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  • Rogers County school officials and members of the Cherokee Nation were on hand when funds were distributed Monday at the Hard Rock Casino in Catoosa. Mike McGregor, back row from left, superintendent, Foyil; David Garroutte, superintendent, Justus-Tiawah; Cindy Deitz, Native American coordinator, Oologah-Talala; Rick Kibbe, front row from left, superintendent, Catoosa; Michael McClaren, superintendent, Claremore; Hellen Henry, JOM coordinator, Sequoyah-Claremore; Mike Payne, superintendent, Verdigris; Richard McSpadden, superintendent, Chelsea; and Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilors Buel Anglen, from left, and Cara Cowan-Watts; Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker; Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Lee Keener.

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February 20, 2012

Rogers County schools receive $340K from Cherokee Nation

Staff Reports Claremore Progress

CATOOSA — Rogers County public schools received almost $340,000 Monday from the Cherokee Nation during the tribe's Public School Appreciation Day.

Cherokee Nation distributed $339,606.86 to public schools in Rogers County on Monday, Feb 20 at the tribe’s annual Public School Appreciation Day held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Catoosa.

"This money is your money," Principal Chief Bill John Baker said. "It almost brings tears to my eyes, knowing we're about to give about $3 million to schools that need it."

The funding is mandated by a Cherokee Nation law that requires 38 percent of tax revenues generated from the tribe’s car tag sales go to support public education. Since 2002, Cherokee Nation has distributed nearly $25 million to public schools in the tribe’s jurisdiction. This year, 95 school districts in northeastern Oklahoma will receive $2,995,638.59, more than $260,000 than last year.

“The Cherokee Nation Tax Commission is honored to be able contribute to all our students education,” said Sharon Swepston, Cherokee Nation Tax Commission administrator. “We are able to do this by a generous contribution that is received from our citizens who exercised their sovereignty by registering their vehicles with the Cherokee Nation. This revenue is reinvested in the education of our future leaders and community family.”

Education officials along with tribal leaders were on hand Monday to discuss current school issues and receive their schools’ appropriations. The amount of money the tribe awards to each school district is dependent on the number of its students who are citizens of the Cherokee Nation. For every Cherokee student enrolled in their district this year, school officials received $131.94. The money was divided according to the disbursement of 22,705 Cherokee students in the tribe’s jurisdiction. Schools are free to use the allocation as they see fit.

“We are thrilled to receive these much needed funds from the Cherokee Nation,” said Michael McClaren, Claremore Public Schools superintendent. “Time and again we are fortunate to be on the receiving end of generous contributions from the Cherokee Nation, which is a true partner in education for our community.”

Rogers County Public School Districts and Their Funding Amounts:

CATOOSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS                   $42,879.65

CHELSEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS                     $41,032.53

CLAREMORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS               $92,224.24

FOYIL PUBLIC SCHOOLS                           $22,165.48

INOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS                          $28,366.54

JUSTUS-TIAWAH PUBLIC SCHOOLS       $14,777.00

OOLOGAH-TALALA PUBLIC SCHOOLS  $34,435.66

SEQUOYAH PUBLIC SCHOOLS                 $43,143.53

VERDIGRIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS                   $20,582.23

 

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