March 2, 2017 at 8:30 AM - Regular Meeting

Discussion: 

Call to order at 8:30 AM

Staff:  David Ludwig, Deb Hericks, Beth Kabes, Craig Peterson

 

Discussion:  Jeff Cole, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation presented to the Board. They were also recipients of an Innovation Grant.  The work with kids after school, summer time experience.  They will partner with five school districts and Extension and NE Community Foundation.  This will help align after school programs with AQuESTT tenets.  Using strategic finance and leadership along with programming and data tools. They will developing curriculum for these programs.  This will help develop a tool box that can be used across the state.  ESUCC will like to partner with them on this project. 

Discussion:  Rob Residori, Brightbytes was present to discuss the the realignment process.  The process of service mapping:  needs assessment, design and development, feedback and adjustment, and delivery.  How to begin to align through service design, research and development, Planning and Alignment.  Have Susan Ledek walk through the ESUCC through this process.  The next ESUCC and NDE planning session in April we will start to focus more on the data.  Brightbytes would help us work through unpacking the data and use to inform our practice using our services that we provide to schools.  Work to get everyone working on the same page.  The currently look at the early warning data:  academics, attendance, behaviors, demographics.  This can be done through the dashboard.  How to show the growth?  How do we look at graduation?  How do Districts define career and college pathways?  Create a state model to define statewide success.  Continually monitor a students progress, the services we give locally and services that NDE provides.  Digital privacy, safety and security - takes a look at policies, programs, systems, incident responses.  They will credit for the 21 Century agreement towards another module.  How can we have a single contract through the ESUCC.  What other days can we look at metrics and build on the already movement we have in the state.  Three programs to offer:  21st ESA module (we already use), Digital Privacy or Early Warning
 - we can use the credit to move into one of the other modules. 

Discussion:  Greg Long with EHA was present to discuss the EHA and health benefits and offerings available to ESUs and schools.  EHA premiums are steady when other premiums are more than doubling.  If school boards are reelected the have 30 days to opt in or at every year on open enrollment.  If you are on EHA at least 5 years prior to retirement your spouse is also available to be on insurance.  You will have insurance until the age of 65. 

Discussion:  Executive Director shared discussions from the Federal Advocacy meeting in Washington DC.  Based upon the survey completed prior to the meeting they identified five priority areas: IDEA, ESSA, Early Childhood, Teachers Shortages, and FCC Erate.  They eventually narrowed down to three, ESSA, Teacher Shortages, and FCC Erate.  Joan Wade will send updates on a monthly basis.  Infinity Groups are starting their work.  BlendEd/Distance Education Director shared that she is on an Infinity Group that works with Blended Learning along with using technology and resources.  The are surveying members for this group.  There is another one for EdFi and Special Education.   Encourage ESU staff to join an infinity group.  

Discussion:  Executive Director discussed the need to start a spreadsheet to begin a mentoring program for new administrators.  This will help with the transition our new administrators.  Make this a more formalized process.  On April 5th, there will be short board meeting and at 10:00 AM we begin the NDE collaboration meeting.  Send topics of discussion to Executive Director. 

Discussion:  Executive Director reviewed the presentation calendar.  We will continue to update this spreadsheet as we move into the future. 

Discussion:  He discussed the Draft Budget Report that will include cash reserves that can spell out the total budget to include core funds, levy funds, contracts, etc. 

Discussion:  Buffet Early Childhood Institute - we will work with them on early childhood education.   

Discussion:  Executive Director reviewed the need to request information from ESUs regarding cash reserves, facilities, etc.  Executive Director reviewed the spreadsheet that been begun to gather this information for each ESU.  Cash reserves are used for paying forward on grants, facilities and others so we need to gather this information as well.  Please give input on the spreadsheet to the Executive Director.  Discussions regarding what the story needs to be reported around cash reserves.  Maybe a short video clip to show our efficiencies delivered by the superintendents.  Maybe a letter from the ESUCC signed by Board to follow-up the individual ESU letters.  Try to get everyone telling the same story using the same language.  Have more information available for our champion lobbyist to use to benefit us.  Share more information with lobbyist to help them tell our story. 

Discussion:  Executive Director shared some information from LB389 and Verizon would like to put small 5G cell devices in areas of need.  Review the document for details on Verizon's plan.  They want to promote student learning, virtual reality, student wireless backpacks, etc.  There will be grant opportunities in the future to apply for grants to help with some projects we might have in the future.  Continue discussion with Mike Bagley with Verizon regarding this legislative bill.

Discussion:   Executive Director discussions with the Omaha Archdiocese regarding them joining NWEA/MAPS.  The Archdiocese would like to use the MAP materials.  She has shared the schools that this may impact.  KSB shared statutorily how the ESUCC should help support the non-public sector.  We will need to have an agreement between us and the entities.  

Discussion:  Executive Director shared the the calendar has been vetted through affiliates and committees.  ESU 2 offered to host the March meeting due to ESU 11 Administrator being new next year.  The committee would like this meeting to stay west of Metro.  There have been two additional meetings added to the calendar for the Legislative Committee (summer and before legislative session)

Discussion:  There was no public comment.

Discussion:  Committee Chair shared that the Innovative Grant budget will need new coding and we will be using funds that we allotted in case of Federal Grant to cover for this year.  Chair also shared the budget and biennium budget discussions. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed the claims, financials statements, and assets. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed expenses to be paid in March 2017.

Discussion:  Discussion regarding Spectrum Business to pay when due to avoid continually having late fees until Board has had time to review policies.  Billing for Spectrum Business usually occurs in the middle of the month with a two week window to make payment.  Our recommendation is to allow us to pay the invoice when due and have approval of that payment at the next ESUCC meeting.  We are reviewing ESUCC Policies at this time.

Discussion:  Committee shared discussions held in Committee.  Chair congratulated ESUCC on receiving the Innovation Grant.  He also shared some stats with the Dashboard, single sign on, etc.  Infinite Campus is near ready to be on the Dashboard.  Tyler Technologies is working toward being ready.  School Master is having difficulties and continue to work with NDe. 

Discussion:  Learn360 has given us a revision of our contract which will lower the original price.  The next year contract will be a fourteen month contract to get us aligned with our fiscal year. 

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding NOC budget requests. 

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding TLT budget requests.

Discussion:  Discussion was held regarding BlendEd Initiative budget requests.

Discussion:  Committee shared discussion in committee.  Coop Director gave updates with discussion held with other states to participate in our annual buy.  The staff is working on getting the Food Bid ready to go out for bid.  He reviewed the Admin Fee and possibilities of changing the fees we receive.  Paper Buy and Annual Buy are both currently open for ordering. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair shared discussion from committee meting.  the Committee discussed the NDE Strategic Plan. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair shared discussion in committee.  Continued to work/discuss teletherapy.  Conversation with Circle of Friends coming under ESUCC is on hold as new leadership.  SRS/AAP is working on connecting to the ADVISER.  Project-Para is working on new website. 

Discussion:  Recommend approval of SRS Admin fee ($5500) and Tier Fees (5% increase) as presented. ILCD is listed as a Special Project, do we need to keep in MSA for this year and modify next year. 

Discussion:  Executive Director discussed the currently legislative session and several bills that we are currently watching.  LB22 has been signed and 2% cut on Core Services and none on Distance Ed.  There were some cuts for some special need areas.  LB 219 - Defined Benefit Programs are meeting with scrutiny, Kolterman is working to keep program in tact the Defined Benefit.  LB 327 is the biennial budget which will include another 1% budget cut.  The NDE Agency hearing is on March 7, 2017 at 1:30.  Working with Commissioner on Strategy.  LB 484 is Sen. Kolowski bill to review new funding system in the state.  LB 552 - behavior health hearing will be on March 17, 2017.  LB 569 - changes in teacher certificates.  LB595 - fiscal restraint has had some amendments to bill.  LB 664 is the lobbyist bill, we will continue to watch this bill.  LB 409 is Senator Groene - change the base limitations and local effort bill.  The hearing is on March 6, 2017.  The ESU Legislative Day went very well.  We have had positive feedback from both Senators and ESUs. 

Discussion:  There is no at this this time.