Tulsa County schools receives $227,490
TAHLEQUAH, Okla.—Checks totaling $3.2 million were distributed to 92 school districts Friday during the Cherokee Nation’s Public School Appreciation Day held at Sequoyah High School.
“This year the Cherokee Nation is making a record contribution to area schools. I believe that strongly supporting access to educational programs for our youth and future generations is the best investment we can ever make as a sovereign tribal government,” Chief Baker said. “When Cherokee citizens register their vehicles with the Cherokee Nation, we are making a commitment to the future of the Cherokee Nation – our sons, daughters and our grandkids.”
Each year since 2002, the tribe has allocated 38 percent of tax revenues from the sale of tribal car tags to area schools to spend how they best see fit. Funds are based on the number of Cherokee students enrolled in the school, but schools have full discretion on how to use those funds. Some schools have used the funding for staffing, technology, after-school programs and more, which benefit all students, even those who are not Cherokee. To date, the tribe has awarded nearly $30 million to northeast Oklahoma schools.
Rep. Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita, who also serves as the Cherokee Nation Chief of Staff, says school officials have struggled since the recession and Cherokee Nation funding is vital to many districts. Hoskin also serves on the Oklahoma House appropriations and budget committee.
“Over the last several years, public education has taken numerous financial hits because of the downturn in the economy and unfunded mandates that we, as a legislature, have placed on schools,” Hoskin said. “What we do at the Cherokee Nation, by providing additional funds, will benefit these schools greatly to best address the needs of their students.”
Photo Cutline: Front Row (L to R) Cherokee Nation Tribal Council members Lee Keener, Cara Cowan Watts, Collinsville Indian Education Director Janice Fields, Tribal Council members Buel Anglen and Julia Coates. Back Row (L to R) Owasso Indian Education Coordinator Joe Don Waters, Sperry Director of Instruction Brent Core, Cherokee Nation Tax Commissioner Steve Wilson, Principal Chief Bill John Baker, Tax Commissioners Jim Hummingbird and Chris Carter.
Cherokee Nation education services senior advisor Neil Morton also announced at the event that school districts may apply for additional funding through the Cherokee Nation. That funding can be used for robotics kits in classrooms, summer teacher training and support staff who will act as mentors in math and science classrooms.
The Cherokee Nation has recently expanded support for many high school students, including paying for high school juniors and seniors to take the ACT and expanding its college scholarships for Cherokee students who live beyond its traditional 14-county jurisdiction.
“I would say the money is critical to our operation and helps out tremendously,” said Owasso Public Schools Superintendent Clark Ogilvie. “With our state aid funds being cut almost $4.5 million over the last four years, any source of revenue that we can depend on is paramount. We have allocated the money in an equitable manner across the district. The Indian Education Program received a portion, as well as all 14 school sites, whose principals were given free rein to use the money any way they see fit to provide relief to their buildings. Sequestration will cost our district around $300,000 in lost funds, so that makes it even more critical for the Cherokee Nation money to continue to flow into our district.”
The Cherokee Nation awarded funds to school districts in the following counties:
Adair $311,000
Cherokee $650,000
Craig $110,000
Delaware $273,000
Mayes $318,000
Muskogee $313,000
Nowata $66,000
Ottawa $64,000
Rogers $368,000
Sequoyah $338,000
Tulsa $227,000
Wagoner $67,000
Washington $71,000
Osage $3,800
