Spitzer Toyota Monroeville donates to Plum School District

Travelers along Elicker Road in Plum will know they’re in Mustang Country courtesy of a Monroeville car dealership.

Plum School District officials accepted a $21,500 donation from Spitzer Toyota Monroeville General Manager Robert Thomasson at Tuesday night’s meeting. The mustang is the district’s mascot.

Superintendent Brendan Hyland said funds would be used for signs at schools, including a “You’re in Mustang Country” message across the high school gymnasium exterior. The mustang on the side of the high school at 900 Elicker Road also will be replaced with the new district logo.

Thomasson said he and others at the business have no personal connection to the district, but just wanted to help.

“I just think Dr. (Brendan) Hyland is doing an amazing job with what he’s able to accomplish in his tenure,” Thomasson said. “It’s made a major impact in Plum. His overall philosophy, his caring of students and his dedication of his services. We give (superintendents) the opportunity to do projects that they can’t do outside of their traditional budget.”

The gift was also made possible through Toyota North America.

“They’re trying to give back to the community,” Hyland said. “It’s really refreshing in today’s day and age where it’s cutthroat all the time on a business level. These folks just want to give back, and they want to make our schools better. (Thomasson) has kids in another school district, so he recognizes the financial strains that schools have. I can’t say enough about them being good corporate citizens.”

Thomasson said Gateway and Franklin Regional school districts also will be given donations, but declined to say how much they would receive.

The proposed changes at Plum High School will have to go to the borough and its review process for signage.