Butte Education Network Consortium

Butte Education Network Consortium

The first meeting of the BEN Consortium was held April 1, 1998, at the Butte County Office of Education from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Those in attendance:

Bangor Union	Michael Grady
Biggs Unified	Lee Funk, Charlene Locey, Shirley Miller, Dave Niemeyer
Butte Co. Office of Education	Tim McClure, Russ Selken, Marcia Griswold
Chico Unified	Vikki Gillett
Gridley Elem.	Cindy McIntire, Ken Aldrich
Oroville City Elem.	Susan Jeffers, Ray Sehorn
Oroville Union High	Barry Kayrell
Palermo Union	Tim Shannon
Thermalito Union	Rick Light, Susan Watts

Call to Order

Russ Selken welcomed members and discussed the strategic importance of districts forming this new consortium to review current and future technology assets. Budgets, technology advancements and impact on curriculum can be reviewed to best serve the districts within Butte County. Tim McClure further noted the early beginnings of the need for connectivity between the county office and schools started over four years ago. As the developmental stages of the technical aspects of organization have matured, it has progressed to a point where governance is now advisable for the best interests of participating school districts. Now the vision and defining role will be lead by the members of this consortium representing Butte County school districts.

Nomination and Election of Chairperson

Rick Light, Superintendent of Thermalito Union, and Vikki Gillett, Director of Information Technology, Chico Unified, were both previously nominated for the chair position. They are interested in co-chairing this consortium for 1998. The members agreed and voted unanimously to have both Rick and Vikki serve as Co-chairpersons for this year.

Consideration of By-laws

Members reviewed each individual article within the by-laws and made the following recommendations:

(Discussion only) Article II, Susan Jeffers asked that data processing be added as a sixth category. Members discussed and asked that Allen Rader present more information at the next meeting before making this amendment.
(Change) Article II, Vikki Gillett recommended and members agreed to change language under Relationships, line 2, to "Butte County Office of Education along with Chairperson(s) of the BEN Consortium acts as administrative agent."
(Discussion Only) Article II, Michael Grady discussed the role of the consortium or sub-committees. Members agreed any committees formed will submit recommendations to the consortium, and recommendations of the consortium will be submitted to district superintendents.
(Change) Article III, correct typo to "Golden".
(Change) Article IV, remove "and" and insert comma.
(Discussion Only) Article V-2, Tim McClure stated the Technology in Learning will continue to meet throughout the year. In their meetings, district representatives share and discuss how technology can be used to enhance curriculum within the classroom.
(Change) Article VI is missing. Renumber to include.
(Change) Article VII, Members agreed to change minimum number of meetings for the year from 4 to 3 meetings.

By-laws for Approval

Lee Funk, made the motion to approve by-laws with the above noted changes; seconded by Michael Grady; members voted unanimously to approve.

Compliance

Russ Selken will inquire and report if any changes are necessary for compliance with the Brown Act.

Joint Fiscal-Technical Committee

Members discussed the need for both Fiscal and Technical Committees and for this year prefer a joint committee to serve. Next meeting will be held in April (date to be announced) to review status of E-rate funding and any restructuring that may be required. Members: Lee Funk, Chair; Vikki Gillett, Linda Bristow, Susan Watts. Consultants: Russ Selken, Allen Rader. Rick Light requested Marcia Griswold contact those superintendent with districts not represented on the committee to confirm if their district designee will participate.

Rick Light requested Russ Selken send filtering information to superintendents before their April meeting, then discuss at the next Consortium meeting.

Goal: Consortium to offer recommendation to superintendents prior to their
May 20^th meeting.

Next Consortium Meeting

The BEN Consortium will meet again on May 14, 1998, at the Chico Public Library on East First Ave. at 1:00 p.m.

Agenda Items for May Meeting

E-rate results as it relates to purchases or restructuring.
Filtering
Two-way video-conferencing, levels of service.
Nominate and elect Chair-Elect (according to By-laws, Article IV-3)
Set meeting dates (according to By-laws, Article III-7)

Please submit any additional agenda items to Marcia Griswold at 538-6310.

Respectfully submitted by,

Marcia Griswold, Secretary
Information Technology Services
Butte County Office of Education