The BEN Consortium met on October 8, 1998, at the Butte County Office of Education, Instructional Resource Center in Oroville, California, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Those in attendance were:

Call to Order by Lee Funk. Introductions of new members and welcome by Tim McClure.

Agenda approved by members. (First, Vikki Gillette; Seconded, Charlene Locey; ayes-13, nayes-0.)

Purpose and role of BEN Consortium was reviewed by Russ Selken. Copies of bylaws, proposed agreements for services, and a problem reporting procedure matrix   were distributed to new members. 

Old business: At the last BEN Consortium meeting, it was recommended that the Technology in Learning Committee be dropped as a standing committee in the language of the By-laws.  Many district representatives are currently attending regular meetings regarding technology in schools, and a ad hoc committee can be formed when needed to review specific issues.  Approved by members. (First, Susan Jeffers; Seconded, Charlene Locey; ayes-13; nayes-0.)

E-rate Update was given by Russ Selken.  Allen Rader attended the last two video conferences on E-rate issues and sent outlines of the meetings to all districts via e-mail, and copies were distributed to members.  Funding letters are expected to start arriving by late October. Funding under 80% is very questionnable, at the 80% level it is possible, and the 90% level is likely. According to that ratio, some Butte County school districts may not receive any funds, while others may receive full funding. Also, if districts do not immediately receive a funding letter, it may simply be due to the complexity of the application or potential for funding may be relative to hub location.

Expansion Needs and Current Use of WAN were presented by Dennis Partington. Handouts included maps indicating T-1's currently in place and charts to review the use of bandwidth.  Several weeks show bandwidth nearly at capacity on several occasions within the last month.  Districts are planning to add more T-1's within the next few months and additional bandwidth will be required to meet the higher capacity required. Expansion of possibly 12 T-1's for Chico area and 15 in Oroville area is predicted.  Without expanding the bandwidth, browsers would slow down or freeze in use when all current bandwidth is utilized within the next 3 months. Current cost of equipment indicates we are getting more for a lower price, but anticipate an increase in fees for increased use of connectivity to Chico State of approximately $20,000. Another handout gave description and cost of the current Cisco 2611 router and a bid cost from Hawthorne School District which can be used at school site locations for a substantial savings.  Russ Selken indicated two T-1's are needed: one for the Chico area and one for the Oroville area, both within 3 months. Router installations are currently not discounted.

Fiscal Sub-Committee decided to meet following the meeting to discuss proposal to superintendent's to support expansion. New committee members are Susan Jeffers, Ruthie Allen, and Midge Kenyon. (Click here to see notes of the meeting.) Three areas the committee will review are: 1) current way we allocate cost and how to distribute cost; 2) current network capacity and how to increase; and, 3) the cost.  Members will receive a proposal to review and comment prior to submission to superintendents at their meeting on November 18.

Filter or Not to Filter  was previously discussed during the May 1998 meeting by the Consortium. Dr. Funk asked members what districts are using to filter.  Some filters for newsgroups and internet blocks are in place at BCOE and Surf Watch is being utilized in some classroom labs.  General philosophy of the members at this time is that districts should handle locally and not as a consortium.  Russ Selken indicated he is able to offer assistance to districts who need additional information on selection, installation and maintenance.

Workshops will again be offered again this year for district technology staff.  Russ Selken announced more information will be sent to districts within the next few months.

Next Meeting will be held Friday, January 22, 1999, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Instructional Resource Center, Meeting Room B.  Please mark your calendars. Technology in Learning Meeting (Challenge Action) will follow.

Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by,

Marcia Griswold, Secretary

Information Technology Services

Butte County Office of Education