Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation dispersed more than $2.2 million to area schools at an education summit to be held at the Cherokee Nation Complex in Tahlequah.
School administrators from area schools recently gathered to receive checks for their schools from the proceeds of the sale of Cherokee Nation car tags. Front row from left to right: Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Carolyn Mahan, with Skiatook Public School, Buel Anglen, Tribal Councilman representing District 8, and Cal Johnson and Mary Briggs with Skiatook Public School. 
"I think it's wonderful," said Monte Madewell, superintendent of Warner Public Schools. "Especially under the funding cuts that we've had over the last few years."
The money is generated from the sale of Cherokee Nation car tags over the past year. Under Cherokee Nation law, the tribe gives schools within its jurisdictional area 38 percent of the revenue generated from the sale of Cherokee Nation car tags. The tag revenue only goes to schools whose district lines are within the Cherokee Nation's 14-county jurisdictional area because the Cherokee Nation only sells tags to its citizens who live within the jurisdictional boundary. This year's contribution to area schools is greater than last year's by more than $400,000.
"The car tag money is money that we hadn't really counted on and it's helped a lot," Madewell said. "We really appreciate it. I think the Cherokee Nation stepped up to the plate and put their money where their mouth is to help educate our children. I think every superintendent is very appreciative of that commitment."
"The Cherokee Nation has committed to sharing our car tag revenues with the public schools that educate our children," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. ""Education is very important to the Cherokee people. For a promising future, we need to develop leaders with vision and education is the gateway to visionary thinking."
"$2.2 million is substantial," said David Thornton, Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member from Sequoyah County. "That's $2.2 million that the schools would not have had otherwise. The schools and superintendents really appreciate it. This helps our people throughout the (Cherokee) Nation, but also touches the lives of others and helps everyone in the community."
"It will go to pay for salaries, materials and overall enhancement of the children's education," said Patricia Cox, superintendent of Gore Public Schools. "It's the nicest present that a school could possibly get. It's a real blessing to get this money from the Cherokee Nation."
"We're the only tribe that gives back part of our car tag revenues to public schools," said Phyllis Yargee, a public school teacher in Gore and Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member representing Sequoyah County. "I think that demonstrates we are still part of every community in the Cherokee Nation, and we want to work together with those communities to educate our children."
Education funding is distributed based on the number of Cherokee children in each school, with each school receiving $113.54 for each Cherokee student. The Cherokee Nation disbursed the $2,216,506.04 to public schools in the following eligible counties:
Adair County $283,378.19
Cherokee County $337,454.85
Craig County $96,285.93
Delaware County $233,788.53
Mayes County $216,416.20
Muskogee County $211,760.86
Nowata County $46,439.78
Ottawa County $43,828.24
Rogers County $247,186.82
Sequoyah County $233,107.28
Tulsa County $135,004.59
Wagoner County $40,876.09
Washington County $48,710.67
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |