Attendees: James Halley, James Monti, Michael Shaughnessy, Sharon Hussey, Pam Christman, Steven Foehr, Peter Adamy, William Fiske, Howard Boksenbaum

Motion: Jim Halley moved, "to approve the June 4th minutes as amended." Howard Boksenbaum seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

New Business

FY2004 Audit Report

• Sharon congratulated Melanie on a successful and timely audit.
  
• Mike Shaughnessy noted that this is the first year RINET operated at a deficit, although that was to be expected.
  
  
• Motion: Jim Halley moved, "that we receive the auditors' report". Mike seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Proposed FY2005 Budget

• Sharon outlined the new breakdown of cost structure, and projected growth related to SIS project. RINET's new financial analysis and pricing structure is a big step forward.
  
• Steve reported that the latest word from RIDE is that they are granting $11 per student and RINET is invoicing for $20. RIDE is paying in full for four districts. In addition there is money for hardware to build out the datacenter-perhaps $320,000. The details are not clear at this point.
  
• Jim Monti suggested that if $22/student makes sense economically, we should have $22 on the books and amend later if need be.
  
• Jim Halley agreed-- RINET needs to budget $22 in any case, and for equipment we need to go back to what it costs us. This gives us the real business model, not reflecting the unclear situation with RIDE.
  
• Howard said that later we could always adjust or reflect RIDES gift in our financial report
  
• Bill Fiske noted that RINET needs an agreement with RIDE including language that indicates that RINET will keep the hardware for 5 years, so that we can put it in our books and keep it until the point where replacement is built into the model.
  
• Jim Monti stated that it is important that districts budget for $22. If it is reduced later, then it is a bonus.
  
• Steve noted that SchoolMax has agreed to start the license clock when the instance is built on the server.
  
• Sharon will write up amendment to budget to reflect the discussion.

• Motion: Mike moved, "to approve the budget as amended." Howard Boksenbaum seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Unfinished Business

Proposed Revisions to Strategic Plan

• Sharon has made some minor changes to reflect feedback from Pete and Mike.
  
• Goal A, Objective 2 and its action steps were out and language was added to reflect RINET's relationship with OSHEAN and higher education.

• Motion: Jim Halley made a motion for "approval of the strategic plan." Jim Monti seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Reports

Status of RINET-MUNI

• Sharon reported that all municipals are connected, and the contract was extended for one year and moved to DOIT under Tom Collins with intent to continue for 4 years.
  
• RIMUG (users group) was formed and meetings were scheduled for the year.
  
• Bandwidth testing for CVRS application is underway.
  
• Howard is to serve as Project Coordinator with recusal responsibilities in regards to votes related to RINET-MUNI.
  
• There will be a technical group to discuss firewalls and applications that run over the network-this experience will be beneficial to the schools as well.
  

Schedule for Meetings

Sharon proposed that business meetings will take place on the 3rd Friday and work sessions on the 1st Friday of the month. This was generally agreeable to all.

Committees

Grant committee

• Sharon remarked that we really do this ad hoc. When an opportunity comes along, relevant parties work together in committee.
  
• It is generally agreed that Sharon should spearhead the ongoing search for grant opportunities. Other board members will support her in this process. Jim M., Jan and Peter Adamy will assist.

Technical committee

• Jim Monti mentioned the pre-existing e-portfolio group at RIDE. These conversations do not usually involve technical discussion, and he feels e-portfolios and information services fit together. He projects that this will become a RINET issue because schools will be looking for a solution.
  
• Jim Halley said that this is a small piece of the data-driven reform model. The next step will be a data warehouse, then curriculums, standards, assessments, etc. It needs to be standardized for it to be effective.
  
• Jim Monti thought that RINET should undertake the same process as with the SIS. These systems need to be interoperable. Since funding is going out to schools, but there is no unified system, they'll all have to struggle to handle it separately.
  
• Sharon wondered-- if RINET were to manage the discussion like we did with SIS, who might want to come to the table? We would need to have a broad group to see what higher education is doing and see what the questions are.
  
• Jim Halley noted that many schools are overwhelmed by the high school regulations for graduation by proficiency.
  
• Mike proposed a more formal way of dealing with what we do and how we relate what we do to the goals. Our operations need to be more driven by our strategic plans.
  
• Sharon said that in this case, the proposed idea definitely matches up with the strategic plan.
  
• Should we perhaps add a Strategic Plan action step: Support the concept of the data driven reform movement, and take a leadership role.-Goal C, objective 2-may already be included.
  
• Jim Halley reiterated that this is really a broad issue, but a narrow group of people are currently involved. It is being looked at in a very disconnected way. We need agreement at the local level and a broad, connected way of addressing this issue. This issue is connected to content management, SIS, etc. Superintendents need to be involved.
  
• im Monti agreed and noted that Anteon has approached schools as part of data driven reform-- Anteon develops artificial intelligence, is a defense contractor and may want to be a part of this process.
  
• Bill Fiske urged caution-having Anteon at the table may diminish some folks' interest. Anteon is making a transition, while other companies may have more compatible business lines. We want this group to be free to search for the best solution.
  
• Jim Halley suggested that RINET should be involved in this as a partner with RISSA
  
• There is a need for a technical committee on the e-portfolio project, and Bill recommended that RINET set out and create a partnership because it is our responsibility. RINET needs to help develop a technical center to complement the conceptual center which has already been formed. The technical center needs to come up with a proposal for the technological aspects of implementation.
  
• Jim Monti suggested that RINET contact Ken Fish and find out which high schools are applying for the Gates grant to cover e-portfolios. Perhaps RINET can help to form a consortium of high schools to apply for a grant and serve as a model.
  
• Bill suggested that RINET send a letter to those schools doing digital portfolio and the same letter to others saying that this may be of interest to everyone-- Because this is about how we store our data, whether it is census info or student work. The term e-portfolio might be limiting-perhaps data convergence- or data management and digital portfolio convergence?
  
• Jim Halley will bring idea that this is a holistic, inclusive reform movement to the commissioner.

Governance committee

Sharon noted that this committee currently exists and needs to meet and discuss board structure. The committee is composed of Jim Monti, Peter Adamy, Bill Fiske, Sharon Hussey and Lee Rabbitt.

Policy for Videobridged Activities

• Sharon opened the topic for discussion.
  
• Mike Shaughnessy noted the key difference between sponsorship and providing access to customers when asked.
  
• Howard spoke of building an understanding about how this resource is used-to diffuse any misunderstanding of RINET's role. Another institution must be responsible for content, coordination and site support.
  
• Jim Monti confirmed that RINET's role is not content oriented at all.
  
• Bill Fiske stressed the importance of including a brief narrative piece in any policy- addressing the philosophy of the organization-RINET does not have the experience or people to work in instructional technology.
  
• Sharon concluded that a draft of a written policy would be put before the board at the next work session.