EDUCATION COUNCIL
of the
NEBRASKA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION

Thursday, June 4, 2009, 1:00-4:00PM CT

Technology Park Auditorium

4701 Innovation Drive , Lincoln , Nebraska

MINUTES

 

VOTING MEMBERS/ALTERNATES PRESENT:

 

Mr. Arnold Bateman, University of Nebraska

Mr. Clark Chandler, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Dr. Michael Chipps, Mid-Plains Community College

Ms. Lois Dietsch, Alt. for Mr. Art Tanderup, Tekamah-Herman Community Schools

Dr. Terry Haack, Bennington Public Schools

Mr. Stephen Hamersky, Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School

Mr. Ed Hoffman, Alt. for Mr. Stan Carpenter, Nebraska State College System

Ms. Yvette Holly, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Mr. Jeff Johnson, Centennial Public Schools

Mr. John Dunning, Alt. for Mr. Dennis Linster, Wayne State College

Mr. Craig Pease, Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools

Dr. Bob Uhing, Educational Service Unit 1

 

LIAISONS/ALTERNATE MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Kathleen Fimple, Alt. for Dr. Marshall Hill, Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education; Ms. SuAnn Witt , Nebraska Dept. of Education, Alt. for Mike Kozak; and Steven Stortz, Norfolk Lutheran Schools , Alt. for Steve Hamersky

 

MEMBERS/LIAISONS ABSENT: Mr. Ron Cone, ESU 10; Dr. Eileen Ely, Western Nebraska Community College; Mr. Chuck Lenosky, Creighton University; Ms. Linda Richards, Ralston 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

 

Dr. Chipps called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.  There were 12 voting members present at the time of roll call.  A quorum existed to conduct official business.  It was stated that the meeting notice was posted to the NITC and the Nebraska Public Meeting Calendar web sites on May 8, 2009.  The meeting agenda was posted to the NITC Web site June 1, 2009.

 

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA FOR THE JUNE 1, 2009 MEETING

 

Mr. Bateman moved approval of the June 1, 2009 meeting agenda.  Mr. Pease seconded.  Roll call vote:  Bateman-Yes, Hoffman-Yes, Chandler-Yes, Chipps-Yes, Haack-Yes, Hamersky-Yes, Holly-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Dunning-Yes, Pease-Yes, Dietsch-Yes, and Uhing-Yes. Results:  Yes-12, No-0.   Motion carried.

 

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 16, 2009 MEETING

 

There was a correction to the meeting minutes.  Dr. Uhing stated that he was at the Wayne State College videoconference site and not at the Kearney site as indicated in the minutes.

 

Dr. Uhing moved approval of the April 16, 2009 minutes with the video site information corrected.  Mr. Hamersky seconded.  Roll call vote: Uhing-Yes, Dietsch-Yes, Pease-Yes, Dunning-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Holly-Yes, Hamersky-Yes, Haack-Yes, Chipps-Yes, Chandler-Yes, Hoffman-Yes, and Bateman-Yes.  Results:  Yes-12, No-0.  Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

There was no public comment.

 

EDUCATION PORTAL UPDATE

Jessica Zywiec, Project Manager, Nebraska.gov

 

The Education Portal was launched on May 27th – www.Nebraska.gov/education/index.shtml.  Some of featured highlights of the web site include:

·         “Latest Legislation and Initiatives” – Citizens will be able to learn about upcoming legislation or initiatives dealing with education.

·         “Tell Us What You Think” – Citizens will be able to provide feedback about the web site.

·          “Request from Colleges” – Potential students will be able to request information from any Nebraska higher education institution.  The request will go directly to the institution.

·         Information Tailored to Fit Your Needs – In this section, citizens will be able to enter a zip code and they will receive a list of educational institutions for all grade levels.

 

Originally, the 2002 Task Group decided to implement a “Request from Colleges” application rather than attempt to develop a universal common admissions application.  A common application was difficult to accomplish due to the requirements needed for the wide variety of programs offered in Nebraska ’s higher education institutions.  It was recommended to include a disclaimer that the college is responsible for responding to the request for information.

 

Members had tried entering zip codes but not all educational entities were listed due to school consolidation.  It did not provide adequate information.  It was suggested that the Department of Education assist with the school zip codes.  The Council also recommended listing all colleges, universities, technical, vocational schools together rather than trying to sort per category. 

 

Ms. Zywiec stated that Nebraska.gov would like to develop a marketing plan to inform private citizens and educational entities about the new web site.  It is hoped that the Governor will do a press release. 

 

Maintenance and updating of web site links will still need to be addressed.  Nebraska.gov will attempt to do their best but will need the assistance of the Council and educators.  The question was asked whether this should be an action item for the Education Council.  Mr. Rolfes recommended that the Education Portal become an action item under the NITC eGovernment Initiative with the Education Council taking a lead role. 

 

Ms. Zywiec asked members to critique the web site and complete the user feedback to assist in the development. She will share any received feedback with the council.

 

Council members were impressed with the improvements and stated that it was a great tool.

 

MEMBERSHIP: CONSIDER FORWARDING THE SLATE OF MEMBERS TO THE NITC FOR THEIR APPROVAL

 

The slate (name and sector representation) for the 2009-11 membership renewals and/or replacements expiring on June 30, 2009 is as follows:

 

Higher Education (2009-11 term)

  • Yvette Holly, UN System (Confirmed)
  • Chuck Lenosky, Independent Colleges & Universities (Confirmed)
  • Mike Chipps, Community College System (Confirmed)
  • Ed Hoffman, State College System (Confirmed)

 

K-12 Education (2009-11 term)

  • Bob Uhing, Educational Service Units (Confirmed)
  • Craig Pease, Administrators (To be confirmed)
  • Leonard Hartman, Public Teachers (Confirmed)
  • Stephen Hamersky, Nonpublic Teachers (To be confirmed)
  • Kent Gydesen, Board Members (Completing Linda Richard’s 2008-10 term - To be confirmed)

 

Mr. Chandler moved to forward the slate of member nominations to the NITC for approval, pending the remaining confirmations.  Mr. Bateman seconded.  Roll call vote: Hamersky-Yes, Holly-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Dunning-Yes, Pease-Yes, Uhing-Yes, Bateman-Yes, Chandler-Yes, Chipps-Yes, Dietsch-Yes, Haack-Yes, and Hoffman-Yes.   Results:  Yes-12, No-0.  Motion carried.

 

The Nebraska Information Technology Commission and the Education Council wish to recognize Mr. Art Tanderup for his many years of distinguished service to the Education Council, in the interest of advising the Commission on matters of education technology initiatives, funding, and policy. We congratulate Mr. Tanderup on his retirement from education.

 

NETWORK NEBRASKA PHASE III UPDATE

Tom Rolfes, Education I.T. Manager

 

The number of Network Nebraska participants has grown from 182 to 232 for the fall 2009 semester.  Lincoln Public Schools , Omaha Public Schools , and Educational Service Unit 3 will also be joining. The membership fee will go from $197.80/month to $192.47/month per entity which includes a packet shaper and access to network management software.  These costs will continue to decrease as more participants join.  There will be a Phase 4 to the project.  In Phase 4, attempts will be made to invite southeast Nebraska schools as well as libraries, zoos, and museums to reach an additional 60 entities.

 

TASK GROUP UPDATE - FUNDING/ERATE

Steve Hamersky

 

The funding group met through e-mail to determine the next steps in terms of the assigned action items D3, N4D, N4E, and N4F.

 

D3 - Develop an affordable plan to provide access to learning management system software for every teacher and learner who uses synchronous video distance learning and to also train teachers in effective instructional design to integrate synchronous and asynchronous technologies.

 

The task group has been determining the extent to which they have responsibility for this action item with what other groups (myeLearning, Distance Education Council) are proposing.  Mr. Hamersky posed the following question, “Does it seem the Funding Group will also become involved in cost allocation of learning management systems?  At this time, it was determined that the funding task group will not be involved in cost allocation of learning management systems.

 

N4D - Develop a formula for E-rate cost allocation that allows affordable fees for adult education and other ineligible population services to take place in K-12 settings.

 

The Funding Group will work to support the E-rate advisory group which is working through the Distance Education Council and the Nebraska Department of Education. SuAnn Witt will be working on a cost allocation tool this summer and plans to meet with her E-rate advisory group in the fall.  The tool will be ready for the 2010 filing year that begins sometime in late November.  Ms. Witt has been working as the state e-rate coordinator to establish a Nebraska eRate Coordination Alliance.

 

N4E - Work to amend Nebraska Department of Education policies to include Pre-K as an eligible population for Universal Service Fund (E-Rate) purposes.

 

The Nebraska Department of Education rules and subsequent policies are derived from Statute and currently the State definition for public education does not include Pre-K.  It seems the Obama administration may be interested in making Pre-K become part of public education.  The Funding Group could consider pursuing advocacy efforts through the Ed Tech Action Network (ETAN) and formal letters, including a letter sent to the Secretary of Education from the NITC, which would be more affective in making this change. Mr. Hamersky asked if there should be a motion that the council should send a periodic letter, such as annually or bi-annually to our 5 federal representatives.

 

Mr. Rolfes stated that the NITC would have to approve any correspondence going out on behalf of the Education Council.  The funding work group will draft a letter for the council’s review and consideration.

 

A preview of any letters will be provided with the Education Council meeting agenda.

 

N4F - 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).

 

The work group has been discussing advocacy methods and timelines of federal E-rate decision making, as well as determining how schools across the state could be involved in advocacy for promoting the use of on-line tools like ETAN (Ed Tech Action Network) http://www.edtechactionnetwork.org/.  With this on-line tool, it is easy to create communications to the representatives (congressional and senatorial).  The Education Council could advocate for the use of this tool, for both E-rate and Title II-D, to other educational groups in Nebraska .

 

Currently the FCC is accepting comments on the E-Rate Eligible Services List (ESL). This is strictly about services and not other E-rate issues such as Pre-K or cost allocation.  Interested parties may file comments on or before June 23, 2009, and reply comments on or before June 30, 2009. All pleadings are to reference CC Docket No. 02-6.

 

The work group has discussed a future possible E-Rate goal of supporting other community activities during non-school hours.  Accredited K-12 schools can support other community activities during non-school hours without the need to factor out the community activity use time from their E-rate funding, if certain conditions are met.  For example, accredited K-12 schools that operate an approved calendar of 1080 hours of on-site instruction where e-rate funded telecommunication services and internal connections are available to students, faculty, and staff to plan and deliver the approved calendar of instruction may use their facilities for other community activities during hours or days not used by K-12 instruction or planning and which may use the e-rate funded services and connections, without the need to factor out the time community activities may be using e-rate funded services and connections.

 

TASK GROUP UPDATE - SERVICES TASK GROUP

 

There were no members present to provide a report.  Mr. Rolfes stated that the Services task group had forwarded a list of services to be posted on the Network Nebraska web site.

 
TASK GROUP UPDATE - MARKETING TASK GROUP

Arnold Bateman

 

The Marketing Task Group utilized the information gathered from the survey to develop the marketing plan.  Due to the timelines associated with the implementation of Phase 4, it was recommended to move up the deadline to communicate with, and invite, the Southeast Nebraska schools.  The “perceived costs” of Network Nebraska to prospective members has been an issue.  Mr. Rolfes stated that the Network Nebraska membership and backbone costs that would have been paid by these southeast school districts for 2008-09, would easily have been offset by the equipment reimbursement, distance education incentives, and Internet cost savings, to the tune of approximately $1.2 million of additional revenue.

 

Mr. Chipps commended the Task Group on the development of the Marketing Plan.  The Task Group would like the Council to discuss their recommendations at a future meeting, especially the establishment of a Membership Committee. The following changes to the Marketing Plan were recommended:

·         Add ‘Assist Nebraska.gov with the Education Portal’ to the recommendations

·         Change timeframes to accelerate Phase IV invitations

 

Dr. Uhing stated he would assist with the formation of a Membership Committee for Network Nebraska .

 

TASK GROUP UPDATE - GOVERNANCE TASK GROUP

Yvette Holly

 

Ms. Holly reported that Ms. Decker would like to have the first meeting of the Advisory Group to be held in July.  The date has tentatively been scheduled for July 22nd.  Ms. Holly requested names of individuals to serve as members.  The information below regarding the Advisory Group was provided to members.

 

Ad Hoc Education Advisory Group for Network Nebraska - Education

  • Representative members of the advisory group must utilize and be members of Network Nebraska .
  • The advisory group should have equal and geographic representation.
  • The advisory group should meet a minimum of six times per year. At the end of the first year, the Chief Information Officer - State of Nebraska and the NITC Education Council should re-evaluate the effectiveness of the advisory group and make recommendations as appropriate.
  • As an advisory group and to foster communication, the members of the Network Nebraska Collaboration Aggregation Partnership (CAP) should be invited to attend a minimum of three of the six meetings per year.
  • The Chief Information Officer - State of Nebraska should attend the first meeting.
  • Each Network Nebraska Education Sector should have two representatives (one urban representative and one rural representative).
  • Advisory group minutes must be shared in a timely manner with the NITC Education Council and the CAP.

 

Dr. Haack left the meeting.

 

Discussion followed regarding the Advisory Group’s charge.  It was not clear in the document so it is difficult for members to recommend individuals to serve on this advisory group. Some members questioned the purpose of the Advisory Group.  As stated in the work group’s document, it appeared that its role is similar to the Education Council’s. Some members said that it would be another layer of bureaucracy. After discussion, the Council recommended the following wording be added for the Advisory Group:

It is the charge of the Network Nebraska Advisory Group to assist the State CIO and the NITC Education Council with crafting a vision and strategic direction for Network Nebraska , and advise the CIO based on the marketing survey and participant input.

 

Mr. Holly stated that she does not have all the nominees and will work with Mr. Rolfes to determine them.  The Higher Education section needs eight representatives.  Dr. Uhing commented that he would like to see representation of the Educational Service Unit--Network Operations Committee be more represented on the advisory group and that K-12 should have 10 representatives, based on the total amount of funding and members that K-12 has, compared to higher education. The Education Council members took no action on this assertion.

 

CONSIDER FORWARDING THE NETWORK NEBRASKA MARKETING PLAN TO THE OCIO AND CAP

 

Mr. Chandler moved to approve and forward the Network Nebraska Marketing Plan to the Office of the CIO and the CAP group.  Mr. Hamersky seconded.  Roll call vote: Dunning-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Holly-Yes, Hamersky-Yes, Chipps-Yes, Chandler-Yes, Hoffman-Yes, Bateman-Yes, Uhing-Yes, Dietsch-Yes, and Pease-Yes.   Results:  Yes-11, No-0.  Motion carried.

 

NETWORK NEBRASKA ADVISORY GROUP

Structure and meeting dates


Consider Membership on the Network Nebraska Advisory Group.  Members of this advisory group will be named by K-12 and Higher education in the next few days and then be invited to the Advisory Group meeting in July. The council took no formal action naming members to the advisory group. Dr. Uhing volunteered to assist K-12 to get its members named.  

 

Dr. Chipps asked if a special Membership Committee could be established to help market Network Nebraska .  Dr. Uhing volunteered to assist.  Other persons recommended by the Council included:  Craig Pease, Superintendent of Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools; Roy Baker, Superintendent of Norris District 160; Leonard Hartman, Technology Director for Alliance Public Schools; and Mr. Bill Heineman, Waverly Schools Superintendent .

 

NITC ACTION ITEMS (to be added)

 

Mr. Rolfes will develop an action item for the Education Portal under eGovernment.  The Education Council will have an opportunity to review the action items again prior to the NITC’s fall meeting.

 

OTHER/ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

There were no other announcements.

 

AGENDA ITEMS AND LOCATION FOR THE 8/XX/2009 MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT

 

The next meeting of the NITC Education Council will be held on August 6th with the location to be determined.  The council requested Task Group Reports remain as an agenda item.

 

With no further business, Dr. Chipps adjourned the meeting at 3:45 p.m.

 

 

The meeting minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Tom Rolfes, Office of the CIO/NITC.