EDUCATION COUNCIL

NEBRASKA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION
Friday, May 17, 2002, 1:30 p.m.
Clifford Hardin Nebraska Center for Continuing Education

33rd & Holdrege Streets, Norfolk Room (2nd Floor)
Lincoln, Nebraska

Minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mr. Keith Bartels, Nebraska Association of School Boards

Mr. Con Dietz, Creighton University

Ms. Linda Engel, Nebraska City Public Schools

Dr. Jack Huck, Southeast Community College

Ms. Renee Bose, Syracuse Elementary (Alt. for Mr. Jeff Johnson, Centennial Public Schools)

Dr. Robin Smith, Chadron State College (Alt. for Dr. Tom Krepel, Chadron State College)

Mr. Joe LeDuc, Catholic Diocese of Lincoln

Dr. Kent Hendrickson, University of Nebraska – Lincoln (Alt. for Dr. Harvey Pearlman, University of Nebraska – Lincoln)

Dr. Keith Rohwer, Nebraska City Public Schools (Alt. for Dr. Ed Rastovski, Wahoo Public Schools)

Mr. Al Schneider, ESU 5

Mr. Alan Wibbels, ESU 10

LIAISONS PRESENT:

Mr. Bob Huber, Nebraska Education Telecommunications Commission

Dr. Dean Bergman, Nebraska Department of Education

Ms. Carna Pfiel, CCPE

MEMBERS AND LIAISONS NOT PRESENT: Dr. William Berndt, UNMC; Mr. Jeff Johnson, Centennial Public Schools; Dr. Tom Krepel, Chadron State College; Dr. George Mihel, Mid-Plains Community College; Mr. Thomas O’Neill, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Nebraska; Dr. Harvey Pearlman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Dr. Ed Rastovski, Wahoo Public Schools; Dr. Sheila Stearns, Wayne State College; Dr. Robert Ziegler, Madison Public Schools; Mr. Michael Beach, NET Engineering; Ms. Brenda Decker, DAS Division of Communications; Dr. David Powers, CCPE

Call to Order, Electronic Posting, Roll Call, Introductions

The co-chair, Dr. Jack Huck call the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. There were ten members present to conduct official business. The meeting notice was posted to the Public Meeting Calendar Web sites on May 3, 2002. The meeting agenda was posted to the NITC website on May 13, 2002.

Consider approval of the Agenda for the May 17, 2002 Agenda

Dr. Kent Hendrickson motioned to approve the May 17, 2002 agenda as presented. Mr. Keith Bartels seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-Yes, Bose-Yes, Smith-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Mr. Con Dietz arrived at 1:37 p.m.

Consider approval of Minutes from the April 19, 2002 meeting

Mr. Tom Rolfes suggested the group look closely at the NET Distance Learning Report comments to ensure accuracy. Dr. Robin Smith motioned to approve the April 19, 2002 minutes as presented. Mr. Bartels seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels-Yes, Dietz-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-Yes, Bose-Yes, Smith-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Public Comment

None.

Work Group/Committee Reports - Training Advisory Work Group

In the absence of Tracie Klosterman, Mr. Tom Rolfes provided an update. There were a total of 27 applications submitted for training grants. All eligible applications were posted onto the NITC website for internal use and evaluation. The workgroup will review all evaluated applications at their May 24, 2002 meeting and make a report to the NITC at their June 18, 2002 meeting. The NETC is scheduled to approve the grant recommendations at their June 27, 2002 meeting.

Work Group/Committee Reports - NET Distance Learning Report

Mr. Bob Huber highlighted information from the Distance Learning Report. Mr. Huber provided handouts showing the increase and decrease of distance learning. For example, there was an 11% increase of Network 2 usage, a 2% decrease of Network 3 usage, among others. In additon, the help desk usage increased by 20%. Mr. Huber reported that Ms. Connie Baird was hired as the new help desk supervisor and will start on May 24, 2002.

Education Council delegate to the NITC Meeting; June 18, 2002 @ 1:30pm

Mr. Rolfes asked for an Education Council member to volunteer and attend the June 18, 2002 NITC meeting to report on the Education Council events, present the recommended membership, priorities and actions item changes. Ms. Rene Bose volunteered to represent the Educational Council and report to the Commission.

Membership

Mr. Rolfes provided the Education Council with a list of membership renewals and replacements effective July 1, 2002. The following individuals were recommended for renewal: George Mihel, representing Community Colleges; Thomas O’Neill, Jr., representing Independent Colleges and Universities; Harvey Perlman, representing UN System; Sheila Stearns, representing State Colleges; Keith Bartels, representing Boards of Education; Jeff Johnson, representing Public Teachers; Alan Wibbels, representing Educational Service Units. All seven individuals stated previously have agreed to renew their terms. In addition, William Berndt, representing UN System is retiring and his subsector is seeking a replacement. Rob Ziegler, representing Administrators, whose term will expire June 30, 2002 is seeking a replacement.

Mr. Dietz motioned to approve the renewals and make a recommendation to the NITC in June. Mr. LeDuc seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels-Yes, Dietz-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-Yes, Bose-Yes, Smith-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Mr. Rolfes stated that Dr. Joseph Preusser, a member from 2002-2002; Dr. William Berndt, a member from 1998-2002; Dr. Woody Ziegler, a member from 1998-2000 and an alternate from 2000-2002; and Dr. Rob Ziegler, a member from 2000-2002 should receive special recognition for their efforts while serving on the Education Council. Mr. Rolfes will send them certificates of recognition.

Dr. Hendrickson motioned to recognize members that are retiring, Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels-Yes, Dietz-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-Yes, Bose-Yes, Smith-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Mr. Dietz recommended Jerry Harnesh of Midland Lutheran College as his alternate.Update - Nebraska Network Workgroup

Mr. Rolfes provided a brief report of the status of the Nebraska Network Workgroup. The next meeting is June 4, 2002 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the State Office Building, 6th floor conference room. Mr. Rolfes stated that an interim report has been issued, including a breakdown of nine surrounding states that have established networks. Mr. Rolfes and Mr. Steve Schafer, the Chief Information Officer have been invited to attend meetings with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and local libraries. Mr. Rolfes and Mr. Schafer will present a PowerPoint presentation of the network background in hopes that the groups will later discuss the potential benefits because of their involvement in the network. Prior to the June 4, 2002 meeting, a draft of final recommendations will be available. Mr. Schafer has drafted a final report including recommendations, fiscal impact, funding model, business case, and a risk analysis, among other elements. Dr. Huck suggested that Mr. Rolfes send out a message to remind the members when the report is available for their review. Dr. Huck strongly encouraged the Education Council members to read it carefully and make critical recommendations.

Investigation of aggregated purchase of Web course management tools

Mr. Rolfes sent an email to the Education Council on May 14, 2002 outlining preliminary information regarding the web course management tools. A 60-day committee will need to be formed to conduct an investigation of K-12, ESU’s and Higher Ed entities about their web course management usage. The committee will return with information about products, FTE faculty, aggregation, and statewide purchase, among others. The committee will also suggest next steps to the Educational Council based on the researched information. Discussion.

Mr. Dietz made a motion that a 60-day committee be formed to investigate said entities, Mr. Bartels seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels-Yes, Dietz-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-Yes, Bose-Yes, Smith-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Recommendation of Education Council Priorities for Statewide Technology Plan

Mr. Rolfes provided a document outlining the Education Council Priorities. The Education Council members looked at the priorities for accuracy. The document included a minor change to one priority from the April meeting. Mr. LeDuc motioned to approve the list of priorities as stated. Ms. Engel seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels-Yes, Dietz-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-Yes, Bose-Yes, Smith-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Recommendation of Education Council Action Items for Statewide Technology Plan

The Education Council evaluated each action item under each priority. It was recommended to retain EC 1.1. Discussion. EC 1.1 was accepted as written. It was recommended to retain EC 1.2. Discussion. EC 1.2 was accepted as written. It was recommended to abandon EC 3.1 and adopt 3.2. Discussion. The Council asked Mr. Rolfes to re-work the verbage in EC 3.1 to address a funding agency, lifecycles, inclusion of K-12 and higher education. It was recommended to revise EC 4.1 to read, “The Education Council will recommend the appropriate role for technology essential learnings, competencies, and proficiencies in statewide standards, certification and re-certifcation.” Discussion. EC 4.1 was accepted as recommended. EC 4.2 was suggested at April 19, 2002 meeting. Discussion. EC 4.2 was accepted as written. EC 4.3 was also suggested at April 19, 2002 meeting. Discussion. Mr. Dietz moved that EC 4.3 be struck. Mr. LeDuc seconded the motion. Discussion. Council members agreed to include the essence of EC 4.3 in EC 6.1 if agreed by the volunteer task group. Roll call vote to strike EC 4.3: Bartels-Yes, Dietz-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-No, Bose-Yes, Smith-No, LeDuc-No, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-No, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes.

It was recommended to retain EC 6.1. Discussion. Mr. Bartels suggest the phrase “and guidelines for their appropriate use” be inserted. EC 6.1 description would read: “The Education Council will encourage the development of new instructional methods and resources for synchronous and asynchronous instruction and guidelines for their appropriate use.” Mr. Bartels motioned to accept the EC 6.1 as amended. Dr. Huck seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels-Yes, Dietz-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-Yes, Bose-Yes, Smith-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote. EC 6.2 was suggested at the April 19, 2002 meeting. Mr. Bartels suggested the phrase “promote the study of appropiate” be inserted. EC 6.1 description would read: “ The Education Council will promote the study of appropiate technology solutions for wireless, handheld, and mobile content delivery by K-12 and higher education instructors.” Mr. Bartels motioned to accept EC 6.1 as amended. Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Discussion. Dr. Huck motioned to strike EC 6.1. Mr. Dietz seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels-Yes, Dietz-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-Yes, Bose-Yes, Smith-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote. EC 2.1 was suggested at the April 19, 2002 meeting. Discussion. Mr. Dietz moved to change the funding of the NETC grants to $250,000 for Fiscal Year 2003-2004, raising the grant maximum to $25,000 and placing the grant fund under the jurisdiction of the NITC with Education Council input. Mr. Schneider seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels-Yes, Dietz-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-Yes, Bose-Yes, Smith-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Mr. Bartels moved to approve all action items. Mr. Schneider seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels-Yes, Dietz-Yes, Engel-Yes, Huck-Yes, Bose-Yes, Smith-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Hendrickson-Yes, Rohwer-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Wibbels-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Other

There was no other business.

Next meeting Date, Time and Location and Adjournment.

The next meeting of the NITC Education Council will be help Friday, July 12, 2002 at Creighton University in Omaha at 9:00AM. Mr. Schneider offered Beatrice as a site for any upcoming meeting.

Mr. Wibbels adjourned the meeting at 4:10 p.m.

Meeting minutes were taken by Jen Soucie and reviewed by Tom Rolfes, Office of the CIO/NITC.

Meeting Minutes