EDUCATION COUNCIL

Nebraska Information Technology Commission
Friday, November 15, 2002
NVCN Sites: Lincoln Executive Building, Kearney, Chadron, Omaha

MINUTES

VOTING MEMBERS/ALTERNATES PRESENT:
Mr. Keith Bartels, Nebraska Association of School Boards
Ms. Yvette Holly, alt.-UNMC
Dr. Jerry Harnisch, alt.-Midland Lutheran College
Mr. Terry Haack, Elkhorn High School
Dr. Jack Huck, Southeast Community College
Dr. Robin Smith, alt.-Chadron State College
Mr. Joe LeDuc, Catholic Diocese of Lincoln
Dr. Robert Manzer, alt.-Nebraska Wesleyan University
Dr. Kent Hendrickson, alt.-University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Dr. Ed Rastovski, Wahoo Public Schools
Mr. Al Schneider, ESU 5
Mr. Dennis Linster, alt.-Wayne State College
Mr. Alan Wibbels, ESU 10

LIAISONS PRESENT:
Mr. Bob Huber, Nebraska Education Telecommunications Commission
Mr. Wayne Fisher, alt.-Nebraska Department of Education

MEMBERS AND LIAISONS NOT PRESENT:
Ms. Linda Engel, Nebraska City Public Schools; Mr. Jeff Johnson, Centennial Public School; Dr. Jerry Moskus, Metropolitan Community College; Ms. Brenda Decker, DAS-Division of Communications; Dr. David Powers, CCPE

CALL TO ORDER, ELECTRONIC POSTING, ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS
Co-Chair, Dr. Jack Huck called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. There were 11 voting members present at the time of roll call. A quorum existed to conduct official business. Dr. Huck stated that the meeting notice was posted to the NITC and the Nebraska Public Meeting Calendar Web sites on October 29, 2002 and that the meeting agenda was posted to the NITC Web site on November 12, 2002.

APPROVAL OF THE MORNING’S AGENDA
Mr. Dennis Linster moved to approve the November 15 agenda. Mr. Bartels seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bartels--yes, Holly--yes, Harnisch--yes, Huck--yes, Smith--yes, Manzer--yes, Hendrickson--yes, Rastovski--yes, Schneider--yes, Linster--yes, Wibbels--yes. All were in favor, motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 18, 2002 MINUTES
Mr. Linster moved to approve the October 18, 2002 minutes as presented. Mr. Bartels seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Bartels--yes, Holly--yes, Harnisch--yes, Huck--yes, Smith--yes, Manzer--yes, Hendrickson--yes, Rastovski--yes, Schneider--yes, Linster--yes, Wibbels--yes. All were in favor, motion carried.

Mr. Terry Haack arrived at 9:16 a.m.
Mr. Joe LeDuc arrived at 9:18 a.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Myrta Hanson, of I-Safe commended the council on what they have been doing for the commission.

WORKGROUP/COMMITTEE REPORTS

Training Advisory Workgroup - There was no report from the Training Advisory Workgroup.

NET Distance Learning Report - Mr. Bob Huber reported on NET Distance Learning by using the handout (Excel 118k) he distributed. He stated that both Network 2 and 3 hours are up from September to October. The 2002-2003 NEB*SAT Network 2 Hours of Service are up, raising the monthly total for October. In addition, monthly totals for October Neb*Sat classes has increased to 864.

UPDATE-- NEBRASKA EDUCATION PORTAL
Mr. Tom Rolfes stated that he would continue to receive comments about the format and content of the portal until 4:00 p.m. on November 21, 2002. There is a potential January 1 “go live date” for the portal. Mr. Rolfes will take all comments to Nebrask@Online. He asked that Education Council members comment on all elements of the portal, including content categories, navigational characteristics, and the development process.

DISCUSSION: NEBRASKA NETWORK FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS (Word 172k)

Mr. Rolfes stated that the October 28 Network Architecture Work Group meeting with Brenda Decker did occur with past NAWG members present. Ms. Decker, Mr. Walter Weir, and Mr. Rolfes gave presentations about the current initiatives and then gathered feedback about the NAWG and the Statewide network.

Mr. Rolfes instructed members to reference the organizational chart (PDF 66k). The revised chart has both a Network Policy Work Group (NPWG) and a Network Architecture Work Group (NAWG) collaborating with the Collaborative Aggregation Partnership (CAP). Mr. Rolfes clarified their roles by stating that the NPWG is policy input, the CAP is operational and the NAWG is technical input.

A draft charter for the NPWG (Word 30k) was presented to the members. Mr. Rolfes asked members to review the charter language and meeting times/frequency in the charter. Dr. Huck asked that the council members send comments to Mr. Rolfes via e-mail.

Mr. Dennis Linster stated that the revision was a significant step in the right direction. He suggested eliminating the parentheses from around the words “policy input, operational, and technical input” and they be boldfaced for further role clarification. He mentioned that these simple words are the scope and drive of each group. Mr. Linster also suggested seeking a full-time employee whose purpose would be grant writing and seeking funds for the network. At the present time, this vision might not be realistic with the current budget status. He asked all council members to start thinking of ways to save money for the network.

Mr. Rolfes stated that the new organizational chart would be on both Community Council and State Government Council agendas. He asked if the council would endorse this organizational chart as presented and confirm that it is going in the right direction.

Dr. Manzer expressed that this organizational chart is more about the centralized model. Mr. Linster described the network as being a “point of attachment” and all entities will still govern their own network.

Dr. Hendrickson mentioned that the problem is that the CAP group doesn’t have a reporting structure except for the two groups. Steve Schafer, Chief Information Officer entered the conversation and offered some explanation. Mr. Schafer stated that CAP is an operational entity; there can’t be an arrow between CAP and the NITC, because the NITC is not an operational entity. He stated that CAP could be considered a start until we define the long-range management and responsibilities. It was suggested to add the word “interim” to the Network Policy Work Group to denote a sense of review.

Mr. Wibbels suggested moving down the CAP, so the NPWG and the NAWG could interact and the CAP could receive input from them, thus creating a triangular communication link between the three.

Mr. Linster moved to have the council endorse the basic arrangement of the organizational chart and network structure and declare that the Nebraska Network input structure is moving in the right direction. Dr. Manzer seconded. Discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Bartels--yes, Holly--yes, Harnisch--yes, Haack--yes, Huck--yes, Smith--yes, LeDuc--yes, Manzer--yes, Hendrickson--yes, Rastovski--yes, Schneider--yes, Linster--yes, Wibbels--yes. All were in favor, motion carried.

RECOMMENDATION 12----Statewide Synchronous Work Group

Mr. Michael Beach is the Technical Panel sponsor of the Statewide Synchronous Video Work Group (PDF 69k). Mr. Beach stated that he would be glad to dedicate his time to the work group activities if the involved entities consider it a worthwhile venture. He will spend time getting support from the potential membership and entities involved. The membership may be about 12 people to represent the various subsectors with additional opportunities to work on specific tasks. Mr. Beach wanted to know from council members if the draft charter adequately described the charge of the work group and their suggestions for participants.

Mr. Linster moved to endorse the Statewide Synchronous Video Work Group charter and to come back next meeting with additional comments or modifications and a suggested list of participants. Dr. Rastovski seconded the motion. Discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Bartels--yes, Holly--yes, Harnisch--yes, Haack--yes, Huck--yes, Smith--yes, LeDuc--yes, Manzer--yes, Hendrickson--not present, Rastovski--yes, Schneider--yes, Linster--yes, Wibbels--yes. All were in favor, motion carried.

RECOMMENDATION 13
Mr. Rolfes referenced the list of value-added services under Recommendation 13 of the document. He recommended that the Education Council members and alternates to familiarize themselves with the list of services. He mentioned that at least 3 applications of the list are being worked on right now in various parts of the state.

DISCUSSION: EDUCATION COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS (Word 31k) FOR STATEWIDE TECH PLAN.
Mr. Rolfes referenced both the Education Council Priorities and Action Items for 2002-2003 and the Amended Items. He asked if the council would be comfortable adopting the amended action items today. Dr. Huck Jack wanted suggestions and comments about the amended EC priorities such as EC 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 6.1 (Word 35k).

Mr. Linster motioned to approve the EC Priorities and Action Items as Amended. Dr. Manzer seconded the motion. Discussion.

Roll Call Vote: Bartels--yes, Holly--yes, Harnisch--not present, Haack--yes, Huck--yes, Smith--yes, LeDuc--yes, Manzer--yes, Hendrickson--yes, Rastovski--yes, Schneider--yes, Linster--yes, Wibbels--yes. All were in favor, motion carried.

ASSIGN WORK GROUP TO ADMISTER EC ACTION ITEMS
Mr. Rolfes asked the council members and alternates to decide which of the seven groups each would like to volunteer. It was suggested to assign groups electronically unless there was a request today. There will be a task group session held at the December 13, 2002 meeting. Dr. Huck asked for responses by December 6, to prepare for the December 13, 2002 meeting.

Dr. Rastovski verbally requested 2.1. Dr. Manzer verbally requested 6.1. Dr. Hendrickson may be interested in 3.1.

CONFIRM LOCATIONS FOR DECEMBER AND JANUARY MEETINGS
The next Education Council meeting will be held in the Student Center of Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. The room will posted, however it is close to the cafeteria.

The January 17, 2003 meeting may be hosted by Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET).

ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Haack moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Linster seconded the motion. Members agreed with voice vote. Meeting adjourned.

Meeting minutes were taken Jen Soucie Kitt of the NITC and reviewed by Tom Rolfes, Education IT Manager.

Meeting Minutes