Cost of Tech System for Schools Soars

RALEIGH — When Carolina Journal interviewed Bob Bellamy, associate superintendent for accountability and technology for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction for CJ’s April issue, he acknowledged that the statewide NC WISE (Window of Information on Student Education) computer system could cost up to $150 million to implement in all schools throughout the state. But documents obtained in May by CJ say the expected costs, as of Jan. 23 this year, are expected to climb to $234 million by the time the project is completed in 2010. The project started in 1999 as a $54 million contract to replace the public schools’ aging computer system.