We reviewed our minutes from the September 30 and October 1, 1999 meeting. There were no changes to be made to these minutes. Rodger Oesterle moved and Mike Bayba seconded to the motion to adopt the minutes. All were in favor.

These companies provided to us this afternoon their strategic directions for Distance Learning and Telecommunications. These strategic directions were to be given on at least a state wide basis as they relate to our Distance Learning Consortium and opportunities that they were planning for the near future.

• Bell Atlantic - Presented by Dennis Robbins and Brian Wilson

  ATM is the technology being supported at this time and it appears to be the infrastructure that they will be using world wide for the near future. The Power Point slide presentation was made by Bell Atlantic. If any one would like copies of that, contact Steve Smith and he will mail that to you. Bell Atlantic is also looking for someone to help them pilot, or evaluate, their ATM technology strategies as it relates to data communications and distance learning.

• Telergy - Presented by John Derendorf, Dave Wolf, Carmen Branca

  Telergy's primary focus is on the last mile access. That is build fiber to the end user. The appropriate strategy is for regional focus in the north east with multiple market segments with low cost platform presentations. Their executive strategy is to build a scalable network to maximize on net traffic and reduce capital risk by selling dark fiber.

• Time Warner - Presented by Rich Flanders and Larry Collins

  Rich indicated that Time Warner had seven divisions in NY State in 54 counties. He also indicated they had a presence in 33 of the BOCES regions of the state with high speed data (Roadrunner). He indicated that all 5 upstate divisions would be network this year and roadrunner is the highspeed cable modem service. Rich indicated that they were very eager about and optimistic to partner with the various BOCES in the state in the near future.

• Summary

  There were considerable questions and answers by our group with the vendors to get good strategic direction from them. These vendors were introduced one at a time to present their strategic direction without the other vendors being present. This ended Day l Discussion. The minutes will continue with Day 2.

  DAY 2

• NYSC&TE Conference

  At this meeting we were to have further discussion on whether we want to have a presence at the annual NYSC&TE conference which will be in Syracuse this year. After some roundtable discussion, it appears that the majority were in favor of proceeding with outlining and defining what we would present, how we would present it, and what it would take to make the presentations happen. It is decided that a subcommittee would be formed and would be co-chaired by Mike Bayba and Steve Smith to work on these items between now and our May meeting. At our May meeting we will have a presentation from the subcommittee as to what needs to be done and the final decision will be made as to whether we will proceed or not.

  In the meantime, Mike indicated he will create a list serve for those folks that are on the subcommittee to work together on the items that we have to address. Additionally, we will need to submit a document to the NYSC&TE's steering committee to consider our application to be at the conference. We tossed around several ideas of how we might want to present Distance Learning at the conference and this will be worked on by the subcommittee. The subcommittee will try to make periodic reports to the distance learning list server between now and our May meeting to keep you up to date on what is happening.

Mike Sylofski indicated that he was sending around the table the master mailing list for our consortium. We ask all to update it and return it by the end of the meeting. Mike intends to update the mailing list and send it to Steve so that it can be added to our consortium website.

• Intra Connectivity

  Some discussion regarding the intra connect of the various BOCES consortiums around the state to share Distance Learning resources. There seem to be a mix of those who had intra connect activity as a priority at this time and others who do not.

• Teachers at consortium meetings

  Some felt that it was important to invite a teacher to be present at our Distance Learning consortium meetings because they bring an important instructional/technical use to our discussions based on their experiences.

• Remediation and Professional Development

  This seems to be two areas that should be very important on our agenda as issues to be concerned about They provide some of the major areas of focus to Distance Learning in the immediate future.

• Schedule

  Joe Price asked that each of us if we care to either fax to him or send a copy to him of their current schedules or proposed schedules including the number of sites on the network, the name of the network, and the number of staff. Steve will also try to get this to a how we manage our network piece on our website.

• Strategic Planning

  Rodger indicated that he was working on strategic planning and his focus was to get some input from us. One of the questions he had was What do we think world class service is in Distance Learning. Some of the responses he got from the group was that it was full integration of Internet, ISDN, and fiber distance learning, multiple computers in the classroom. Technology isn=t the issue, instruction, teachers need to be well adversed in how to use the technology. Other thoughts included delivering beyond our boundaries, eliminating time and distance as a factor.

  Another concern is that NYSUT does not fully understand or perhaps support the distance learning strategic direction. Perhaps we should look in to obtaining a copy of NYSUT's new initiatives so we can discuss them at future meetings. This item regarding NYSUT and it's involvement with Distance Learning will be one item on our next agenda.

• Website Review

  Matt White presented our website with its most current modifications. We need to modify some of the contact people from the updated master list that Mike was sending around.

• Teacher Database Review

  Andy reviewed that as part of our website review earlier. Andy has updated the teacher data base based on input received from the consortium throughout this last year.

• Technical Report

  Steve indicated that the technology committee has not met but will be meeting next at Rodger Oesterle's shop in Stamford. The date for that meeting is March 2 at 10:00. We will check to see if Ted Ertl desires to use the ISDN connection rather than traveling. The technical group will look at some of the items that needs to be considered if we do have our NYSC&TE's presence.

• Departures

  This was Kay's last meeting and she has decided to take the retirement road. The Consortium presented her with a nice plaque thanking her for her many years of support of the Distance Learning students and Distance Learning courses. To satisfy our sweet tooth we also shared a cake with her at dinner the evening before.

  This will also be John Dixon=s last meeting as he rotates out and a new person takes his place on this committee. John thanked us for his prolonged participation but would like to be kept aware of what is going on with the consortium. We will keep his name on the Distance Learning Consortium mailing list. John indicated that Mike Warden will now be representing his region on the consortium steering committee.

• John Bierfeldt

  John retired this past year. He had asked to be kept on our list server so he can keep tabs as to what is going on with our consortium.

• Barb Cheskin

  She has taken a position outside the BOCES area and has left the distance learning consortium.

The tentative agenda for the next meeting

• Roundtable
• Committee Report
• NYSC&TE Conference
• NYSUT
• BUBL Field Trip
• Integration

These minutes will be posted on our website and e-mailed to our listserv. Anyone who wishes to have a hard copy of the minutes mailed to them please contact Steve Smith.