November 13, 2024 at 9:00 AM - Information Services Committee Meeting

Discussion:  Committee Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 9:01am.

Discussion:  CEO Polk reviewed the linked CEO Report to the Board - November 2024 document.

• Tiffiny Widdifield, Computer Science-Minden Public Schools, emailed many of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). Computer Science Teachers Association - Nebraska’s vision is to ensure that every student is prepared for a world powered by computers. They would like to add an ESU (Educational Service Unit) representative to their team. Help CSTA Nebraska achieve its goal of supporting Computer Science education across the state. 
  • Attend Bimonthly Virtual Meetings
  • Communicate with Other ESUs
  • Connect Schools to CSTA Nebraska Resources
  • Contribute to CSTA Nebraska's Mission

Discussion:  Scott Isaacson, Technology Director, provided the Technology Division update to the committee. Director Isaacson reviewed the attached Isaacson Report. The Cybersecurity Grant process is still in the holding pattern. There are two ESU related projects tentatively awarded for $1.4 million dollars.
Reminder, the Nationwide Cybersecurity Review (NCR) is an online self-assessment for cybersecurity, which is due February 2025. The NCNE team is testing the automated penetration system. There are a series of tests. The NCNE team members have been speaking with Superintendents at the Superintendent's meetings. Many of the member schools have completed their initial security assessments and have been improving their cybersecurity. CEO Polk will meet with the Resolute Guard lead contacts to discuss next steps after the grant timeframe.

Project Para registration has been updated, and informational webinars are scheduled. Project Para is on the NDE Catalog. The Behavior Intervention Report Tool (BIRT) will be released this month. There have been updates to the SRS and Textbook Loan application request. The new NVIS system will be released. 

Discussion:  Andrew Easton, Distance and Digital Learning Coordinator, provided the Teaching and Learning Division update to the committee. Coordinator Easton reviewed the attached Digital Learning ESUCC Info Services Committee Report. Coordinator Easton has been busy on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) front and, while speaking on AI, he has been able to promote other services the ESUCC and ESUs provide. Jack Moles, the Executive Director of NRCSA, and another counterpart reached out to Coordinator Easton about using a tool to help with the first reading of legislation. Coordinator Easton would like to offer his appreciation for Technology Director - Scott Issacson, Assistant Director of Technology - Todd Hatcher, and everyone else who helped get BIRT going, it was a huge effort. 

Coordinator Easton created a new ESUCC one-pager and completed five new episodes of The Good Life EDU podcast. If there are any stories or topics you want to see on the podcast, reach out to Coordinator Easton. 

Discussion:  Rhonda Eis, Digital Learning Project Manger, provided the Instructional Materials update to the committee. Rhonda reviewed the attached Eis_ESUCC Committee Report. The document includes a report about the ESU PD library usage from November 5, 2023, to November 6, 2024. There was a total of 63 users and 290 books checked-out during that timeframe. There were 10–20 books checked-out at a time consistently. Rhonda will provide additional usage data for the November board meeting. There have been a few new books and audio books added to the library. 

The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is applying for a three-year grant for OER development. ESUCC is currently contracted for OER, so if NDE is awarded the grant, there would need to be additional conversation. Director Isaacson and Coordinator Easton will be meeting with NDE Digital Learning Director, Dorann Avey, to get more information. 

Discussion:  CEO Polk provided the SMART update to the committee. There will be additional conversation at the Executive Committee Meeting about the Business Strategies Framework 1.0 in Iowa. The expectation of the conference was to learn from experts on how to market a product and the realm of moving the product across state lines. The current SIMPL product will need to be revamped in order to provide it to entities outside the state of Nebraska. The committee is considering a soft roll-out with some pilot partners in the Spring. 

CEO Polk met with System Architect Nathan McCenahan to review the data in SIMPL for the ESUCC. The data is in the system, but it cannot be pulled for each ESU, which would be useful. CEO Polk is looking forward to seeing the changes discussed in the meeting. 

Discussion:  No additional agenda items to add to the next committee meeting. 

Discussion:  The Information Services Committee meeting adjourned at 9:44am.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Mindy Reed, Executive Secretary.