April 4, 2017 at 2:00 PM - Technology Committee Meeting

Discussion: 

Call to order at 2:00 PM

Staff:  David Ludwig, Deb Hericks, Scott Isaacson, Rhonda Eis

Guest Ron Cone

Discussion:  Technology Director discussed that  as of March 27, 2017:

• 196 districts have applied to participate in ADVISER (80%)
• 157 districts have received key and secret for data publishing (64%)
• 116 districts have published data to the ADVISER data store (47%)

We will begin to track statistics on the number of data publishing operations and accesses of the dashboard application. 

Discussion:  As of April 4th, 167 districts and ESUs (64%) are listed in the production single sign-on framework. The Innovation grant will include work to enhance the portal and single sign-on experience. We will begin tracking statistics on the number of SSO sessions launched and accesses of the app launch portal. 

Discussion:  Mike Danahy, Wade Fruhling and Scott Isaacson met for a number of design sessions during March to map out the work going forward on the SRS and AAP software, including connections to ADVISER, updates to the database, and other user experience improvements for both applications. Mike Danahy has begun initial coding of the interface for SRS to publish data automatically to the ADVISER data store. The ADVISER-ready version of SRS, and the fully-converted Zend Framework 1 application are scheduled to go into production in the Summer of 2017. NDE and the Ed-Fi contractor DoubleLine Partners continue to work with us on the design and implementation of the ADVISER interface. 

Discussion:  The purpose of this effort is to seek the best way of providing statewide technology services through balancing efficiency, cost effectiveness, data protection, support and staffing. The more school districts and ESUs approach these needs together, the more we will all be able to improve service and reduce costs.  The level cost of the current ESUCC hosting infrastructure, factoring in staffing, hardware, software, data center, and backup systems, appears to be approximately $1,200 annually per virtual machine (70) being hosted.  NOC discussed this and formed a subcommittee to examine options for future hosting, and Ron Cone discussed the topic with the Network Nebraska Advisory Group (NNAG).  Ron Cone’s report is also part of today’s agenda, stating in part that Network Nebraska isn’t ready to begin offering hosting services, but there may be other future options.  Ron Cone shared his report with the committee.  NNAG did not take any action.  Decision will need to be made by Spring 2018.  

Discussion:  Executive Director shared the summary from the Innovative Grant. Need to bring NOC into discussions for the Innovative Grant and the technology and data needs.  

Discussion:  Technology Director has begun developing the detailed project plan for our work to implement the projects proposed in the Innovation Grant documents.  NDE will be offering assistance The ESUCC proposal is titled DE2TAILS - Data-Driven Ecosystem Enhancing Teaching and Learning for Students, and includes significant support for upgrading and integrating the SRS and AAP software to share data via the ADVISER data store, enhance the single sign-on and portal environment, to extend the BlendEd, NROC and EdReady pilot projects, and implement the SIMPL software.  Executive Director and Technology Director walked through the initial project plan for the Innovation Grant.  

Discussion:  A meeting was held with David Ludwig, Scott Isaacson, Craig Peterson, Brent Gaswick, SuAnn Witt, and Tom Rolfes on Monday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. at NDE.  The purpose of the meeting was to review progress of the LMS Support System and input from Tom Rolfes regarding conversations with Canvas.  It was decided to begin the review process for the LMS in the near future due in part to the contract ending June 2018.  

Discussion:  The majority of the vote was to move forward with the budget request with using the BlendEd SpecialProject Funds.  There was one concern regarding the timeline.  

Discussion:  Motion tabled.

Discussion:  Rhonda Eis reviewed the invoices for Learn360.