A Stevens Point software company may be pushed out of the state if it isn't awarded a contract to provide student information systems for all of the state's public school districts.
Wisconsin is now requiring a single provider, eliminating districts' ability to choose, even if they're happy with their current vendor.
Skyward employs nearly 300 people in Stevens Point. The company's software makes it easy for teachers and parents to keep track of students' grades and other information.
Skyward already provides the software to half of the state's districts, but those contracts are in jeopardy.
"We've been here for just over 30 years providing our solution to Wisconsin school districts and we hire Wisconsinites and we want to be able to continue to do our business here," said Scott Glinski, Skyward's president.
If the Department of Public Instruction's plan continues to move forward and Skyward doesn't win the contract, they'll likely move out of state.
"If we win the business that'd be great but if not, if we're not allowed to sell in our own backyard then that would be difficult for us to be able to grow our business here in Wisconsin," he said.
Eliminating the multi-vendor system also concerns Stevens Point Mayor Andrew Halverson.
If Wisconsin is open for business Mayor Halverson says Madison should support the Wisconsin company already providing service for half of the state's school districts.
"When are we going to put our money where our mouth is as a state and say we are going to stand with Wisconsin companies and we will support them and prioritize how we choose them," Halverson said.
Monday, Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) and Rep. Louis Molepske Jr. (D-Stevens Point) introduced a bill that continues the multi-vendor system.
Rep. Molepske says it makes more sense than paying for districts to convert to a new system.
"The state isn't going to give them any money to do it, there's no guarantee," Rep. Molepske said. "In Stevens Point that's $400,000 to switch over."
He says there's also indication DPI may award the contract to a Minnesota software company.
"We felt there were some problems with some current people at DPI who had some ties with Infinite Campus Corporation, that's the other company from Minnesota; personal and business ties," he said.
The single vendor system was written into Governor Scott Walker's budget and signed into law. $15 million dollars has been allocated for the conversion, $5 million has been released to DPI.
A message for DPI Communications Officer Patrick Gasper was not returned.
Latest Comments
Posted by: Where will there be savings? on Feb 14, 2012 at 01:49 PM
When you look at one provider for anything the cost lies in the future. Once a company has the school system hooked it will cost more money. Placing all eggs in one basket never made sense. The extra costs come each time you go back and ask for an update. Why are people not using common business sense?
Posted by: Kay Olson-Martz Location: United States on Feb 11, 2012 at 01:10 PM
I have heard of other school districts being forced to change the program they use. Governor Walker says he is not raising taxes, but when schools are forced to change programs to report grades, and companies that are in his back pocket get free money (our tax money), then he is raising taxes. Remember, these programs need updates and they need to also have support. That all will cost tax dollars every year. It will be levied under our school taxes. Let's support our companies in Wisconsin, and keep them in business and keep our people in Wisconsin employed.
