Automobile dealer Gatton contributed $104,000 to area teachers
www.yahoo.com 2007-11-29
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Automobile dealer C.M. "Bill" Gatton contributed $104,000 to area teachers Tuesday, marking his continued support of education and the anniversary of his business.Money was distributed to teachers in six public and four private school systems in both Bristols, and Washington County in Virginia and in Tennessee; some Sullivan County, Tenn., schools; and the Johnson City school system.The gifts mark Gatton’s more than 40 years in business in the Twin City, and the gift breaks down to $45 per classroom teacher at 62 elementary, middle and high schools.
"Forty-five dollars is not a lot of money, but we wanted to recognize all the teachers in this area," Gatton said after a ceremony at his State Street dealership."My sister was a school teacher her whole career, and she always spent a lot of money out of her own pocket. Teachers continue to do that today, so we wanted to do something to benefit them and recognize them," he said.The money is most appreciated, said Vangie Montgomery, principal of Blountville Elementary School."This really helps because teachers are always asking for printer cartridges – which are so expensive – or office supplies we don’t get money for," Montgomery said. "This will help them better organize their classrooms."
Glenn Arwood, director of Sullivan County schools, accepted checks totaling nearly $23,000 for more than 500 teachers at schools in the East and Central districts."This certainly points out the fact that many teachers continue to take money out of their own pockets to buy for their students," Arwood said.
Bristol Virginia School Superintendent Doug Arnold accepted checks totalling $9,720 for his district’s 216 teachers."As far as I know, this is the first time someone has given money for each teacher," Arnold said. "We’re very grateful to Mr. Gatton and his organization for recognizing our teaching staff and honoring what they do."Other systems and amounts donated were: Bristol, Tenn., $13,815; Johnson City, $23,490; Washington County, Va., $5,985; Washington County, Tenn., $25,290; Tri-Cities Christian, Bristol campus, $315; Sullins Academy, $1,125; St. Anne’s Catholic School, $900; and Mountain Empire Baptist School, $585.Tuesday’s event was a one-time gift, Gatton said, adding that he might opt to do something similar in the future. The contributions are Gatton’s latest to education. Earlier this year, he contributed $1 million to help Virginia Intermont College officials raise money to keep the private, four-year school operating.
He provides annual scholarships to VI, King and Emory & Henry colleges and supported East Tennessee State University’s new pharmacy school.In his native Kentucky, Gatton helped establish one of 14 academies of math and science in Bowling Green and has donated millions of dollars to his alma mater, the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
(editors : jane)
