rotary Club inducts Interact chapter at Ebenezer Middle
0318 EMS Interact induction
Newly-inducted Ebenezer Middle School Interact club members Skylar McGee, Cheyenne Taylor, Annsley Durden, Alexis Kopp and Destiney Grubbs are pictured with EMS teachers and club facilitators Jennifer Spitko and Christie Durden, Rotary Club of Effingham County members David Harris and Tom Matyjasik, and Julian Diaz Jr., the Rotary district chairman for Interact clubs. - photo by Photo provided

The Rotary Club of Effingham County recently inducted and chartered a new student Interact club at Ebenezer Middle School.

EMS Interact students Annsley Durden, Destiney Grubbs, Alexis Kopp, Skylar McGee and Cheyenne Taylor attended the induction ceremony at a recent Rotary club meeting. They were joined by EMS teachers and Interact club facilitators Jennifer Spitko and Christie Durden.

The students were presented a plaque by Julian Diaz Jr., the Rotary district chairman for Interact clubs.

The EMS Interact club volunteers monthly with the seniors at the Effingham Care Center, according to Spitko. Also, club members raised funds to give a teddy bear to every resident of the care center on Valentine’s Day. EMS Interact’s major project this year is raising money for school supplies for children in a school in Zimbabwe the club sponsors, Spitko said.

Interact also plans to hold a pet food and supply drive this spring and donate what they collect to the Effingham County Animal Shelter.

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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