EDUCATION COUNCIL
Nebraska Information Technology Commission
Friday, March 17, 2006, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT
Conestoga Room of the Story Student Center
Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln
APPROVED MINUTES

VOTING MEMBERS/ALTERNATES PRESENT:

Mr. Dennis Baack, alt. for Jack Huck, Nebraska Community College System
Mr. Clark Chandler, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Mr. Ron Cone, Educational Service Unit 10
Dr. Terry Haack, Bennington Public Schools
Ms. Yvette Holly, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Mr. Jeff Johnson, Centennial Public Schools
Mr. Joe LeDuc, Catholic Diocese of Lincoln
Mr. John Dunning, Alt. for Dennis Linster, Wayne State College
Mr. Chuck Lenosky, Creighton University
Mr. Rich Molettiere, Omaha North High School
Mr. Ed Rastovski, Wahoo Public Schools

LIAISON/ALTERNATES MEMBERS PRESENT:

Ms. Brenda Decker, Chief Information Officer
Mr. Terry Dugas, Alt. for Mike Winkle, NET
Dr. Kathleen Fimple, Informational representative for Dr. Marshall Hill, Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Mr. Wayne Fisher, Alt. for Mike Kozak, Department of Education
Mr. Mike Kozak, Department of Education
Mr. Mike Winkle, NET

MEMBERS/LIAISONS ABSENT:  Arnold Bateman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Stan Carpenter, Nebraska State College System: Dr. Jack Huck, Southeast Community College; Linda Richards, Ralston Public Schools; and Mr. Al Schneider, Educational Service Unit 5

Others Present:  William Scheideler, Dr. Jim Zempke, Walter Weir

CALL TO ORDER, ELECTRONIC POSTING, ROLL CALL, INTRODUCTIONS

Dr. Huck called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.  Roll call was taken.  A quorum of nine voting members was present to conduct official business.  It was stated that the meeting notice was posted to the NITC Web and the Nebraska Public Meeting Calendar website on January 21, 2006, and that the meeting agenda was posted to the NITC Web site on March 14, 2006.

Jeff Johnson arrived at the meeting at 9:07 a.m.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA FOR THE MARCH 17, 2006 MEETING

Ms. Holly moved to approve the March 17, 2006 agenda as presented.  Mr. Dunning seconded.  Roll call vote: Chandler-Yes, Cone-Yes, Haack-Yes, Holly-Yes, Johnson-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Dunning-Yes, Lenosky-Yes, Molettiere-Yes, and Rastovski-Yes.  Results:  Yes-10, No-0.  Motion carried.

Dennis Baack arrived at the meeting at 9:10 a.m.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 20, 2006 MEETING

Mr. Rastovski moved to approve the January 20, 2006 minutes presented.  Mr. Chandler seconded.  Roll call vote:  Rastovski-Yes, Molettiere-Yes, Dunning-Yes, Lenosky-Yes, LeDuc-Yes, Johnson-Yes, Holly-Yes, Haack-Yes, Cone-Yes, Chandler-Yes, and Baack-Yes. Results:  Yes-11, No-0.  Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

DEMONSTRATION: DIVISION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES WEBSITE
Sam Fifer, Information Management Services

The NITC requested a new website design that is more robust and easier to navigate and find information. The new design will follow the same basic design as the new Information Technology Services web site. The URL, www.nitc.state.ne.us/index-new.html  was given to members to review the site more in-depth.  Staff would like feedback from the council members.  The web site has been tested for accessibility and browser friendliness.  Mr. Cone recommended Safari browser testing as well.  A timeline for the official launch has not been established.  The Education Council is the first group to see the prototype.  The NITC will view the web site at their May 1st meeting. Network Nebraska also has a related website located at www.networknebraska.net . 

NITC REPORT
Brenda Decker, Chief Information Officer, State of Nebraska

1/27/06 NITC meeting:  The CIO testified at the LB 1208 hearing in a neutral capacity.  Action items from the councils were approved for the statewide technology plan.  The Education Council’s membership changes and revised charter were approved.  There are four NITC Commissioners whose terms are expiring: Greg Adams, Dr. Eric Brown, Merill Bryan, and Dr. Doug Christensen.  Dr. Janie Park and Dr. Doug Kristensen have been confirmed to serve on the NITC.

LB 921.  On Monday, March 13th, LB 921 was signed.  This legislation gives the CIO oversight authority of the operational and policy aspects of information technology services for state government – Division of Communications and Information Management Services.

DISCUSSION: LB 1208
Tom Rolfes, Education I.T. Manager

Education Committee Statement .   The Education Committee raised several important questions about LB 1208 before voting it out of committee and indicated that much work still has to be done.  Amendment 2721 (not in packet) will be discussed.  The Education Innovation Fund program will be funded up to 2.8 million dollars between 2007 and 2015 (sunset of 1208).  On February 13th, LB 1208 was heard in committee.  Verbal and written testimonies were given.

Amendments: AM 2565 (Education Committee); AM 2640 (withdrawn) (Sen. Thompson) to abstract ½ of lottery monies; AM 2688 to AM 2565 (Sen. Raikes).

Mr. Winkle was present to explain AM 2688.  LB689 allowed NET to lease satellite resources to the state and use funds to enhance the system.  These funds created the first digitization (NET3).  Time has passed since the original legislation and much has happened with transponders, transponders leasing/space.  The language in statute was restricted. NET sought the Attorney General’s opinion and gave favorable ruling that the statute was archaic.  Cable and broadcasting providers wanted to include two phrases.  Local television production companies and Cable companies did not want NET to open opportunity to take a national channel service and transmit. LB 949 was introduced to clean-up language of an old statute and then was added to LB 1208 as AM 2688.  It does not affect Network Nebraska efforts.

Mr. Rolfes stated that even though federal funding has been zeroed out and e-rate is under jeopardy, LB 1208 as it is written would most likely put Nebraska as one of the top five in the country for the percentage of high bandwidth connectivity to schools. Currently, Utah may be first and Iowa second.  Nebraska may be able to apply for a statewide e-rate for schools that may be interested.  Senators did not want to make this mandatory.

Mr. Rolfes shared successful advocacy stories.  Council members and their sectors were commended for their efforts. 

The CIO/NITC office will be tracking the bill and will keep council members informed.  Senators will be discussing whether Class A or B schools open their classrooms to smaller schools that lack highly qualified teachers in various subject areas. The Distance Education Council membership, as described in LB 1208, has not changed so there is still no non-K12 representatives or liaisons.

DISCUSSION: STATEWIDE TECHNOLOGY PLAN (76 PGS NOT IN PRINT PDF ABOVE) NITC INITIATIVES & EDUCATION COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS

Standards setting by the NITC Technical Panel is indicated in LB 1208.  The Technical Panel approved the following two draft standards for the 30-day public comment period.  After the 30-day comment period, the Technical Panel will review any recommended changes prior to forwarding on to the NITC for final approval.  The public comment deadline is April 14th.

SSVN: Network Edge Device Standard for Entities Choosing to Connect to Network Nebraska

The standard (recommending a switch from an internet access to an IP address access) was developed for new purchases that will occur in the near future.  Members were concerned with the length of time that the state’s procurement process requires.  This has been discussed.  The CIO has said that there is ample time to complete the bids in time for state entities to purchase off of the master contract and still have time for delivery and installation in summer 2007.

SSVN: Scheduling Standard for Synchronous Distance Learning and Videoconferencing

On February 3rd, the Statewide Synchronous Video work group held a meeting.  Any state agency and education entity utilizing videoconferencing was invited to discuss the features and needs of a statewide scheduling system.  Some of those in attendance included members of the Telehealth Sub-committee, the Military Department, and the Nebraska Department of Education.  A standard was developed. It is believed that no one vendor will be able to provide everything in the standard. As the bid specification is written, it will contain an evaluation instrument that will rate the “must have” and “like to have” elements of a web-based system. An event or course exchange clearinghouse is needed to be up and running by December 2006.  Software specifications must require interoperability of the current list of codes utilized by the State.  The H.263/H.264 standard may need an addendum to cover far-end device control and collaborative features.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Rolfes and Dr. Haack have been nominated to run for election on the ISTE Board.

NEXT MEETING AGENDA, DATE AND LOCATION AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

A demonstration from the Southwest Consortium was requested as an agenda Items for the May 19th meeting to be held at Mid Plains Community College in North Platte, Nebraska.  Videoconferencing will be available. 

Chuck Lenosky volunteered to host the July 21st meeting.  Mr. Rolfes will be out of state and will not be able to attend the July meeting. 

Mr. Dunning moved to adjourn the meeting.  Mr. Chandler seconded.  All were in favor. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:29 a.m.