Area school officials said tag revenue checks from the Cherokee Nation are especially welcome during this year’s budget crunch.

More than $346,000 in tag revenue was distributed among 10 school districts in Wagoner and Muskogee counties during an educational summit Thursday afternoon. More than $2.7 million is being allocated to schools and programs throughout the Cherokee Nation. Contribution amounts were determined by a formula based on the number of students attending the school that are citizens of the Cherokee Nation, although the school districts are not restricted to using the contribution in a particular manner or for any particular students. The contribution formula was based on $127.54 per Cherokee student.

Assistant Fort Gibson School Superintendent Linda Clinkenbeard said the district needs the money “more than ever.”

“It’s going to help us continue purchasing instructional material essential to the classroom,” she said. “We really appreciate that the Cherokee Nation is continuing to do this. It may actually save us a position.”

Schools facing tight budgets have expressed concern that state budget cuts might affect personnel.

Fort Gibson Public Schools received $74,482 in tag revenue.

Muskogee Public Schools received $87,108 in revenue. Superintendent Mike Garde said the revenue will help the district sustain funding.

Wagoner School Superintendent Sonny Bates said the $46,041 that district received will “help seed a lot of programs we do not have funding for.”

He said funds will go for tutoring and remedial programs for summer.

Earlier, public schools in Cherokee County received a total of $367,182 in tag revenue.



Distribution of Cherokee tag revenue



Cherokee County

• Briggs: $31,757.04

• Grandview: $23,467.05

• Hulbert: $33,797.65

• Keys: $47,826.87

• Lowrey: $6,249.38

• Norwood: $8,417.53

• Peggs: $12,116.14

• Shady Grove: $9,820.45

• Tahlequah: $138,506.61

• Tenkiller: $21,553.97

• Woodall: $33,670.11

• Total: $367,182.80



Wagoner/Muskogee counties

• Braggs: $8,162.45

• Fort Gibson: $74,482.37

• Hilldale: $56,244.40

• Muskogee: $87,108.67

• Oklahoma School for the Blind: $1,275.39

• Okay: $14,794.44

• Porum: $15,432.14

• Wagoner: $46,041.33

• Warner: $28,823.66

• Webbers Falls: $13,646.60

• Total: $346,011.45



Cherokee Nation

Cherokee Nation Sequoyah High School: $100,500.19

Cherokee Nation Head Start: $83,665.13

Cherokee Nation Immersion: $12,498.75

Total: $196,664.07



Also

• Gore: $23,594.59

• Vian: $45,403.64



Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email