School computer deal gets state's attention

Gov. Charlie Crist's legal counsel, Jason Gonzalez, today asked the inspector general of the state's Department of Education to investigate a northeast Florida school computer system deal worth as much as $3 million. Gonzalez wrote in his letter to Inspector Ed Jordan that the matter was brought to his attention by attorney Edwin Bayo, who provided e-mails and meeting notices suggesting that something was fishy in negotiations between the 15-school board North East Florida Education Consortium and Skyward, a Wisconsin-based firm that produces finance and student-tracking software for schools.

"These documents raise concerns of possible Sunshine Law and other ethics violations," Gonzalez wrote.

Bayo couldn't be reached for comment.

Gov. Charlie Crist's legal counsel, Jason Gonzalez, today asked the inspector general of the state's Department of Education to investigate a northeast Florida school computer system deal worth as much as $3 million. Gonzalez wrote in his letter to Inspector Ed Jordan that the matter was brought to his attention by attorney Edwin Bayo, who provided e-mails and meeting notices suggesting that something was fishy in negotiations between the 15-school board North East Florida Education Consortium and Skyward, a Wisconsin-based firm that produces finance and student-tracking software for schools.

"These documents raise concerns of possible Sunshine Law and other ethics violations," Gonzalez wrote.

Bayo couldn't be reached for comment.

The most intriguing document: a Jan. 14 e-mail from Skyward vice president Kevin McFerrin and two consortium staffers who were among 10 scheduled to review the systems in the Badger State. McFerrin suggested they come up early.

"It will cost you nothing!" McFerrin wrote. "This will give you the time to come to the Northwoods. We can snowmobile in some beautiful areas and do some ice fishing -- even some snowshoeing at my hunting shack!"

McFerrin told us that the trip never happened, though 10 NEFEC members still flew up to check out the system. "Everything was above board," he said. "This is (instigated) by a vendor who's upset." McFerrin said Skyward currently operates in Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.

The NEFEC's executive director, Bob Smith, said he was unaware of any problems with the computer system or the negotiations. He said no final decision on the contract had been made.

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Comments

isnt/wasnt neil BUSH, the ONE ADMITTED CRIMINAL among all of 'em -- so far!! -- connected with some "edjukatshunal computer" scam?

remember when his mom, the bug-eyed crone, tried to get involved with some deal as well as the port security scam way back in his drunken brothers first dismal term?

deeper digging will probably find some bush ties in this, just ONE MORE CRIMINAL enterprise, living on, even aftr fattie is history!

these people are more corrupt that even rmNIXON!!!!

So ten NEFEC members spent taxpayers money to fly to Wisconson to check out this computer program??? why didnt they just drive to St Lucie to check out the system if we have it here in state?

looks like the good old boys got caught with thier pants down

"pants down"...republicans....hee-hee!!

Is he also going to write Jim Greer a letter assking him to submit RPOF to a full REAL audit ?

[North Florida Democrat]

Everyone knows Skyward's technology is 1980's client server with an old data base called progress. They have slapped a GUI front end on it and tried to pass it off as a web product. I doubt any competitor is jealous of the product.

[North Florida Democrat]

Everyone knows Skyward's technology is 1980's client server with an old data base called progress. They have slapped a GUI front end on it and tried to pass it off as a web product. I doubt any competitor is jealous of this product.

by chance, would the system be at indian river college?

[Jorge Antonio Lovenguth]

A call to me stated that the state purchased a used "junkyard wrecker software program" modified it and its in use now. I winder how uch they paid for that and what they actually billed the tazpayer's fot it? Help me become the next Florida US Senator and I will let everyone know and those responsible will do their time for this crime.