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Schools expand driver's ed program
New Drivers Ed car
SEHS driver’s ed student Tommy Diego prepares to take the wheel in the school’s new Chevy Uplander. - photo by Photo provided

As part of a $274,400 state grant that the Effingham County School System received last fall, both local high schools have been able to expand their driver’s education programs. A portion of the grant money was used to purchase two new Chevrolet Uplander’s for use at each high school.

According to Roni Edenfield, instructional supervisor at South Effingham High School, the new van has allowed SEHS to add an additional teacher to the school’s driver’s education course offerings and to increase the number of students who will receive on-the-road driving experience as part of the course.  

In addition, adding the Chevy Uplander to the school’s driver’s ed program has aided both high schools in helping students meet the state’s teenage driving requirements which requires teenage drivers to have a certain number of supervised driving hours before they can attain their driver’s license.

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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