February 11, 2016 at 8:30 AM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Call to order at 8:30 AM. Staff: David Ludwig, Deb Hericks, Priscilla Quintana, Scott Isaacson, Crai Guests: Jason and Curt Bromm, Freida Lange, Craig Hicks

Discussion:  AESA Government Relations committee met in January to review standing positions.

Discussion:  Jason Bromm was present to discuss current legislative discussions. He also advised the Board if they go with doing the summer tour/retreat to invite Senators along. Continue to communicate on what ESUs do/offer to our schools (be proactive.) With term limits we need to continue to educate the senators. We are almost half through the current session. Jason offered an attachment of current legislative bills that are regarding ESUs/schools. Governors bill LB959 and LB958 will continue to dominate this discussion this session. Property taxes continue to be discussed, the senators want some resolution before the end of session. We need to let senators know that even if we are not considered fiscally we need to continue to communicate our purpose. On February 22, The Learning Community bills (LB 959 and 958) will have their hearings. Hopefully a compromise will happen become so there is some relief. This needs to happen before it hits the floor. Economic Forecast Board will be out on February 26. Possibility of scheduling a Legislative Committee meeting on the same day as NCSA meets so that we can gather positions on upcoming bills. This would happen right after all bills are introduced in January.

Discussion:  Craig Hicks, ESU 13 gave a demo of the work they have been doing regarding the single sign-on/portal. Scott Isaacson discussed that we are excited that ESU 13 is working to make this available for their ESU/schools. The group continues to work through a few bugs they have with the system. ESUs/Schools will be able to customize (add/arrange) to their own resources that they use.

Discussion:  ESUCC discussed the conversation with Senator Sullivan regarding ESUS. Executive Director discussed the packet of historical information provided by Wayne Bell. This is the research on ESUs that was done back in 2003. Need to add survey from Senator Raikes with this documentation. It was noted that schools that were surveyed and 96% were opposed to fewer ESUS. ESUCC will continue to study past history regarding ESU studies.

Discussion:  President reported that he had asked everyone to review the calendar at the January meeting presented for discussion. Executive Director discussed the process used to make the two-year calendar. There were some conflicts. Please review calendar and get back with conflicts. We will move meetings back to first week vs second week and Wednesday/Thursday.

Discussion:  Committee also reviewed the option of rotating meetings per sites. President discussed with whole Board rotating vs. staying centrally when possible. If don't use the rotational meeting schedule possibly schedule time over summer for a tour of the state.

Discussion:  President discussed the Google Doc with beginnings of discussions of history on staff presenting outside their service units. Advise the Board to review. From this, we will create a procedure from the information gathered.

Discussion:  No public comment.

Discussion:  Committee chair reviewed the budget documents. The audit was begun as of February 1, 2016. An additional audit for Federal Grants (A-133) might need to be conducted.

Discussion:  Committee chair reviewed the budget reports for the month. We are in the process or revising some of the reports.

Discussion:  Committee chair reviewed the expenses for January 8, 2016 - February 5, 2016.

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed the discussion held within the Technology Committee. NROC/EdReady will be moved under NDE for the upcoming budget year. This will allow ESUCC to hire a BlendEd Director full time. LOR Committee is working on a solution for the Learning Object Repository. This is going to be a combination of resources (Learn360, Amazon, and ISLE.) Once determining of base is made, the committee will discuss what other areas need to be added tot he LOR. There was a Joint meeting between IMAT, DEAC, TAG, BlendEd. They are discussing combining those committees and then have buckets of individual needs. The group will be called Teaching and Learning with Technology. Executive Director discuss the K-12 Collaboration Grant. This group met the end of January in Las Vegas. This group is working to build a framework for large group to be able to share efficiently nation wide. The Nebraska representatives are David Ludwig, Scott Isaacson and Dean Folkers. Executive Director discussed meeting with the NATA group (large school technology administrators) to discuss the current state-wide efforts.

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed the committee discussions. Craig Peterson gave a demonstration of Equal Level, which is product ordering. He reviewed the process for the annual paper buy which will conclude on March 15, 2016. February 22, 2016 the annual buy catalog will be available.

Discussion:  The County of Buffalo passed a Resolution to enter into an Interlocal Agreement between the County of Buffalo and ESUCC for the solicitation of public bids and enter into contracts on its own behalf and to purchase supplies, material, equipment, and services.

Discussion:  Those interested in continuing with BrightBytes are as follows: ESUs 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19 elected to participate.

Discussion:  Committee chair reviewed discussions from committee meeting. There is a legislative bill that will allow NASB to receive some TEOSA funding to increase ______. Also reviewed the Nebraska Circle of Friends that funding will go away and would like ESUCC to become the fiscal agent for this service. Committee recommends that we keep the admins fees the same and increase the tier-structure by 5% for Master Service Agreement. SRS continues to work with Bellevue Public Schools to import/export NSRSS. when this work has been completely SRS will be able to apply across other districts. They are working with UNO to hire some students to help with some software development. NNNC area superintendents are interested in having Karen Haase deliver a two hour webinar on Special Ed Law. Please review with schools/special ed directors on interest to increase to statewide. This webinar would mainly target school administrators.

Discussion:  Executive Director reviewed some of the current legislative issues. He also discussed the letter that will go to Senators regarding LB 959. Board discussed not sending the letter presently, hold the letter in case needed later.

Discussion:  There was no public comment.

Discussion:  None needed