Cherokee Nation hands out money to eastern Oklahoma school districts

The Cherokee Nation is giving generously to schools in northeastern Oklahoma. <br><br>News on 6 anchor Terry Hood has details on how tribal license plates are helping support education. <br><br>Oklahoma

Friday, February 13th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Cherokee Nation is giving generously to schools in northeastern Oklahoma.

News on 6 anchor Terry Hood has details on how tribal license plates are helping support education.

Oklahoma educators have gotten used to seeing budgets shrink. School leaders received some extra cash Friday and it's actually more than they got last year. The Cherokee Nation donates 38% of its car tag sales to area schools.

With more than 42,000 plates on the road, the education share adds up to nearly $2-million. That's about $600,000 more than last year. The money is divided up based on the number of Cherokee children at each school. Hundreds of educators showed up Friday to receive some very welcome checks.

Tulsa Public Schools administrator Karen Rogers: "We're very pleased about that. Chief Chad Smith and the Cherokee Nation have been very generous to us in the past and we hope it continues. We're very grateful, very appreciative."

Cherokee Nation chief Chad Smith: "We hear everyday educators saying our budget is so strapped and they say everyday without this money they don't know what they'd do. So it's critical it's appreciated. We're delighted to do it."

Cherokee County got the largest award, more than $200,000.