1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The December 20, 2001, meeting of the Education Telecommunications Council was held at Iowa Public Television and various ICN sites. The following members were present: Chet Rzonca for Robert Barak, Board of Regents; Al Bode, ISEA; James Bodensteiner, Board of Regents; Merv Cronbaugh, IACCT; Kathy Decker, IAICU; Greg Davis for Mary Gannon, IASB; Gene Gardner, IACCT; Paul Bowers for John Hartung, IAICU; Connie Maxson, SAI; Kathryn O'Shaughnessy, ISEA; Pam Pfitzenmaier, IPTV; Kay Runge, DE/Libraries; and Mary Travillian, AEA Boards. Dean Borg, IASB, was absent.

The following visitors were also present: Mike Bacino and Tony Crandell, ICN; Roger Rezabek, RTC 7; Dana Rosenberg, EICCD; Julie Thomas, RTC 6; John Haack, RTC 10; Kathy Guilgot, RTC 1; Kitty Conover, RTC 3; Ellen Kabat Lensch, RTC 9; Chuck Chrisman, RTC 16; Rebecca Hannum, Region 16 ICN Scheduler; Bruce McKee, RTC 2; Colette Scott, RTC 4; Shelly Goergen, AEA 11 ICN Coordinator, Phil Dunshee, EnterpriseMidAmerica; and Debbie Fiscus and Kathy Borlin, IPTV.

II. REPORT ON 2000-2001 SCHOOL YEAR ENROLLMENTS IN ICN-BASED COURSES

Dana Rosenberg gave an overview of the 2000-2001 Educational Classes Survey Final Report on enrollments in ICN-video based courses. The document was distributed to members prior to the meeting. For the 2000-2001 academic year, there were 881 classes for a total of 25,882 enrollments and nearly 2,000 of those enrollments were for PSEO credit. Discussion followed.

III. UPCOMING SURVEY OF ENROLLMENTS IN WEB-BASED COURSES

Dana Rosenberg provided an overview of the draft Web-based classes survey. Discussion followed.

IV. UPDATE ON 21^ST CENTURY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT

Paul Bowers gave a status update on the proposed report of the 21^st Century Project research stating that it is expected that the report will be finalized by mid-January for the upcoming legislative session.

V. FRONTLINE VIDEO CLASSROOM SUPPORT; POSSIBLE TRANSITION OF RESPONSIBILITY FROM IPTV TO ICN

Pam Pfitzenmaier opened this discussion with a history of the various duties and responsibilities for support of ICN video classrooms--the frontline technical support of ICN classrooms which resides basically with community colleges, AEAs, and some independent colleges (at the regional level) and colleges/universities for their own campus facilities. As a reminder to members, it was pointed out that equipment in the school/college ICN video classroom is owned by that school/college site. When the ICN video classrooms were first installed (Parts I and II), funding for the video classroom support was provided through Star Schools. Beginning in 1994, the funding transitioned over to state funding (a portion of the RTC funding). While frontline support is provided by the colleges/AEAs, the second line of support is provided by IPTV. This second-line support includes testing of the video classrooms, operating a test room, and providing loaner equipment that the site may need, etc. This service is funded by state appropriation. The appropriation for classroom support is really two parts--approximately $1.6 million for RTCs (this funding is to cover more responsibilities than just ICN video classrooms) and approximately $400K for IPTV to provide second-line technical support to the classrooms.

About a year ago, Tommy Thompson, Executive Director of the ICN approached IPTV Executive Director Dave Bolender about transitioning the IPTV portion of this support to the ICN. At that time it was mutually agreed to drop the conversation until after the legislative session was over. In August of 2001, the Mr. Thompson approached Mr. Bolender and requested a meeting to discuss the possible transition. At the meeting, IPTV staff emphasized that no transition could take place without the approval of the educational partners. Through various communications, it was determined that a meeting involving educational partners, ICN and IPTV should take place prior to the beginning of the 2002 legislative session. This meeting was held on December 14, 2001 via ICN.

Pam and Mike Bacino provided an overview of the December 14, 2001, meeting. In attendance were college ICN video classroom techs, members of TIE, AEAs, RTC coordinators, ICN staff, and IPTV. Pam distributed a document summarizing the open issues from that meeting. Following a lengthy discussion these motions were made:

MOTION 1

Pam Pfitzenmaier moved that the ETC form a sub-committee of ETC members, RTC members, IPTV and ICN staff, to investigate the financial implications of ICN pricing, funding and the impact on educational institutions.

Kay Runge seconded. Ayes--14, Nays--0, Not Voting--0, Absent--4. Motion passed unanimously.

MOTION 2

Merv Cronbaugh moved that the ETC endorse the concept of establishing the 3 committees (policy, finance, and technical) recommended at the December 14, 2001, meeting.

Gene Gardner seconded. Ayes--13, Nays--1, Not voting--0, Absent--4. Motion passed.

VI. UPDATE ON THE WORK OF THE IOWA ALLIANCE FOR ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

Phil Dunshee of Enterprise MidAmerica updated the members and guests on the status of the Iowa Alliance for Advanced Telecommunications Services project.

VII. AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORT

Pam Pfitzenmaier provided an update on the ad hoc committee for Part III leases and elem/middle school/library connectivity. Tony Crandell distributed a document of cost estimates that included the following information: 1). Costs to various Part III sites to add more circuits beyond the DS-3 provided by the state (ICN provided service); 2). Costs to elementary/middle schools to provide T-1 circuit for Internet (service provided by the telecommunications industry). Discussion followed and this motion was made:

MOTION 3

Pam Pfitzenmaier moved that the ETC ask the Iowa Alliance for Advanced Telecommunication Services to work with the ad hoc committee on the issues related to Part III leases and future elem/middle school/library connectivity.

Paul Bowers seconded. Ayes--11, Nays--0, Not voting--0, Absent--7. Motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

The December 20, 2001, meeting of the Education Telecommunications Council adjourned at 11:45am. The next meeting of the ETC will be March 21, 2002, at Iowa Public Television.

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