EDUCATION COUNCIL
of the
NEBRASKA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION

Tuesday, November 30, 2010; 1:00PM CT

Host site: NET Board Room, Lincoln
Remote site 1: Alliance High School, Alliance
Remote site 2: Wayne State College, Wayne
Remote site 3: ESU 10, Kearney

MINUTES

VOTING MEMBERS/ALTERNATES PRESENT:


Dr. Michael Chipps, Mid-Plains Community College (Lincoln site)

Mr. John Stritt, ESU 10, Alt. for Mr. Ron Cone, ESU 10 (Kearney site)

Dr. Terry Haack, Bennington Public Schools (Lincoln site)

Mr. Stephen Hamersky, Omaha Gross High School (Lincoln site)

Mr. Leonard Hartman, Alliance Public Schools (Alliance Site)

Mr. Ed Hoffman, Nebraska State College System (Lincoln site)

Mr. Jeff Johnson, Centennial Public Schools (Lincoln site)

Mr. Dennis Linster, Wayne State College (Wayne Site)
Mr. Craig Pease, Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools (Lincoln site)

Mr. Randy Schmailzl, Metropolitan Community College (Lincoln site)

Dr. Bob Uhing, ESU 1 (Wayne Site)

 

LIAISONS/ALTERNATE MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Gary Targoff, NET; Ms. SuAnn Witt, NDE

 

MEMBERS/LIAISONS ABSENT:  Ms. Yvette Holly, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Mr. Chuck Lenosky, Creighton University; Mr. Jeff Stanley, Conestoga Public Schools; Ms. Brenda Decker, DAS-CIO; Dr. Marshall Hill, CCPE

 

CALL TO ORDER, ELECTRONIC POSTING, LOCATION OF OPEN MEETING LAW DOCUMENTS, ROLL CALL, INTRODUCTIONS

 

Co-chair, Dr. Chipps, called meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. The meeting notice was posted to the NITC/Education Council Homepage http://www.nitc.nebraska.gov/ and the Nebraska Public Meeting Calendar on November 24, 2010.  The agenda was posted to the NITC website on November 24, 2010. A copy of the Open Meetings Act was located on the counter at the entrance of the NET meeting room as well as each of the remote locations. Roll Call found ten members present. A quorum existed to conduct official business.

 

(Note:  At the beginning of the meeting, there were technical difficulties with the Alliance connection for Mr. Hartman.)

 

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA FOR THE NOVEMBER 30, 2010 MEETING

 

Mr. Pease moved to approve the November 30, 2010 meeting agenda as presented.  Mr. Hamersky seconded.  Roll call vote:  Chipps-Yes, Stritt-Yes, Haack-Yes, Hamersky-Yes, Hoffman-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Linster-Yes, Pease-Yes, Schmailzl-Yes, and Uhing-(Not present at time of vote).  Results:  Yes-9, No-0, Abstaining-0.  Motion carried.

 

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 MEETING

 

Mr. Johnson moved to approve the September 2, 2010 minutes as presented.  Mr. Pease seconded.  Roll call vote: Uhing-Yes, Schmailzl-Yes, Pease-Yes, Linster-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Hoffman-Yes, Hamersky-Yes, Haack-Yes, Stritt-Yes, and Chipps-Yes.  Results:  Yes-10, No-0, Abstaining-0.  Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

There was no public comment.

 

UPDATE: STATEWIDE ELEARNING VISION

 

Mr. Blomstedt was not present to report.  Gordon Rothemeyer distributed a document titled “Update: ESUCC eLearning/Distance Education Vision” and provided an update.  He expressed appreciation and thanks to individuals and groups that assisted with this endeavor.  The ESUCC’s (Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council) annual meeting was held on November 17th.  At the annual meeting, the ESU Administrators voted unanimously to implement a statewide eLearning plan that would begin to develop a common platform for learning management and content management. The eLearning Vision Plan will be co-created by partners and other entities.  Partnerships include ESUs, the Nebraska Department of Education, NET, higher education including the UNL Independent Study High School, the University, State, and Community  College systems, and partners with state and local governments.  As indicated in the report the critical and top priorities of the plan are:

·         User Interface/Authentication

·         Searchable Content Management System

·         Online Content/Courses Sharing and Exchange

·         Learning Management Systems

·         Professional Development

·         Assessment and Analysis

Mr. Blomstedt plans to meet with the ESU project directors after the holiday break to begin reviewing and developing timelines for the completion of the eLearning plan.  Mr. Roethemeyer entertained questions from the council.

 

Council members emphasized the need for the Technical Panel and the NITC Education Council to review the draft eLearning vision document and encouraged a timeline be determined so discussions and reviews can begin. 

 

There will be a meeting of ESU project leaders and group chairs to layout the timelines on January 13th and/or 14th.

 

NETWORK NEBRASKA UPDATE: INTERNET ACCESS, MUSEUMS, LIBRARIES;
DETAILED FINANCIAL REPORT, 2007-10

Tom Rolfes, Education I.T. Manager

 

Network Nebraska currently has 228 participants.  On November 9-10, 140 public library directors met together with the Nebraska Library Commission to discuss their recent BTOP Public Computing Center and Gates Foundation Grants. Several libraries expressed interest in becoming partners with Network Nebraska.  Forty-five of these libraries have declared an intent to upgrade or enhance their Internet capabilities. Upgrades could mean installing a T-1 where they have DSL right now or fiber where they have T-1s now.  There has also been interest expressed from the Strategic Air and Space Museum, Lied Center for the Performing Arts, Sheldon Memorial Art Museum, University of Nebraska State Museum, and the Durham Museum.  Continuing discussions are being held regarding non-profit organizations and their costs and benefits for potential membership in Network Nebraska. 

 

The Southwest Nebraska Distance Learning Network sites is being rebid by ESU 16 right now. The Windstream Internet contract is in year two of a two-year contract that will need to be rebid in the Fall of 2011 and the Northeast Nebraska Network Consortium and Network Nebraska backbone circuits will also be rebid in the fall of 2011. 

 

The Network Nebraska Detailed Cost Report was reviewed.  Several Council members commented on the need to have full time dedicated leadership for Network Nebraska for operational purposes and to maintain and grow value-added services.  As indicated in the report, if members had any questions about the cost report they were to contact Steve Schafer, Office of the CIO, via email.

 

NETWORK NEBRASKA ADVISORY GROUP - OCTOBER 20, 2010 MEETING NOTES

Dennis Linster and John Stritt, Co-Chairs

 

The meeting notes were distributed electronically to members prior to the meeting.  Mr. Linster encouraged members to review the comments from Brenda Decker, CIO, regarding the NNAG survey on the website.  The next meeting of the Network Nebraska Advisory Committee is scheduled for December 7th, 1:00 p.m.

 

TASK GROUP REPORTS - FUNDING/ERATE

 

Ms. Witt reported there was no new progress to report and asked if the task group is still needed.  Task groups will be discussed later on in the meeting.


TASK GROUP REPORTS - SERVICES TASK GROUP REPORT

 

Mr. Roethemeyer reported that the eLearning update was included in Mr. Blomstedt’s report.


TASK GROUP REPORTS - GOVERNANCE TASK GROUP

(NNAG survey results and NNAG survey comments)

 

Co-chairs felt it was time to review the membership of the task groups.  It had been recommended to merge the Services Task Group with the Education Council members and alternates who also serve on the NNAG so that communication would be enhanced and avoid the possibility of duplication. This would specifically affect Dennis Linster, John Stritt, Ken Clipperton, Tip O’Neill, and Bob Uhing.  Members who are currently on the Services task group could remain or join another task group.  The recommendation will be discussed at the December 7 NNAG meeting.  Mr. Linster will bring back the results of their discussion.  Mr. Rolfes was asked to bring information on action items D2a, D5 and D6 for the December 7th meeting.

 

Funding eRate task group members reported that one of their action items N4c is completed.  The other action items N4d and N4g are designed as advocacy roles.  The task group has done what they can do with the action items that have been assigned.

 

In the Fall of 2011, the NITC will review and revise the statewide technology plan. Prior to that, the Education Council will need to review current action items to see what has been accomplished and what new action items it would like to develop.  Until further notice, the Network Nebraska Advisory Group and the Services Task Group will merge.  A request was made by Jeff Johnson to include action items on other issues like “Leading Edge Technology Applications” so that action items are not always focused on Network Nebraska.  The Council will discuss their assigned action items at the next meeting.

 

NNAG Survey, Dennis Linster.  Dennis Linster stated that the CIO Brenda Decker was disappointed at return rate of the survey (approximately 25%).  NNAG conducts their meetings via video conferencing which has kept attendance up around 80% and is a cost savings to members.  NNAG’s role has become clearer to the NITC Education Council and CAP (Collaborative Aggregation Partnership).  CAP has valued NNAG’s input on operational issues.  Council members requested that the NNAG charter be sent to members to review the groups’ purpose, goals, operational aspects and membership.

 

The Co-Chairs asked that Mr. Rolfes serve as the liaison bridge between the Office of the CIO and NNAG for quick operational decisions and to also keep the Education Council members informed of operational recommendations.


TASK GROUP REPORTS - MARKETING TASK GROUP

(Network Nebraska Website Survey Results and Survey Comments and Network Nebraska Marketing Survey Distribution Protocol and Timeline)

 

Dr. Chipps announced that Mr. Bateman will be retiring in January.  The Task Group will need to delegate a new Task Group Leader.  Mr. Bateman has been instrumental with the success of the Marketing Task Group. 

 

Ms. Witt provided a brief update.  The Network Nebraska website survey focused on the Network Nebraska website – strengths, weakness, what else should be included, etc.  The Task Group has met with CAP to review the survey results.  Survey recommendations are being implemented by the Task Group.  The Task Group is getting ready for the third Network Nebraska Marketing survey next month.  It will have separate sections for current as well as potential Network Nebraska partners; technical, administrative, instructional; as well as K-12, higher education; and public and private.  Members will be asked to forward the survey to their colleagues.  It is anticipated to have survey results back to the Council after January.

 

BIENNIAL BUDGET AND I.T. PROJECT PROPOSAL (NET SATELLITE REPLACEMENT)

 

This was the only IT budget request by a state agency.  It was assigned to the State Government Council for review and recommendation.  The State Government Council recommended the project as a “Tier 1-mission critical” project for a replacement of the satellite transponders for public radio and television and will be migrating to fiber optic connections.

 

OTHER/ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Mr. Rolfes announced that on Wednesday, December 8th at Varner Hall from 9:15-10:15 a.m. the Great Plains Network for Internet 2 would like to speak to members of the Education Council and Network Nebraska Advisory Group.  Rick Golden is checking on video conferencing access for these meetings. The GPN representatives will also be attending the joint CAP-Technical Panel meeting from 10:30-11:30 a.m. 

 

AGENDA ITEMS AND CONSIDER LOCATION FOR THE JANUARY 2011 MEETING

 

The following items will be on the January meeting agenda:

  • Discussion of Action Items
  • Discussion of Task Groups
  • NNAG Charter
  • Successful Purchasing Alliances in the midst of Budget Cuts

 

The next meeting of the Education Council will be held on January 14th, 1:00 p.m. in Lincoln. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Mr. Pease moved to adjourn at 3:35 p.m.  Mr. Hoffman seconded.  All were in favor.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Meeting minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Tom Rolfes.