Kankakee Times

Manteno Community Unit School District 5 Board of Education Technology Committee met October 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Meeting was called to order at 3:30 pm

In attendance: Brent Zhorne, Gale Dodge, Rob Meadors, Cara Baldwin, Nate Short, Rebecca Ganger, Matthew Glenn, Justin Long, Chris Bohula, Roger Schnitzler, Stephanie Kaack, Dan Christ, Tom Steele

1) Tech Dept updates

a. Tom has prepared RFP’s for Synchronous Internet and Voice Service and Asynchronous Internet Service (for the DO) in preparation for our 2018 E-rate application. Our contract with Comcast is up this year.

b. Following up on a request from the Sept meeting, we contacted IPEvo support regarding problems with cameras. They suggested changing the autofocus switch and installing the latest software. That seems to have fixed the problem on at least some of the machines.

c. ES Fiber construction is progressing slowly. The site survey work has been completed and Camco is preparing the design plans which should be completed next week. After this, permits will be filed with the village. Site work cannot begin until the permits are approved.

d. We have cleaned, polished and repaired as many exterior cameras as possible. It is a major improvement but most of the exterior cameras have CCDs that are failing and will need to be replaced soon.

e. We realigned the DO radios. It has made a significant difference in performance but the 5GHz frequency range is becoming more crowded to the point of it being unusable for point-to-point communications. Using a licensed frequency is really the only long-term option.

f. Chromebook repairs are down significantly. Dan has prepared a spreadsheet showing a breakdown of the repairs. Moving the Dell’s to carts has made a tremendous difference in repairs.

2) Content Filter Renewal

a. This is the last year of our CIPAfilter contract

b. Renewal costs are

i. The hardware cost to replace is $11,500

ii. The subscription cost is $28,361 for 3 years of which $24,258 is eligible for an E-rate discount

c. If we use E-rate funds, we will have to put out an RFP

d. Roger made a motion to send out the RFP. Rebecca Ganger seconded. Motion carried. Tom will send out the RFP.

3) Google File Stream

a. Google File Stream allows a user to map their Google Drive to a Windows machine just like any network drive

b. Encourage all users to install or push install via GPO

c. Cannot automatically map Home drive to G: drive

d. Microsoft Office items will need to be downloaded and then re-saved (unless you install FileStream on home computer also.

4) HS 1:1

a. The HS would like to implement 1:1 next year

i. Homework requests would essentially be obsolete since teachers can just email the homework to the student

ii. Still struggling with students that came from the MS - they had them at the MS and now they don’t.

iii. Can’t collaborate outside the HS walls

b. Currently using carts throughout the building

i. Breakage *should* be lower at the HS level

c. Carts result in significantly less breakage, but they can be countered with more ruggedized devices

d. Most carts are using Dell computers which were replaced last year and have an end-of-support date of Jan 2019.

e. Carts cost about $1000-1500 each

f. Carts vs take-home - committee agrees “Take-home” is the best option

g. Roger asked if we can get a count of how many chromebooks at the HS

h. Future discussion on financing the program

5) Change November Meeting Date

a. Due to parent-teacher conferences we need to move our November meeting

b. New meeting date is Monday, 11/6/2017 at 3:30PM in HS Room N23

i. Brent Zhorne made a motion to move the date. Gale Dodge seconded. Motion carried

6) Building updates

a. ES - nothing to report

b. MS

i. Nate Short asked about Chromebook Monitoring solutions

1. Expensive

2. Difficult to teach and monitor at the same time

ii. Library scanner isn’t working

c. HS

i. Some staff are still uncomfortable accessing email through Gmail. Brent has offered to help install the Outlook plug-in (staff can also enter helptickets)

ii. Computer apps class has been going well

iii. Skyward updated a screen when mass adding P/T Conferences. Stephanie will send an updated screenshot to all staff.

7) Future items

8) Other

9) Adjournment

a. Brent Zhorne made a motion to adjourn. Rebecca Ganger seconded. Motion carried.

b. Meeting was adjourned at 4:15 pm

http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/MantenoCUSD/MantenoCUSD/Departments/MeetingSchedule/20171011TC_Minutes.docx.pdf