NEWS
Chatham CSD Receives Gift of Driver Education Vehicle
This summer, the Chatham Central School District received the donation of a 2000 Plymouth Breeze sedan for use in its newly expanded driver education program. The vehicle was the gift of Mackay’s Driving School in East Greenbush, whose owner, Peter Mackay, has been involved with Chatham’s program for many years.
The car will be operated by Chatham driver education students under the supervision of a certified driving instructor. It includes special features such as an additional passenger-side brake pedal for the instructor and markings alerting other drivers that the car is operated by a student driver.
Mackay said he donated the car to support Chatham’s driver education program, which recently expanded. In addition to a traditional summer program, Chatham now offers driver education during the school year through the District’s 
continuing education program. These afterschool sessions were first offered during the 2010-2011 school year and proved to be popular. Prior to Mackay’s donation, it was necessary for Chatham to lease a driver education vehicle in order to provide on-road instruction.
Mackay stressed the importance of learning safe driving practices, and said he hoped his gift will help prevent tragedies on the road. “If just one student is able to take what they learn in this car and use it to get themselves out of a serious driving situation, it will be worth it,” said Mackay.
For more information on Chatham’s driver education program, please visit our Driver's Education Webpage.