The devastating April 17 explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. in West, Texas destroyed the intermediate, high school and parts of the middle school. The West Independent School District (ISD) received $2.75 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to purchase several modular classrooms that will temporarily serve as classrooms. Modular units for the science labs, the band hall, locker rooms and administrative offices should all arrive within two weeks, according to wacotrib.com. In terms of rebuilding the schools, FEMA offers two options, both related to Hurricane Sandy: Under the pre-Sandy method, there is no limit on the amount received, but there are restrictions on how it is spent; the post-Sandy method, MHProNews has learned, caps the spending but is less restrictive in how the funds are spent, and the money is received up front. The ISD hopes to have all new buildings by fall, 2015.

(Photo credit: Joe Bryksa/winnipegfreepress.com–modular classroom)