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Tillotson, Crews earn work-based learning awards
SEHS WBL student of year
Kelsie Tillotson was named the 2014 South Effingham High School Work-Based Learning Student of the Year. With her is SEHS work-based learning coordinator Becky Truluck. Presenting the award is Travis NeSmith, principal of the Effingham College and Career Academy. - photo by Photo provided

Two students were recognized as 2014 Work-Based Students of the Year at the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Advisory Committees Meeting dinner held Oct. 7 at the Effingham College and Career Academy.

Kelsie Tillotson was named the 2014 Work-Based Learning Student of the Year for South Effingham High School. Tillotson graduated from South Effingham High School, completing the engineering pathway, and was in the work-based learning program as a youth apprentice from June 2012–July 2014. She was an employee of Gulfstream Aerospace and worked underneath Bob Farrell.

During her time at Gulfstream she earned three Mach awards and was also featured in the state CTAE newsletter. She is currently an engineering student at Georgia Southern University and hopes to continue with  Gulfstream when she graduates from college.

Dillon Crews was named the 2014 Work-Based Learning Student of the Year for Effingham County High School.  Dillon graduated from ECHS and had completed courses in the construction pathway and was a WBL intern from January 2013-June 2014. He was an employee at the Coastal Railroad Museum in Savannah and worked under the direction of Terry Koller.

While there, Crews did restoration work on a 1914 passenger railroad car, assisted with small metal repairs, was a fireman on a 1913 steam locomotive and performed the annual inspections of the steam locomotive.

Crews has continued his interest in trains and is currently employed by the Georgia Central Railway as a conductor moving freight cars from Savannah to Macon.

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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