The state of South Dakota is offering to help the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe build a temporary student dorm, Gov. Mike Rounds (R) said.

The tribe needs $2.2 million immediately in order to house students in a temporary building by August. But the Bureau of Indian Affairs won't know if it can release emergency funds for another two or three months, the Associated Press reported.

Meeting with tribal and school officials, Rounds said the state would provide the money if the BIA can't. He said the state would seek reimbursement from the BIA.

The student dormitory was destroyed in a fire last week. BIA officials have suggested it can be salvaged but Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota), who visited the school on Tuesday, and tribal officials have said that is not possible.

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) is visiting the school today.

Get the Story:
State to aid tribal school (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/5)
Officials seek funds to replace dorm (AP 5/5)

Relevant Links:
Crow Creek Tribal School - http://www.crowcreek.k12.sd.us

Related Stories:
Senator Tim Johnson: BIA school funding fight (5/4)
Thune calls Crow Creek Tribe school dorm a 'disaster' (5/4)
Crow Creek Tribe needs up to $40M for new schools (5/2)
Editorial: Where were feds when tribe needed help? (5/2)
Crow Creek Tribe needs $2.2M to replace dormitory (4/29)
Wind stirs up another fire at Crow Creek school (4/28)
Crow Creek Tribe to replace dorm destroyed by fire (4/27)
School employees describe rescue of girls from fire (4/26)
Girls saved from fire at Crow Creek school dorm (4/25)