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Teachers trying to stem dropout rates
0118 Drop Out Seminar
Professor Robert Canady discusses high school dropout prevention strategies at a recent workshop for Effingham County high school teachers and administrators. - photo by Photo provided
Effingham County high school teachers participated Jan. 3 in a workshop at the Effingham Career Academy presented by Robert Lynn Canady, professor emeritus, University of Virginia. The topic for the workshop was “Drop-Out Prevention and Grading Practices,” and was made possible by the school system’s Smaller Learning Communities federal grant.
 
Professor Canady will be returning Feb. 22 for half day presentations for middle and elementary school personnel to help them learn to identify at those levels the students who are at risk for dropping out and how to guide them in developing appropriate interventions for those students.  
 
In addition to serving as the former chair, Department of Leadership, Foundations and Policy Studies at the University of Virginia, Professor Canady has taught in grades 4-12 and has served as principal of elementary, middle and junior high schools in Tennessee and Kentucky. His major presentations have focused primarily on grading practices, active teaching strategies, implementing programs for at-risk students, and restructuring schools by using a variety of scheduling and instructional strategies.  
 
Canady has received numerous awards for outstanding teaching and service, has published over 25 articles in educational journals, has served as the general co-editor of seven books relative to teaching strategies designed for block schedules, and has co-authored five books including, “America’s School Dropout Crisis: Strategies for Prevention and Rescue.”

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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