Unlike many school districts in the U. S. that are strapped for funding, schools in North Dakota have been receiving oil impact grants, and show ending-fund balances for 2012-2013 of $278.7 million statewide, according to bismarcktribune.com. Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, says the oil impact money could be put to better use than going to school districts that have large balances. “We’re seeing some of these districts sitting on a pile of money,” Nathe said. “I’m sorry but that’s just wrong.” He pointed out the Alexander Public School District, in west central N. Dakota, received $55,000 for modular homes for new teachers when it’s ending fund balance was just under $500,000. As MHProNews knows, the oil boom from the Bakken oil field in N. Dakota has blanketed the state with prosperity, an onrush of people flooding its borders seeking work, and severe housing shortages for workers and families often being met with manufactured and modular housing, including modular mancamps for the oil field workers.

(Photo credit: Andrea Johnson/minotdailynews–modular housing for students at Minot State University, Minot, North Dakota)