Bus Agency Raised Dallas ISD’s Costs by $2 Million to Pay Down Debt on Land Deal

KXAS-TV (NBC5) has discovered billing records that show the troubled agency which runs Dallas County public school busses stuck the Dallas Independent School District with a $2 million increase for bus service as it sought to pay down debt from a questionable land deal.The records show Dallas County Schools, the busing agency, raised the price of for "leasing expenses" related to busing Dallas ISD students from about $159,000 in 2015 to more than $2 million in 2016.That extra $2 million covered the yearly lease payments DCS now owes on lots where buses are kept - the same lots which KXAS previously reported were sold by the bus agency and then leased back from the new owner."And then they turn around and pass that expense on to us, without our approval? It's pretty appalling," said Dustin Marshall, Dallas ISD trustee.  Continue reading...