Leadership Council Meeting Minutes

Leadership Council Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 2:00 – 4:00 PM Central Time Face to Face: Southeast Community College, 301 S. 68th Street, Room 302 OR Zoom Web Conferencing Software https://zoom.us/j/759193102 Present: Kelly Clapp, Doug Kittle (via distance), Dennis Headrick, Julie Otero, John Blaylock, Carol Andringa, Allyson Olson (via distance), Lori Biesecker (via distance) , Jody Tomanek, Jason Stratman (via distance), Deb Brennan.

Absent: Connie Eickhorn

Guests: Rich Kat, Heath Mellow

Rich Katt distributed a handout addressing Perkins Reauthorization, Nebraska Perkins Plan, and Future of PFI. He indicated we would likely see Perkins Reauthorization in 2016. Reauthorization discussion has centered on alignment to labor markets and economic priorities, H3 jobs, public/private partnerships, employer engagement, secondary/postsecondary alignment, new performance matrices, professional development, innovation, work-based learning. Will not be a major rewrite but more tweaking. Transition year will probably be 2017-2018 with new legislation in place for 2018-19 with option for states to accelerate.

PFI is required in NE plan with 10% maximum but no minimum. Rich cautioned the danger and difficulty of changing state plan indicating it would be better to give consideration under new State Plan under reauthorization.

Future of PFI has not been questioned by federal but some concern about PFI separation from NDE and Perkins/CTE leadership with differing agendas. Dr. Ryan Floor and Katie Graham are new hires at NDE with Teri Sloup promoted as Perkins Grant Manager. Revision process and career academy work now covered by NDE. PFI will determine contribution amount to be requested by PFI historically done about October.

Rich presented a project proposal for development of STEM strategy for state of Nebraska as response to ongoing conversations with UNL. NDE is planning for a Summit on Dec 2, 2015 with the support of Commissioner of Education.

Rich also presented a dual-credit partnership proposal for funding for dual credit and AP to support a third party independent analysis to look at Nebraska. NACEP has expressed interest in doing for NE; considering a policy scan to address needs, data analysis and obstacles and opportunities. PFI would be viewed as non-political to sponsor this and there is a need to have an independent study done by a third party. Rich provided handouts “Integrating Earning College Credit in High School into Accountability Systems” (by Achieve) for committee review.

Rich shared that NDE feels pretty isolated from PFI other than Revision process for last few years and wants to improve the collaboration. Rich is hopeful for NDE to be more involved with PFI by himself, Ryan, and Katie.

The budget report was distributed showing the current account balances and anticipated expenditures. This was prepared by Erika Volker prior to her departure and indicates but about $36,000 of excess funds. The Committee reviewed with the intent to finalize and simplify during this transition time.

PFI Committee members asked Rich for his perspective on structure and process of PFI. Rich had previously put together a state advisory in putting together a new state plan that was then dissolved. This PFI group could serve in that capacity. The bigger CTE grows it is still nice to have a statewide group to go to for discussion and advisory. Strength of PFI is bringing secondary and postsecondary together. NDE does not have a strong presence with community colleges other than PFI. PFI anticipated being approached by Nebraska Career Education and Innovation Foundation (NCEIF) with Health Mellow (NCEIF Director) sometime during the year regardless of Erika’s departure. NCEIF informally indicated about 3% fees but Kelly asked for a more formal proposal and ability to share today’s handouts with distance committee members.

A handout about the benefits of being an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) was distributed. NCEIF has been asked to provide a similar proposal including the legal and liability benefits as well as financial consideration. It was noted that NCF has done a great job in past with personnel review and payroll. NCEIF would need stability after first 3 years (donor funded for first 3 years for Exec Director). History of NCF is longer and well-established. It was noted that NCEIF had a closer alignment of CTE mission. Heath Mellow addressed PFI about his background and distributed handout. NCEIF also works with Grafton Associations with the CSOs groups. Currently Heath is the only employee of NCEIF with the help of other Board members. PFI Committee asked for a more formal proposal to be discussed at next meeting.

NCEIF will be directing the Nebraska Career Connections across the state to what has been done and what could be improved. They have been working on a marketing campaign and promoting best practices for programs and initiatives (example: STEM strategy and dual credit). NCEIF will promote career readiness across Nebraska and build strong private sector support for CTE for public policy purposes.

Rich shared NDE Career Education Study Committee Report with Committee. The report attempts to build a comprehensive plan and partnerships for CTE. Sept 8 they had Foundation Board meeting with community colleges about the framework identified by NCE. Similar meetings are being planned to obtain greater statewide capacity for operational efficiencies and provide clearinghouse at a lower cost with better collaboration. NCEIF would like to be that common area to do that for CTE with a bigger umbrella including federal, state, and private funding.

Rich Katt and Heath Mellow then fielded questions from PFI Committee members.

Rich provided commentary that NCEIF can be a fundraiser and promoter of the NE Career Education System.

Dennis Headrick asked if someone from PFI could sit on NCEIF Board with Heath responding that that Board membership is evolving but did not see that as a problem.

Heath Mellow shared that CSOs use Grafton and this Foundation for their accounting and administration. They are in negotiations for CSOs right now to help them generate more revenue. The Foundation was able to identify a donor to cover the Executive Director’s position for 3 years to build more long-term Foundation support for CTE outside of NCE. NCEIF works with an investment firm for investing of monies with minimal fees for operational costs. CSOs moving their reserve funds into NCEIF Foundation for working with their investments. NCEIF has short term focus but long term vision of endowment for CTE across state. They are concentrating on building up the infrastructure now.

We need to have PFI group because in present state Perkins plan without much flexibility. A revised state plan would have to be approved after new legislation and that would be next opportunity to revise PFI plan (with public hearings, etc.)

PFI Committee thanked Rick Katt and Heath Mellow for their information as they departed the meeting.

It was noted that the current contract with NE Foundation is 5% commitment with ability to depart at any time. About $450,000 is with the Foundation now with $35,000 committed for this year’s PFI commitments. The Committee agreed to ask for a formal NCEIF proposal including more information about Grafton’s role. The Committee desired to find out whether funds (beyond the emergency fund allocation) would be invested or just earn interest from each Foundation.

Discussion then centered on hiring Erika’s replacement and the amount of time, expertise, and background desired. Kelly noted that Erika is still doing the fiscal work for PFI but privately and willing to do through 2015. The Committee discussed attributes of the current structure and needs for new director. The Committee noted that the PFI program of work for this year has been defined with most spent on professional development.

Dennis indicated that community colleges have had more collaborative conversations but asked whether secondary is having regular conversations and getting enough benefits. Carol described NDE fall leadership conferences which might be most comparable to postsecondary collaborations. NDE and the Director for PFI are the main communicators for secondary with PFI.

Carol reviewed that legislation for PFI centers around 3 main areas: secondary/postsecondary transitions, curriculum in emerging areas, and technical skill assessment. PFI Committee members agreed that they cannot do the work of the Director in addition to their present responsibilities.

Kelly appreciated NCEIF’s vision for the state and making some progress on big tough items. Discussion pursued about the power and ability of PFI to carry out mission. All present and distance committee members agreed to pursue immediate search for new Director with volunteers from secondary and postsecondary for an interview committee. The job description was briefly reviewed indicating it still captured the essence of the position but that Erika performed some additional tasks as needs developed and were approved. Committee members gave comment to perhaps include 3 years’ experience, technology, professional development, consideration from private sector, more emphasis on project management, and adding knowledge of CTE at state and federal levels. These will be incorporated into a new draft before position is hired. The Committee agreed to expedite the hiring process to get it advertised so that a review of the applications and interview times could be set up. Members volunteered with Dennis and Kelly making selections about interview team based primarily on equal representation of secondary and postsecondary.

Discussion was held about full time or part time indicating better commitment with full time but that workload was also a consideration. At this time, it will be pursued as full time employment. Dennis and Kelly will draft a full-time proposal to be considered at Oct 2 meeting.

Immediate future dates for PFI Committee are Oct 2 (by zoom), Dec 4 (North Platte face –to-face mg logistics arranged by Jody Tomanek. The reimbursement form for mileage is still on PFI website and members were encouraged to submit for meetings. Appreciation was expressed to Dennis and Kelly for their work during this interim time.

Future Meeting Dates October 2, 2015 Zoom Software 9 – 10:30 Central Time December 4, 2015 North Platte 10:00 – 3:00 Central Time February 5, 2016 Zoom Software 9 – 10:30 Central Time April 1, 2016 Zoom Software 9 – 10:30 Central Time May 27, 2016 CCC Kearney Center Please reserve 10 AM – 3:00 PM, Central Time