Contract Dispute Involves Atkinson

RALEIGH — Knowledge Network Solutions has petitioned for a review of the Department of Public Instruction’s award of a $27 million contract to a rival firm, Voyager Expanded Learning of Dallas, whose board includes former Gov. Jim Hunt. Knowledge Network claims DPI first accepted its bid of $17.8 million, but later rejected it and gave the contract to Voyager Expanded Learning, with a bid of $26.9 million. The decision was made by June Atkinson, then at DPI and now a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction. She told CJ that the Knowledge Network team did not meet bid requirements.