MAISA TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2005
PACKARD B – LANSING SHERATON HOTEL
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Minutes

Committee Members in Attendance:
Jeanne Oakes, Mason-Lake ISD; Connie Donovan, Clinton County RESA; Larry Godwin, Menominee ISD; Deb Dunbar, Gratiot-Isabella RESD; Rick Angelocci, Monroe ISD; Mark Cummins, Macomb ISD; Mike Oswalt, Calhoun ISD

1. Call to Order
• Committee was called to order by Mike Oswalt at 10:05 a.m.

2. Approval of Minutes – January 26, 2005
• Motion by Oakes, second by Cummins to approve the minutes of the meeting held on January 26, 2005. Motion passed unanimously

4. 2004-05 Goal Areas Review (sent via e-mail)
• Goals were reviewed and it was noted that goals are aligned with all agenda items.

5. Other Updates and Items for Discussion
a) Data Warehousing Survey Draft (D) (sent via e-mail)
• The ‘education piece’ of the data warehouse survey was reviewed along with the survey questions. The committee felt that both are ready to be distributed within the timeline of: distribution by March 18, collection window to close mid April and results tallied and made publicly available by May 1. This will help those ISDs who are in the process of budgeting and planning for data warehouse projects this summer.

b) Michigan Partners in Learning Grant Deliverables (A)
• After review of the information on the Partners in Learning, the committee felt that as the professional development of this project unfolds, it needs to be part of, and compliment, LearnPort. A question was raised on how the target population (125 participants) will be identified (need, low performance, size, etc.?) Many questions – looking for more information as this project unfolds.

c) NCLB Technology Standards and Pilot Assessment Update (A)
• Concern was noted that if the certification of students technological literacy becomes tied to federal and state aid (although noted ‘at this time’ to not be) that the state should provide a free assessment, just as MEAP is provided to help measure adequate yearly progress. Meanwhile, because there is no current tie, districts may consider doing their own assessment process. Resources were noted as being available at http://www.techplan.org. The assessment through NCRTEC (part of Learning Point Associates) is being piloted in some districts and is anticipated to be $2 per student this fall.

d) MVU Update (A)
• Mike shared his conversation with Becky Rocho, Assistant Superintendent of General Services and Legislation at Calhoun ISD. Becky is on the School Management group and shared that they are aware of the $1 million increase in section 98 for 2005/2006. School Management is taking the stand that if that increase is targeted to improve the delivery of current online programs of MVHS to better accommodate credit recovery needs of students and to lower the cost of current MVHS classes, which are above national average, they are supportive of the increase. However, if the funds are being used for new programs or initiatives, they are against the increase.
• Discussion continued on the need for online learning choices and the power in collaborative purchasing. Region 1 and GenNet were two examples given. It was also noted that there are other programs beyond MVHS offerings.
• Donavan and Dunbar are attending the March 14 meeting of MASSP where the High School Redesign discussion will be held; interest in whether online offerings are going to be discussed.
• The findings of the virtual learning survey that this committee completed would be beneficial to be posted to the MAISA/MASA web sites.

e) LearnPort Update (A)
• Information from Bob Currie was distributed. Concern was raised over free courses (such as the Teacher to Teacher series). While ‘free’ is appreciated, it was noted that once a program is free, it needs to stay free otherwise there will be sustainability problems for those courses in the future.
• CPR courses – it was questioned as to whether participants are ‘certified’ and if so, how do they demonstrate knowledge/skill.
• The committee was encouraged to view the site and log in as there has been information loaded.
• Concern was raised over the ‘news’ section once logged in. Mike noted that it listed news relevant to your school district, with links up to the ISD and on to MDE. However, there was no listing for the REMC region the district resides in, but there were ‘Region A’ links. Mike will contact Sam to find the origin of these – if they are the old MTIP regions, the committee felt that REMC regions would be more appropriate and current.

f) REMC Part-Time Executive Director Update (B)
• The position has been posted at various locations, including MASA’s web site. The posting is through March 18. Interviews will be conducted in April with a target start date of July 1, 2005.
g) LEADing the Future Update (A)
• No report – sessions continue to be offered for superintendents, assistants and principals.
h) FTL Update (A)
• No report – it was discussed that the budget for this must have gone to the higher ed budget for 2005/2006 since it appears to have been not budgeted in the school budget.
i) EduNets Update (A)
• Mike will distribute an update after he hears from Becky Rocho who attended the meeting being held simultaneously with Rick Coy.
• Notes after the meeting:
• Becky Rocho attended the EduNets meeting and provided and update to Mike. The key items of note:
o Schools continue to be charged for updates and fees that are not their own
o Becky recommended the proposed bill use a ‘cost containment’ message to help legislators understand the importance and relevance
o The ‘Schools Pole Attachment Rights Bill’ will be drafted in the next two weeks and shared with the School Management Lobby committee in April (Becky is on this committee). Key items of the bill are:
- Limit make ready costs
- Prompt action required on all related work
- Tariff requirements (special fees) to contain costs
- Mandate utility cooperation
- 60 day response time
- Pole provides must also meet the energy safety codes
- Eliminate the ‘reasonable fees’ language
- Cost recovery options for remedy and damages from provider
o Rick presented to MAISA Council the EduNets project and asked for ISDs AND school districts with their own fiber networks to contribute to the project, if they haven’t already ($1500).
j) Michigan Educational Technology Plan 2005 (A)
• The committee expressed concern that while the technology standards and the technology plan for the state are being written, that they are still seen as separate rather than integral parts of the school improvement and core curriculum process. Those on the committee to rewrite the plan are asked to express this concern.

6. Schedule Final Meeting for 2004-05
• A date will be sent out to the group for early/mid May. A video conference is preferred – Mark Cummins will look into the use of the bridge once a date is determined. Most members have access to video conferencing.
• Discussion was held as to whether a meeting would occur in June due to the location challenges of arriving early.

Meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Mike Oswalt