EDUCATION COUNCIL
Nebraska Information Technology Commission
Friday, May 20, 2005, 9:00 a.m.
Millard Public Schools Administration Building
5606 South 147th
Omaha, Nebraska
MINUTES
VOTING MEMBERS/ALTERNATES PRESENT:
Mr. Arnold Bateman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ms. Linda Engel, Nebraska City Public Schools;
Ms. Yvette Holly, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Dr. Jack Huck, Southeast Community College
Mr. Joe LeDuc, Catholic Diocese of Lincoln
Mr. Chuck Lenosky, Creighton University
Dr. Ed Rastovski, Wahoo Public Schools
Mr. Al Schneider, Educational Service Unit 5
Mr. Alan Wibbels, Educational Service Unit 10
LIAISON MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ms. Brenda Decker, Chief Information Officer
Mr. Wayne Fisher, Department of Education;
MEMBERS/LIAISONS ABSENT:
Mr. Michael Beach, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications; Dr. Michael Chipps, Mid-Plains Community College (North Platte Videoconference Site) Dr. Terry Haack, Bennington Public Schools; Dr. Marshall Hill, Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education; Mr. Jeff Johnson, Centennial Public Schools; Dr. Tom Krepel, Chadron State College; Mr. Dennis Linster, Wayne State College; Tip O’Neill, Alt. representing Independent Colleges; and Mr. Mike Pate, Millard Public Schools
OTHERS PRESENT:
Curt Anderson, Millard Public Schools; Clark Chandler, Nebraska Wesleyan University; Gene Hand, Public Service Commission; Steve Henderson, Office of the CIO; Liz Hoffman, Department of Education; Rick Molettiere, Omaha North High School; Laura Potts, Dark Fiber Solutions; Terry Dugas, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications; Travis Wagner, Qwest; and Deb Swanson, Qwest
CALL TO ORDER, ELECTRONIC POSTING, ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS
Dr. Huck called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m. There were seven voting members present at the time of roll call. A quorum did not exist at the time to conduct official business. The meeting notice was posted to the NITC and Public Meeting Calendar web sites on March 18, 2005. The meeting agenda was posted to the NITC web site on May 17, 2005. No official business was conducted until a quorum was present.
On behalf of Mike Pate, Mr. Curt Anderson of Millard Public Schools welcomed the council members.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
REMARKS FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHEEHY
As the new NITC Chair, Lieutenant Governor Sheehy is interested in meeting with each of the NITC councils. He thanked the council members for their work and efforts as well as for volunteering their time. He expressed the importance of education and use of IT to deliver services to the citizens of the State of Nebraska. Education also plays an important part in economic development. It is beneficial and inspiring to have K-12 and higher education working together towards the same goals. Lt. Governor Sheehy encouraged the council members to guard against becoming a silo within the NITC. He asked staff and council members reach out to the other advisory groups to share information and initiatives. Members were given an opportunity to engage in discussions with the Lieutenant Governor.
Ms. Engel and Mr. Schneider arrived to the meeting at 9:25am. A quorum was now present.
APPROVAL OF MAY AGENDA
Mr. LeDuc moved approval of the May 20, 2005 agenda as presented. Ms. Engel seconded. Roll call vote: Bateman-Yes, Engel-Yes, Holly-Yes, Huck-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Lenosky-Yes, Rastovski-Yes, Schneider-Yes, and Wibbels-Yes. Results: 9-Yes, 0-No. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MARCH MINUTES
Mr. Bateman moved to approve the March 18, 2005 minutes as presented. Ms. Holly seconded. Roll call vote: Wibbels-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Rastovski-Yes, Lenosky-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Huck-Yes, Holly-Yes, Engel-Yes, and Bateman-Yes. Results: 9-Yes, 0-No. Motion carried.
I.T. CALENDAR DEMONSTRATION
Nebrask@Online, Dan Brown and Trevor Bear
The development of an I.T. Calendar has been one of the council’s action items. Funding for the project came from a State Records Board grant written by the CIO’s office. In order for institutions to post training opportunities, there will be an approval process that will involve the CIO’s office and NOL. Some of the added features highlighted in the demonstration included: a viewing archive, administrative roles, template options, and ability to search for courses several ways. Questions and comments were entertained. It was suggested to also include the type of class for example classroom or online. The council agreed to wait on the go-live date until the recurring status option is fully functional.
EDUCATION COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP (Word 29k)
An updated list was distributed to the council members. Two of the nominees, Clark Chandler and Rick Molettiere, were in attendance and were introduced. The following slate of nominations was presented:
Higher Education: Yvette Holly (Renewal), Stan Carpenter (replacing Tom Krepel, State College Systems), Chuck Lenosky (Renewal), Jack Huck (Renewal), and Clark Chandler (filling independent college/university vacancy).
K-12 Education: Ed Rastovski (Renewal), Rich Molettiere (replacing Linda Engel, Public Teachers), Joe LeDuc (Renewal), and Al Schneider (Renewal).
Ms. Engel moved to approve the slate of renewed and new council voting members. Mr. Bateman seconded. Roll call vote: LeDuc-Yes, Huck-Yes, Lenosky-Yes, Holly-Yes, Rastovski-Yes, Engel-Yes, Schneider-Yes, Bateman-Yes, and Wibbels-Yes. Results: 9-Yes, 0-No. Motion carried.
The changes in the non-voting liaisons will be as follows:
Marshall Hill, Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Mike Kozak, Department of Education
Michael Winkle, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission (Alt. Terry Degau)
Dr. Tom Krepel and Ms. Engel were recognized for their service to the Education Council. Ms. Engel thanked the council members and co-chairs and will continue to be involved with the council as Mr. Molettiere’s voting alternate.
EDUCATION COUNCIL WORK SESSION PRODUCTS AND TASKS
Tom Rolfes, Education Information Technology Manager
Mr. Wibbels presided over remainder of the meeting. Prior to the meeting, council members received the Work Session Products (Word 37k) document which was a summary of the April 25th work session. The question was raised regarding the State’s library systems involvement in the network. Mr. Rolfes has continued discussions with Rod Wagner, Director of the Library Commission. Mr. Wagner is also a member of the State Government Council. The library system is also represented on the NITC Community Council. There were no additions made to the work session products document.
Mr. Wibbels demonstrated the online K-12 surveys for data collection. Separate surveys were used for Teachers, Technology Coordinators and Administrators. Persons can complete the survey anonymously. The Educational Service Units will send the survey to school personnel as soon as possible so that feedback can be received by June 10th. The question was raised as to surveying the service providers to gather information on the potential of the network. Mr. Dugas agreed to develop the survey questions and suggest who target audience to receive the survey. Mr. Wibbels offered his facility to host the survey. The higher education representatives agreed that doing such a survey statewide would be difficult at this point but were willing to gather information from key persons at their institutions. The information and recommendations gathered from the K12 surveys will be forwarded to the Distance Education Enhancement Task Force.
WHITE PAPER: TRANSITIONING TO A DIGITAL EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT
Tom Rolfes, Education Information Technology Manager
Mr. Rolfes stated that he needed the assistance of the council members with the document. Digital education is not just about distance learning but should also be about resources, data sources, and where we can be with education. The document needs to be brief and concise. Currently the document focuses on K12 but it also needs to include higher education and the life-long learner. Timing is a factor. A final draft is needed by June 7th to be forwarded on to the NITC for their review before the June 14th meeting. Once approved, the white paper will be submitted to the Distance Education Enhancement Task Force.
Mr. LeDuc moved to authorize an electronic vote for approval of the Transitioning to a Digital Education Environment white paper for review and approval by the NITC. Ms. Holly seconded. Roll call vote: Bateman-Yes, Holly-Yes, Huck-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Lenosky-Yes, Schneider-Yes, and Wibbels-Yes. Results: 7-Yes, 0-No. Motion carried.
STATEWIDE TECHNOLOGY PLAN PROCESS
Steve Henderson,
Staff has been working on the NITC initiatives via their work with the councils. At the June NITC meeting, the commission will be taking action on approval of the initiatives. Once approved by the NITC, the NITC will rely on the councils to advance the initiatives by developing action plans and recommendations. Mr. Henderson emphasized the need of the members to provide input on the white paper as well as the initiatives.
JOINT EDUCATION COUNCIL AND NITC MEETING, SEPTEMBER 16, 2005
Brenda Decker, Chief Information Officers
The joint meeting between the NITC and the Education Council is scheduled for Friday, September 16th. Senator Erdman is the ad hoc member on the NITC. Commissioners Susan Heider and Merill Bryan will be resigning from the commission. When Commissioner Smith resigns, his replacement will be suggested by the University of Nebraska. Ms. Decker would like some time on the Education Council’s July agenda to talk about accomplishments made over the past couple of years.
NEXT MEETING DATE, TIME, LOCATION AND ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the NITC Education Council will be held on Friday, July 15th at Wayne State College. The Statewide Technology Plan Initiatives will also be an agenda item.
With no further business, Mr. Wibbels adjourned the meeting at 11:18 a.m.
Meeting minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Tom Rolfes of the Office of the CIO/NITC.
Meeting Minutes