Governor Scott Walker will not interfere with the appeal involving an out-of-state firm receiving a statewide contract to implement databases in Wisconsin schools.
Stevens Point-based Skyward Inc. is contesting the state’s decision to award a $15 million contract to Minnesota-based Infinite Campus.
Although the Department of Administration announced the selection, Walker on Friday emphasized it was the Department of Public Instruction who made the vendor decision. Walker said DOA is bound by procurement rules that existed before he took office. He added any calls and letters demanding answers and an investigation should be directed at DPI.
“It’s not a political process. The whole reason the law is in place is so that you have procurement decisions made on behalf of the people of the state of Wisconsin, not based on political pressures, but based on objective criteria. So from our standpoint, we’ve in the past worked with them (Skyward) to help them, but the letters should really be directed to the Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers, who is the person whose agency ultimately makes the pick on that,” Walker told reporters in Wausau.
The governor said that the state may be able to work with Skyward to try to keep them and their jobs in the state, but he and DOA are unable to make a move until Skyward’s challenge of the bid and any legal action is completed.
Larry Lee-WSAU contributed to this report