Friday,
March 5, 2010, 1:00 p.m. (CT)
Technology Park
Auditorium, 4701 Innovation Drive, Lincoln, NE
MINUTES
VOTING MEMBERS/ALTERNATES PRESENT:
Mr. Arnold Bateman, University of Nebraska
Dr. Wayne Bell, Alt. for Bob Uhing,
Educational Service Unit 1
Dr. Michael Chipps, Mid-Plains Community
College
Dr. Terry Haack, Bennington Public Schools
Mr. Stephen Hamersky,
Ms. Yvette Holly, University of Nebraska
Medical Center (listening by phone)
Mr. Chuck Lenosky, Creighton University
Mr. Dennis Linster, Wayne State College
Mr. Craig Pease, Ashland-Greenwood Public
Schools
Mr. Jeff Stanley, Alt. for Kent Gydesen,
Lexington Public Schools
LIAISONS/ALTERNATE MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Kathleen Fimple,
Alt. for Dr. Marshall Hill, Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary
Education; Ms. SuAnn Witt,
MEMBERS/LIAISONS ABSENT: Mr. Ed Hoffman, Nebraska State College System; Mr. Clark Chandler, Nebraska Wesleyan University; Mr. Ron Cone, ESU 10; Dr. Eileen Ely, Western Nebraska Community College; Mr. Leonard Hartman, Alliance Public Schools; Mr. Jeff Johnson, Centennial Public Schools; Ms. Brenda Decker, DAS-CIO; and Mr. Michael Winkle, NET
CALL TO ORDER,
ELECTRONIC POSTING, LOCATION OF OPEN MEETING LAW DOCUMENTS, ROLL CALL,
INTRODUCTIONS
Co-Chair Dr. Chipps
called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. There were eight voting members
present at the time of roll call. A quorum
was present to conduct official business.
The public meeting notice was posted to the NITC and the Nebraska Public Meeting
Calendar Web sites on February 26, 2010. The meeting agenda was posted to
the NITC Web site February 26, 2010. The Open Meetings Act document was at the
head table.
The
following individuals introduced themselves as guests: Gail Gilliam, Rhonda
Winn, Dark Fiber Solutions; and Matt Blomstedt, ESUCC, joined the meeting in progress.
CONSIDER
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA FOR THE MARCH 5, 2010 MEETING
Dr. Haack moved
approval of the March 5, 2010 agenda. Dr.
Bell seconded. Roll call: Bateman-Yes, Chipps-Yes, Stanley-Yes,
Haack-Yes, Hamersky-Yes, Lenosky-Yes, Linster-Yes, Bell-Yes. Results: 8-Yes, No-0, Abstain-0. Motion carried.
CONSIDER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
FROM THE NOVEMBER 2, 2009 MEETING
Mr. Linster moved
approval of the November 2, 2009 minutes as presented. Mr. Lenosky seconded. Roll call:
Chipps-Yes, Stanley-Yes, Haack-Yes, Hamersky-Yes, Lenosky-Yes,
Linster-Yes, Bell-Yes, Bateman-Yes. Results:
8-Yes, No-0, Abstain-0. Motion
carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There
was no public comment.
Co-Chair Mike Chipps decided to reverse the
order of the agenda items, Network Nebraska Phase IV Update and Legislative
Update to better facilitate discussion.
NETWORK NEBRASKA
PHASE IV UPDATE
Tom Rolfes gave an overview of the segments to be upgraded
on the statewide backbone and reported that the Network Nebraska Interregional
Transport budget would increase from $258,145 in 2009-10 to $316,288 in
2010-11, a 22.5% increase. This was primarily due to more Internet traffic and
an additional aggregation circuit to be installed at College Park. The monthly
post-Erate fee for K-12 is expected to increase but stay below $40/month
whereas the higher education amount will increase to around $112 per month.
Tom Rolfes also reported that the amount of Internet that
will be purchased by K-12 participants on Network Nebraska went up by 60% as
the unit price decreased by 60% to $6.10/Mbps. The total amount of Network
Nebraska K-12 Internet for July 1, 2010 will be 1,917 Mbps purchased from
Windstream out of Lincoln and Omaha. Higher education Internet will be
available at a unit rate as low as $5.75/Mbps from UNCSN, while using contracts
from Windstream, Time-Warner Cable, and Unite Private Networks. Rick Golden
also has $9.24/Mbps Internet available out of Omaha from Level3.
The Network Nebraska-Education (July 1, 2010) membership
is expected to increase by five higher education institutions: College of St.
Mary, Clarkson College, Doane College, Metro Community College, and Nebraska
Wesleyan University.
Craig Pease joined the meeting at 1:19pm.
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE
Tom
Rolfes distributed a document of LB
1071 excerpts that had been amended by the Education Committee amendment,
and then again by Senator Adams. The bill received unanimous votes to approve
AM 2182, AM 2103, and to advance LB 1071 to select file. The language that
required every education related political subdivision to seek approval for
every technology purchase over $10,000 was changed to include a notification
requirement based on CIO guidelines, if the new or additional technology
affected Network Nebraska. The OCIO staff felt that this new requirement would
be workable. Also, the definition of “enterprise project” was amended from LB
1071. Members took interest and discussed the new memoranda of agreement
required between the State Board of Education and the University of Nebraska,
State Colleges, and the Community Colleges. They recognized the advantages of
having a seamless K-20 transition for data gathering, educational
effectiveness, and identity management.
NETWORK
NEBRASKA ADVISORY GROUP
Dennis Linster, Co-Chair of the NN Advisory Group, reviewed the meeting notes
of the December
17 and January
28 meetings. Mr. Linster
complimented the rapid coalescence of the group and also the work of his
co-chair, John Stritt, from ESU 10. Mr. Linster recognized that there may be
some potential overlaps between the Advisory Group’s subcommittees and the Education
Council’s task groups and that those discussions will have to be worked out
over time. He emphasized that two-way communication between advisory group
members and current and prospective Network Nebraska members will be paramount
as the Network moves forward. At their January 28 meeting, the Advisory Group
voted to recommend: The transport and routing segments of the 2010-11 backbone;
the Affiliate Fees structure for Grand Island Public Library; the traffic
shaper device purchases; and the approval of the Advisory Group Charter
document.
TASK
GROUP UPDATES - FUNDING/E-RATE
Steve Hamersky reported that the FCC had
recently issued Order 10-33 that permitted “incidental” after-hours use of K-12
telecommunication facilities without need for cost-allocation or reduction of
benefits. This item enables schools that receive funding from the E-rate
program (more formally, the schools and libraries universal service support
program) to allow members of the general public to use the schools’ Internet and
network access during non-operating hours. This will be enacted through June
30, 2011 with consideration of making the exemption permanent. In addition,
Congressman Markey’s bill, H.R. 4619, nicknamed E-rate 2.0, was introduced and
directs the FCC to implement three pilot programs: narrowing the digital divide
through the distribution of vouchers to enable low-income students to purchase
residential broadband service; a competitive grant program to extend funding
for broadband equipment and services to selected community colleges and head
start; enabling certain E-Rate applicants serving particularly low-income
students to apply for significantly discounted services and technologies for
the use of e-books. The bill also would provide for an inflation adjustment to
the current $2.25 billion cap on the E-Rate program, and a streamlining of the
application process.
TASK GROUP UPDATES - SERVICES
TASK GROUP
Ron Cone and Gordon Roethemeyer provided the report
prior to the meeting but were unable to attend for narration. One of the most
important marketing areas will be to clearly depict the Network Nebraska
services list and to also research future or emerging technology services for
Network Nebraska.
TASK GROUP UPDATES - MARKETING
TASK GROUP
Arnold Bateman reported that the 2010 Network
Nebraska Marketing Survey Report was well received by the Network Nebraska
Advisory Group, CAP, and it would also be presented to the Commissioners for
their approval at their NITC meeting on March 15. The survey completion rate
increased significantly from the 2008 to 2009 data collection periods.
Recommendations, conclusions and trends from the Report were shared by Mr.
Bateman. Several findings from the Report have implications for how the
Education Council Task Groups carry out their action items. Co-Chair Terry
Haack asked that at least 30 minutes be allowed for a thorough review and
discussion of this Report at the next Education Council meeting.
TASK GROUP UPDATES - GOVERNANCE TASK
GROUP
Yvette Holly reported over the conference
phone that the Governance Task Group had discussed the continuation of the
Network Nebraska Advisory Group. The
Council and the Governance Task Group will conduct a review in the June time
frame as cited in the original Charter document.
As a future agenda item, it was recommended
to review the objectives and membership of all the Task Groups.
STATEWIDE
TECHNOLOGY PLAN
– ACTION ITEMS UPDATE
Mr. Rolfes shared
the three sets of action items for the three initiatives, Network Nebraska,
Digital Education, and eGovernment, as previously recommended by the Education
Council and approved by the NITC. Since some action items were approved and/or
discontinued, Mr. Rolfes shared the renumbering of the Action Items here http://nitc.nebraska.gov/ec/meetings/documents/2010.03.05/ECactionitems_20100322.pdf
.
The council members did a high level overview of the
action items but time did not allow extensive discussion.
NETWORK NEBRASKA STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ACTION ITEMS
(2010-2011)
1. Identify Tier II communities that offer opportunities
for aggregation for services onto the network.
N1aAction: The CAP will work with communities that express an
interest in aggregating their public sector transport.
Lead: Network Nebraska (CAP)
Participating Entities: Specific communities, NITC Community Council, Nebraska
League of Municipalities, Nebraska
Association of County Officials, and public libraries
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation as is
2. The Chief Information Officer will continue the LB 1208
implementation by annually bidding infrastructure and connectivity for new
regions of participants and developing the most cost-effective and efficient
support structure possible for the statewide network.
N2aAction: The Network Nebraska network design/support team will
develop a memorandum of agreement with local and regional education entities in
order to develop a cooperative support system for the statewide education
network that will mitigate data transport and synchronous video problems.
Lead: Network Nebraska (CAP)
Participating Entities: Network Nebraska—Education Advisory Group, ESU-NOC, Higher
education entities, NITC Education Council
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation as is
N2bAction: The Chief Information Officer will annually update the
State master purchase contracts for edge devices and monitor the local site
purchases of such equipment in order to promote and encourage network equipment
standardization.
Lead: Chief Information Officer
Participating Entities: Network Nebraska (CAP), ESU-NOC
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation with minor revisions
3. Offer Internet I services to eligible network
participants.
N3aAction: The CAP will accept new orders for Internet service and
continue to aggregate purchasing demand to secure a more economical price for
statewide Internet service.
Lead: Network Nebraska (CAP)
Participating Entities: NITC Education Council, ESU-NOC, Higher Education Entities
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation as is
4. Prepare for the future of Network Nebraska as a
statewide, multipurpose network.
N4aAction: Develop appropriate participation criteria (e.g. type of
entity, bandwidth expectations) and a differential catalog of services and fees
for Network Nebraska to serve all network participants (i.e. public/nonpublic
K-12, public/nonpublic higher education, museums, science centers, libraries,
others).
Lead: Network Nebraska (CAP)
Participating Entities: NITC Education Council, Network Nebraska—Education
Advisory Group
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation with minor revisions
N4bAction: Charter a work group to research advanced network services
for Network Nebraska participants.
Lead: Network Nebraska (CAP)
Participating Entities: Network Nebraska—Education Advisory Group, NITC Education
Council
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation as is
N4cAction: Develop an online E-rate cost allocation calculator that
will enable K-12 and non-K-12 entities to estimate the ineligible
telecommunications costs resulting from offering non-K-12 services in a K-12
facility.
Lead: Education Council Funding/E-rate Task Group
Participating Entities: Distance Education Council
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation with minor revisions
N4dAction: Work to change the federal E-rate policies that create
impediments and financial disincentives for collaborative usage of networks and
videoconferencing by ineligible populations (Pre-K, adults, telehealth, etc…).
Lead: Nebraska E-rate Coordinator
Participating Entities: Educational Service Units, NITC Education Council
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation as is
N4eAction: Annually reissue the Network Nebraska Marketing Survey and
subsequent Report to help steer the strategic direction of Network
Nebraska—Education.
Lead: Education Council Marketing Task Group
Participating Entities: Network Nebraska—Education Advisory Group.
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: New
N4fAction: Annually update the Network Nebraska Marketing Plan.
Lead: Education Council Marketing Task Group
Participating Entities: Network Nebraska—Education Advisory Group.
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: New
N4gAction: Research and pursue grant writing that would assist with
the deployment of statewide technology services.
Lead: Education Council Funding/E-rate Task Group
Participating Entities: Network Nebraska—Education Advisory Group, ESU
Coordinating Council.
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: New
N4hAction: Review the viability and effectiveness of the Network
Nebraska—Education Advisory Group and make appropriate changes to affect its
structure, membership and meeting frequency.
Lead: Education Council Governance
Task Group,
Participating Entities: Education Council, Chief Information Officer
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: New
N4iAction: Develop a business plan for Network Nebraska—Education.
Lead: Education Council Marketing Task Group
Participating Entities: CAP, Network Nebraska Advisory Group, ESU Coordinating
Council, ESUs
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: New
DIGITAL EDUCATION STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ACTION ITEMS
D1. Set a deadline, and establish standard(s) related to the
administration and maintenance of content management systems by K-12 schools.
Lead: NITC Technical Panel
Participating Entities: Learning Management Systems Work Group, ESU Coordinating
Council, Distance Education Council
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding is requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation with minor revisions
D2. Promote the availability, distribution, and use of
digital media throughout the Nebraska educational community.
D2aAction: Promote the usage of the National Repository for Online
Courses (NROC) content by Nebraska educators
Lead: Partnership for Innovation (PFI)
Participating Entities: ESU Coordinating Council, NITC Education Council Services
Task Group
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding is requested for this action item at this time.
Status: New
D3. Develop an affordable plan to
provide access to learning management system software and a digital content
management system for every teacher and learner and to also train teachers in
effective instructional design to integrate synchronous and asynchronous
technologies.
Lead: ESU Coordinating Council
Participating Entities: Technical Panel’s Learning Management System Work Group,
NITC Education Council, ESU Technology Affiliate Group
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding is requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation with minor revisions
D4. Provide training and encourage all education providers
to list all dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment courses, and all
enrichment opportunities on the statewide clearinghouse and scheduling software
system.
Lead: ESU Coordinating Council
Participating Entities: NITC Education Council, Higher education entities
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding is requested for this action item at this time.
Status: Continuation with minor revisions
D5. Develop and deploy a statewide digital content
repository that allows the assignment of digital property rights and the
uploading, cataloguing, metatagging, searching, and downloading of digital
learning objects by Nebraska educators.
Lead: Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET) & ESU
Coordinating Council
Participating Entities: Nebraska Department of Education, Education Council
Services Task Group, ESU Instructional Materials Committee, Distance Education
Council, Partnership for Innovation (PFI)
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: Considerable funding will be required for this action item
Status: New
D6. Monitor the Nebraska Statewide Assessment System (NeSAS)
and develop strategies that will assure its continued success and use of the
most efficient and scalable technology infrastructure.
Lead: Technical Panel
Participating Entities: Education Council Services Task Group, ESU-NOC
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding is requested for this action item at this time.
Status: New
D7. Develop a business plan for Network Nebraska—Education
to provide digital education resources statewide.
Lead: Education Council Marketing Task Group
Participating Entities: CAP, Network Nebraska Advisory Group, ESU Coordinating
Council, ESUs
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time.
Status: New
E-GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ACTION ITEM
E1. Maintain the Education Portal on the State of Nebraska
website.
Lead: Nebraska.gov (Nebraska Interactive LLC)
Participating Entities: Education Council
Timeframe: 2010-2011
Funding: No funding requested for this action item at this time
Status: New
OTHER/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Co-Chair
Terry Haack asked Tom Rolfes to send out the meeting minutes and revised Action
Items to the members and voting alternates as soon as possible. Dr. Haack also
asked the Task Groups to meet at least once before the next Education Council
meeting.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE
APRIL 9, 2010 MEETING
Co-Chair
Terry Haack asked for agenda items for the next meeting:
LOCATION FOR THE APRIL
9, 2010 MEETING
The
next NITC Education Council will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010, starting at
1 pm CT. Videoconferencing will be
available, with NET as the requested origination site.
Dr.
Haack moved to adjourn. Mr. Linster
seconded. All were in favor, 9-0. Motion carried.
The
meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
Minutes
were recorded by Tom Rolfes.