May 6, 2014 at 12:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Meeting was called to order at 12:32 PM. Visitors: Ted Deturk, Dan Schnoes, Ruth Miller (here for Mowinkel).

Discussion:  No report given.

Discussion:  Wayne Bell reported San Diego Conference is open for registration for December. Michael Soules would like to meet with those interested.

Discussion:  Jeff West reviewed changes (NWEA, NMPDS) to document.

Discussion:  Review and submit for approval of meeting dates for 2014-2015. May 2015, finalizing with ESU 10.

Discussion:  Reviewed structure and put NWEA as TBD for Scott Isaacson and Dave Ludwig to work with Strategists.

Discussion:  Need to add Ted DeTurk as ESU 2 Administrator with his information.

Discussion:  Marge Beatty reviewed the protocol to be used by ESUCC for meeting procedures. Proper vetting of discussion items; come forth from affiliate to CEO who will decline, return to affiliate for further information, or assign to ESUCC Committee for review and finally brought to ESUCC Board for finally review/approval. Review process/item and bring forth the following meeting. Revise document/flowchart and review at Exec Committee meeting on June 4 at 10:00.

Discussion:  Review ESUCC calendar for 2014-2015. Adopted from ESU 17 calendar.

Discussion:  Scott Isaacson reviewed some changes needed on the Master Service Agreement for 2014-2015. Bring forth to ESUCC for review. PDO will bring forth their amount and Coop will recommend the fee percentage out of their committee meetings.

Discussion:  Scott Isaacson met with Harding & Schultz last week to start discussion on policy and procedures. Executive Committee meeting for further review to be held on June 4, 10:00 AM at NCSA Office in Lincoln.

Discussion:  Dave Ludwig reviewed the Vision Worksheet. Freida Lange shared a document that contained the input from the collaboration meeting on April 3, 2014. Exec Committee will refine at June 4 meeting.

Discussion:  Given my Scott Isaacson, interim Executive Director.

Discussion:  We want to build upon solid & realistic plans for support of existing & new projects to ensure our responsiveness & that we deliver on our users' expectations and commitments we have made in providing service to them. This starts with getting the basic services right and performing smoothly in areas such as support, infrastructure, backups, and documentation. We will develop detailed project plans, timelines, tracking, and documentation for projects and ongoing work. The IssueView system is installed and being configured. That technology and associated processes will help us ensure users get timely responses and we are coordinated about how we escalate and resolve issues.

Discussion:  We need to work to raise transparency of projects and trust in the “system” through increased involvement of affiliate groups and users. Open, regular evaluations of projects & needs will also help in this area. Ideally we develop a team approach to support, with input, control and responsibility shared.

Discussion:  Scott Isaacson is working towards aligning planning across affiliates, committees, etc. We need to work in concert and parallel, so that we’re delivering technology services that make a difference in outcomes for our students.

Discussion:  Dennis Radford reviewed the Project Summary report with committee.

Discussion:  There were no requests to be heard from the public at this time.

Discussion:  The final audit report is attached to the meeting. ESU 8 and ESU 6 were also audited this year.

Discussion:  Scott and Rhonda have been working with Chris Watson to sort through the final charges that apply for this past year and to establish costs for the upcoming fiscal year. The Safari Montage team is working through some Edcast issues for ESU 13 with the Learn360 links. Rhonda has started to EdCast more Nebraska titles and will monitor that transfer. We are slowly progressing in having current issues resolved.

Discussion:  This summer, Scott plans to work with NOC on statewide projects beginning with high-level design of basic services and needs in May, and plan to review/revise in the summer. Identity Management - writing specs for user provisioning system, will evaluate solutions including YAMS; Will be completing initial work for data dashboard system in about 3 weeks, then begin integration testing; Letter from Brenda Decker stating that Network Nebraska will not add the Identity Management funding as discussed and proposed to NNAG. We will continue the discussion about where this work should be supported and collaborate on ways to accomplish building this foundation statewide. The IssueView ticket system is installed and being configured for ESUCC projects. An NDE Inter-local agreement being drafted to formalize work we undertake together.

Discussion:  Renovo - we are discontinuing the Renovo contract. The committee agrees that ESUCC can continue to host the Renovo software for individual ESUs or participants who want to license the software on their own. Community colleges who are offering dual-credit courses may put content on the ESU Safari servers and could pursue licenses on an ESU area server.

Discussion:  Is pursuing a new agreement with Blackboard to reduce ongoing costs and will use a Doodle poll to schedule summer training for ESU staff who will then be able to provide support for their area schools. We look at 2014-15 as a year for RFI and side-by-side comparison of efforts. It was noted that support has been the largest problem with the existing system and will need to be addressed whether through the vendor or a distributed system. LMS is changing rapidly and Eric will work to provide frequent updates for stakeholders.

Discussion:  Dave and BlendEd chairs have meetings planned with Senator Scheer and Senator Sullivan.

Discussion:  See also Eric's staff report above. BlendEd is watching evaluation processes at Omaha Public Schools and ESU 11 and will make recommendations for future evaluations or action based on those outcomes.

Discussion:  See Ron's attached report. Chad DeWester is the NOC Chair for 2014-15 and Mike Danahy was elected Recorder. The group continues to look at opportunities for statewide collaboration and has asked for project plans and design documents for the Identity Management work. Ron report: May 6, 2014 - NOC Summary Report Identity Management Project (IdM) 1. Visualization of the Project needed a. diagram of components b. project scope and definition c. Timeline and key drivers (Data Dashboard) 2. How do we move it forward? a. talking points for discussion b. policies and compliance needs c. discussion with affected entities (NATA) Network Nebraska Bidding process concerns (Best and Final Offer and lack of benefits) Pre-bid vendor meetings Summer circuit planning Preliminary costs Training Ubiquiti AirMax - November 12 & 13 - Columbus Consolidation of Services DNS, NTP would be quick/easy SPAM & email security (Cisco IronPort) SIS & LMS & SAFARI modules were mentioned NOC Leadership Chad DeWester – NOC Chair Mike Danahy – NOC Recorder Gary Needham – NOC Liaison to ESUPDO Ron Cone – Network Nebraska Advisory Group (K12) rep for Mike Danahy

Discussion:  It was noted that the contract negotiations are now complete. Coop is in the implementation phase with supplier catalogs for year around ordering.

Discussion:  It is too early to tell what the sales numbers will be for the Annual Buy at this juncture. I will be able to provide numbers at next weeks meeting. We are working on assisting schools in the finalization of their transactions. We have had some complaints about early shipments and errors in shipment from School Specialty. These issues have been addressed and School Specialty is identifying the effected parties and taking corrective action. The general response has been very positive in regards to the new system. We are collecting all comments received in hopes to better refine the terms and conditions for next years bid. Some schools still have items in the checkout phase. Coop staff will be working to finalize everything and determine total sales for the 2014 Annual Buy. Calvert asked about billing for the Annual Buy. It was noted that the payment terms are Net 45 days. However, some vendors have started shipping and billing. Fisher asked if bills received now, should be paid now. Kip informed the committee that June 1st is the first possible day for delivery, therefore, invoices do not need to be paid until July 15th. It was also noted that the delivery deadline will be extended by one week, because the ordering was extended one week.

Discussion:  The Staples catalog was made available on 5/1/2014 for live transactions in a few instances and was pushed out to all schools on the May 2nd. School Specialty, Gov Connection, Quill, and Amsan all have credentials for a multitude of locations and should be going live shortly. MNJ Technologies is having release issues with our cart conversion piece that requires all orders to be released through ESM. This issue is being worked on and should be resolved soon. Sysco is migrating to a new platform in July. The credentials are being built so that testing can begin immediately and the catalog should be live for the opening of the 2014-2015 school year. Coop staff will continue to add offerings to the shop page to meed the needs of Nebraska schools.

Discussion:  Coop staff is collecting all school recommendations and requests of the systems functionality. Upon the close of the Annual Buy we will survey schools to see what is most important to them. Kip has spoken with Dan Corazzi (ESM’s CEO) and he has indicated that they will work with us on the development of these requests within a reasonable manner. These developments will not come at any additional cost.

Discussion:  The new reporting tool is in testing in our training environment. Once it is ready for deployment (one to two weeks) we will provide access to schools and create a video tutorial that will be hosted on our shop page along with a host of additional video resources.

Discussion:  School Specialty was fulfilling the delivery of product prior to the terms and conditions requirements. Thus, no school will be obligated to acknowledge receipt prior to June 1st with the bid calling for NET 45 day terms. Coop staff will be available throughout the summer to assist schools with any delivery issues and questions.

Discussion:  The deployment of Issue View has been slow moving. Coop staff hopes to be implementing this tool by mid-May to track shipping/product issues.

Discussion:  Kip would like to create a committee of school officials to aid in determining what schools need in the future.

Discussion:  Kip was asked to speak with other AEPA member states on discovering and exploring possible universal needs, and adoption of a unified E-Procurement software. Kip will continue to work on this and will keep the committee updated.

Discussion:  Scott Isaacson met with our legal staff on policies and procedure work this week. MSA: Item 4 regarding the admin fee should come out, as the fee is charged to vendors and not to ESUs.

Discussion:  Dave Ludwig reviewed that the committee reviewed the budget request given by affiliates. Purpose and sustainability included in affiliate requests. Discussion has been held regarding how to fund these activities. Membership fee to be raised from $2000 up to $4550 and include $20 onsite registration fee. We have created a NMPDS project director job description to be advertised ASAP.

Discussion:  Dave Ludwig reviewed budget spreadsheet. The Committee reviewed each of the affiliate requests.

Discussion:  SPED committee will have co-chairs next year; Larianne Polk and Marge Beatty. Wade Fruhling gave a report on AAP, Project Para, SRS. Para conference to be held in October, 2015. Looking for presenters for conference in the special education arena. IEP facilitation training with Key2Ed to be held June 10-12, 2014. NDE has committed to $12,500 to be funded through ESU 16.

Discussion:  SRS staff has begun working on the printout version of the AAP form. Four trainings have been set up to help pilot the site, will be training over the summer. Also working on archiving old data.

Discussion:  Project Para board meeting was held on May 5th, a review of the year. Discussed some future training and plans for this next year. Looking at upgrading to html 5, updating the database and user interface, may also move the site to a new server this summer. The Para Conference may be held in October. The group would like some help in finding presenters, and thought that the ESUCC would assist with this. Marge suggested that maybe each ESU could provide a presenter/training for this conference. Wade will come up with a list of areas that would be good to present on at the conference, and Marge will share this with the ESUCC board.

Discussion:  LB1103 - A group of administrators that met with Senator Sullivan regarding visioning. There will be three focus groups across the state this summer. Should ESUCC also be discussing this process as a statewide group? Regional group (NNNC) will report back from their meeting in June to see if their results would be the same as ours statewide. Committee will have Bryce Willson to join next meeting for discussion on core funding.

Discussion:  Dave Ludwig opened discussion on the LB1103 vision document. There will be three hearings scheduled through out the state regarding visioning. The BlendEd chairs and Dave will be meeting with Senator Scheer to discuss BlendEd initiative.

Discussion:  Dave Ludwig also shared the Core Funding draft document for 2014-2015. We need to be proactive in taking our "needs" forward to legislature/senators (ie: core service formula, etc.)

Discussion:  Jeff West recognized Norm Ronell and Gil Kettelhut on their years of service and retirement.

Discussion:  Scott Isaacson reviewed the timeline for Policies/Procedures for 2014.

Discussion:  Freida Lange reviewed the ESUCC vision document that summarizes our April 3, 2014, ESUCC/NDE Collaboration meeting. Three Initiatives: BlendEd Use of Data/SLDS Grant Teacher/Principal Evaluation The Vision – The Direction so the Dream Becomes Reality 1) A data-driven system focused on student learning outcomes, executing purposeful communication, collaboration, and cooperation -- “One state, one system, one direction.” 2) Unified service and leadership for personalized learning. 3) Educate Nebraskans, border to border, through effective and efficient systems of support, ensuring economic viability and prosperity for our state. “Educating Nebraskans anytime, anywhere, anyway.” 4) Build the capacity that allows the learner to control their destiny. 5) Empower the 21st Century Learner with teachers, administrators, and students who are technology literate, supported by strong infrastructure, and resources for improving learning and equitable access. Exec Committee will meet June 4, 2015 at NCSA to review the five vision statements and combine into one vision.

Discussion:  There were no requests to be heard from the public at this time.