May 5, 2015 at 12:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Call to order at 12:30 PM. Staff: David Ludwig, Scott Isaacson, Deb Hericks, Priscilla Quintana, Craig Peterson, Gordon Roethemeyer Guests: Karen Haase

Discussion:  Freida Lange, NDE gave the NDE report. Thanks to everyone who attend the AQueSTT Conference. Focus on school improvement will be what we "get to do" vs "have to do" where we can be supportive to the schools. Deputy Commissioner of School Improvement will be Deb Frison from Omaha. Commissioner continue to shape the direction we are headed as a State. Suicide Prevention training link has been sent out to ESUs for the pilot, encourage participating in that training.

Discussion:  Session proposals are now being excepted for the AESA Conference, encourage staff to submit a proposals for a session.

Discussion:  Report will be given within Committee reports.

Discussion:  President reviewed the structure for meetings, meeting template to be filled out and sent to Executive Assistant to be added to meetings. Chair to use summary report to give report at ESUCC meetings. Reviewed Credit Card Policy, second reading to follow at next meeting. Math/Science Partnership - Will continue to work through process of transitioning the KICKS (Science) portion of the grant to ESUCC. Needs assessment will done by NDE prior to the submission of next cycle of grant. Executive Director will continue to research lobbyist for ESUCC. Executive Director will continue to finalize the MOU between NDE and ESUCC. Fifty year celebration to help enhance Senator awareness of ESUs.

Discussion:  Executive Director reviewed the process of applying for the I3 Developmental Grant. It is a $3,000,000 grant with matching $3,000,000 funds. Pr-application of grant will be submitted today. This grant will focus on the needs of students involved is state systems. (Ward of Court, Foster, etc.) Grant application deadline is today. The grant will start with the 2016-2017 school year.

Discussion:  No public comment.

Discussion:  Committee Chair received finance reports for the month.

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed the Technology Committee report. Single sign-on - two districts LMS - There have been four LMS identified: Canvas, Schoology, Moodle Rooms, BlackBoard Learn. BrightBytes - working on a statewide pricing for schools. EdReady - provide usage reports for committee Zoom license - working on contract

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed committee notes. Program Assistant is resigning and moving to West Point.

Discussion:  The Council has adopted a motion to enter closed session to receive legal advice from the ESUCC’s attorney and/or for the Council to give negotiating guidance to legal counsel or other negotiators regarding Ion Wave and Equal Level contract. The Council will limit itself to discussion of this issue.

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed committee report. May PDO kick-off is tomorrow working with Brad Giese on Data. Math/Science Partnership Grants are working to transition both grants under the ESUCC. The committee reviewed the pricing related to the NWEA Consortium.

Discussion:  Committee chair reviewed committee discussions. SRS is working with NDE on Dashboard project. Discussion around how/what data might be available form the SRS system and the AYP System. Para Educator Conference is scheduled for October 29, 2015. SRS is working on converting the system over to Zend Frameworks. The tiered structure invoices for 2015-2016 have been sent. ESU 16 currently holds the state-wide PEP Grant. Committee Chair will notify NDE of feasibility of transferring the grant. IllniCloud is interested in partnering with ESUCC/SRS to share concepts of our system.

Discussion:  Committee chair reviewed the committee discussions. LB 431 - changing bid threshold from $40,000 to $100,000. Ideas were exchanged on thresholds for other items (specifically track and field purchases). LB 525 (NDE Technical Clean-up Bill) advanced with LD 343 included (one year only) as an amendment with funding if $2 million for 2016-17 only. LB 519 - originally LB 402 - Lottery funds includes 3% to support DL for sending and receiving districts. Gap assistance will help more students to have access to dual credit courses, etc. LB 478 Facilities will not advance this session but will carryover to next session. Data and education is needed on this issue. Kraig Lofquist will develop a Google Sheet to collect data points to include: Budget Document reserve perentage, cash at low point, three month operating cash flow threshold. Possibilities include creating a system to use current money for facilities and new money (levy) to fund facilities. Appropriations - Executive Director met with Senator Mellow regarding appropriations. We need to enhance our visibility of the ESUs/ESUCC for legislators. Legislators will do a state ESU facility tour, we can creat/update video, etc. to create a stronger voice.

Discussion:  ESU #3 Administrator shared details on the School Mental Health Conference to be held at the LaVista Conference Center on June 26, 2015.

Discussion:  No public comment.