Dallas Bus Board Scrimps for Money, Votes to Investigate Where Finances Went Wrong

Voters will decide this fall whether the agency that runs Dallas school buses will survive, and the agency took steps Tuesday to try proving it is worthy.The bus service provider, which works with public school districts across the county, has faced mounting criticism after reports revealed business practices that cost the agency millions, such as a controversial stop-arm camera placed on buses and a questionable land deal. Law enforcement officials are looking into matters as well.On Tuesday the board approved nearly $90,000 for an independent forensic audit that will dig deeper into DCS business dealings and finances to pinpoint how the agency’s money troubles started and whether they stems from bad practices or criminal wrongdoing.“We’re in no position to be spending any kind of money right now but at the same time, you have to weigh the significance,” said Gloria Tercero Levario, who took over as DCS board president last month. “Until we know what went wrong, there’s no way we can fix it. We have to get to the bottom of this.”  Continue reading...