November 16, 2016 at 8:30 AM - Regular Meeting

Discussion: 

Call to order at 8:30 AM.

Staff:  David Ludwig, Deb Hericks,, Craig Ludwig, Priscilla Quintana, Scott Isaacson

Guests:  Dr Blomstedt, Freida Lange, Mike Delaney, Deb Paulman, Gregg Robke (for Jon Fisher)

Discussion:  Commissioner Blomstedt was present to discuss the biennial budget and legislative session.  Commissioner will be going to Washington to met with the Trump transition team.  NDE has been working on their new ESSA plan.  Commissioner appreciates the partnership with ESUs.  There is uncertainty on the changes that will happen come January with new federal leadership. 

Discussion:  Mike Delaney, NCSA was present to discuss legislation and NE Loves Public Schools.  NCSA is proud to work with the ESUCC administrators.  The Speaker and the Education chair will both be new his year and will play an important role for us.  Please contact each Senator and ask for stable leadership in committees.  Retirement is stable - 82% funding ratio and climbing, no arch is expected.  We need to have all groups working together - NDE, ESUCC, NCSA, NSEA, NASB, etc.  - no one group standing alone.  There is a group of each stakeholder that meet on a regular basis to discuss issues.  NE Loves Public Schools is a good source for marketing our purpose.  They are out to help promote public schools, ESU, to get their voice heard.  Get "OUR" stories to them to help promote. 

Discussion:  Frieda Lange/Karen Haase were present to continue discussion regarding Rule 10.  Purpose of Rule 10 is assure equity of opportunities, encourage quality learning, and support accountability.  Rule 10 is about the opportunities a school must make available for all students.  High School graduation requirements make this available for our students.  Competency base education/performance based courses are already within Rule 10.  As long as there is a certificated educator connected to activity/course in order to qualify.  Instructional Units must be on a school schedule, but school can accept credit for individual student based on local policy.  Blended opportunities need to including gating and sequencing. 

Discussion:  President discussed AESA and representative who will join us in January. 

Discussion:  Executive Director discussed the AESA State Exec Meeting was held in DesMoine, Iowa.  AESA redesign document is attached, for review before Joan Wade's visit to our January meeting.  How do we (ESUs, AEAs, etc.) market ourselves nationwide as well as locally?  We need to be more active and engaged at both levels.  How to build more capacity with less funds.  The AESA State Execs will be meeting face to face twice a year and via Zoom on a monthly basis.   

Discussion:  Executive Director and Technology Director met with the NATA (Nebraska Association of Technology Administrators).  This group wants to work more closely with the ESUCC in order to help each other out. 

Discussion:  Executive Director discussed the NITC GIS Software.  This would be the group who did the state wide ESU maps.  Discussion with Tom Rolfes discussed their website and the possibilities of what this website can do for us.  We can work with them to get more maps that we need - political/election districts boundary's, early childhood, etc.  More information to follow. 

Discussion:  President reviewed discussion in committee.  Executive Director discussed the Innovative Grant and shared the project summary for the per-application process.  Reviewed the five areas of need/support of our grant.  We will move forward to complete the full application process.  Our grant is more service/support based than personnel.  We will work with legal to write a intellectual property policy/procedure.  Executive Director discussed the procedure manuals of the projects.  We will have the first reading in January and with approval in February. 

Discussion:  There was no public comment.

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed the reports with Board. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed budget reports with committee. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed October expenses with committee. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed the discussions in committee.  SEC is requesting comment on ERATE availability for students at home.  Office of CIO is discussing the possibility of becoming the statewide contract holder, they would in turn invoice schools.  NOC had a great meeting last week.  They do not have by-laws and will be working on them throughout this year. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed the diagram for the NebraskaCloud SSO (single sign on) Hosting.  The NOC group realize that Technology Director has most knowledge but realize that they need to step in and help him by being more active in helping schools before they go to directly to the Technology Director. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed discussion in committee.  Please share reports with schools.  We save on an average of 33% by using the annual buy.  Discussion we be forthcoming regarding the vendor fee we charge. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed discussions in committee..  Jim Knight will be presenting in January.  NDE will be providing VST training on December 1-2.  Larianne Polk reviewed the Service Matrix Plan and how it links with AQuESTT. 

Discussion:  Committee chaired reviewed discussion in committee.  Behavioral Health committee will continue to find time to meet to discuss survey.  They will be having a summit of all stakeholders to get everyone one going the same direction so not to waste resources.  The summit will be simulcasted to three locations.  SLP shortage continues to be discussed for options to help facilitate this shortage.  Updates on SRS and AAP process, hoping to finish Zend Conversion by the end of the month. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair shared discussion in committee.  They had presentations from KSB on TIF, Open Sky, and Bromm and Associates.  TIF discussion was recorded and available for review.  Discussion on projections on upcoming legislative season.  We will focus on efficiency this year.  The ESU day will be held on February 23, 2016 from 10:00-1:00PM. 

Discussion:  There was no public comment.