DAPHNE, Ala. — Sen. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, has donated his automatic pay increase to Daphne High School Principal Meredith Foster.

Keahey said he chose to donate his pay increase to local schools and educators rather than give it back to the state general fund, where it could be used to “give tax breaks to billion-dollar, out-of-state corporations.”

“Schools and educators need this money.  Giving it to them directly is the only way I can be sure that they will get it,” said Keahey.

Keahey said that each month he would randomly select a school from one of the school systems in his district and personally deliver the check to that school or educator.

Proceeding in alphabetical order, each month Keahey will choose a school from a different school system.

Keahey said he chooses the schools by drawing names out of a hat.  “It works like a raffle.  Every school has a chance of winning.”

The prize, ultimately, would be improving local education.

“I want to make sure this money is used to buy supplies for classrooms or to ease the financial burden on educators who have had their salary and benefits cut this year,” said Keahey.

“I’m proud to support educators like Principal Foster, and I am glad that this money is going to people who need it.”