This Time Alan King’s Job Isn’t to Save a School District; It’s to Kill It

A long-time administrator with a reputation for coming in to save the day didn’t sound a very optimistic after taking the reins of Dallas County Schools on Wednesday.Alan King’s new job as the bus-service provider’s chief executive officer is to oversee the wind down of the agency voters decided to abolish. But he told the dissolution committee who appointed him that they face numerous challenges such as untangling bad business deals, assessing liabilities and trying to figure out exactly what budget shortfalls exist.“Our current financial situation is pretty bleak,” King said, pointing to a failed business venture by the agency as the main source of money woes.King said DCS has about $146 million in debt, much of it caused by DCS’ foray into the stop-arm camera program. DCS officials had hoped to benefit from contracts across the state by partnering with districts to ticket drivers who were recorded illegally passing stopped buses.  Continue reading...