PAECT Board Meeting
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Hershey, PA (PETE & C Conference)
In attendance: Ronald Bennett, Jim Bolton, Martin Friedman, Mary Beth Hengelbrok, Linda LaCoe, Wally Leech, Sean McDonough, Jacqueline Smith and Bryan O’Black (Jana Baxter’s replacement).
Non-voting members present: Holly Jobe, Paul Welliver, Mary Ann Achorn, Karen Galbraith, Dan Shelley, Shirley Campbell, Celine Byers, Kevin Conner, Norton Gustie, Rick Nodark, Michael Golden.
President Friedman welcomed all members. President’s report – none.
Vice President’s report – none.
Treasurer Ron Bennett gave a detailed report of PAECT’s finances. He did note that he received a check in mid-December from PETE & C 2007 but the remainder was not yet received. Ron also noted that he will provide summary budget reports to each table at the annual business meeting being held this Monday, 2/12/07. Someone questioned what is the calendar year. Ron responded that it goes from September 1 to August 31. Ron also reminded members that he has their ribbons, to not forget the booth schedule, and make sure you hand out a member ribbon to all members who stop by the booth. Shirts will be for sale at the booth at a cost of $20. The booth will be right across from registration this year. Finally, PAECT members must come to the booth to get a lunch ticket for the joint lunch with PAIMS on Tuesday. These tickets will by available only to people who come to the booth.
Wally Leech thanked Ron for scheduling and caring for the booth.
There were changes made to the last board meeting minutes. First, the PA sales that went up refers to Geneva Logic. Changes were also made concerning information about the intern.
There was a motion to accept the corrected minutes. Seconded. No further discussion. Voice vote. Passed unanimously.
Jacquie Smith gave the Corresponding Secretary’s report. She sent letters to multiple higher ed people to attend the dessert reception on Monday at 12:30 p.m. in Cocoa 2.
Past President Jim Bolton discussed the awards ceremony and the elections of officers. Both of these events will be held at the Annual Business Meeting.
ISTE report discussed their reorganization and strategic plan changes in the ISTE board. One change will be identity and voice of the affiliates. It appears that we will have a stronger voice at the board level. A new tour in the cities may be set, but 2010 is DC and 2011 is Philadelphia.
Shirley discussed 21st Century. Wally asked what we are expecting as a result. Shirley responded that we are expecting a set of guidelines to support technology learning in the schools.
As Historian, Paul Welliver discussed the archives that he has been working with. The materials have been taken to Hershey School (thanks Wally).
There was a proposal for an electronic newsletter again. More discussion will occur on this topic in the board’s April meeting.
PDE Liaison, Sean McDonough updated the board that Michael Golden has resigned from PDE. Sean also announced that Michael will still attend PETE & C as his last official duties. Sean discussed how the support that we have given to many of the initiatives has been welcomed. Sean then turned the floor over to Holly Jobe. Holly thanked PAECT for her letter of congratulations on her new position in working with Classrooms of the Future for PDE. Holly announced that the equipment for this initiative is being delivered now. Classrooms of the Future includes 120 high schools in 79 school districts. The goal is for all 611 secondary schools to be a part of this within 3 years. Holly discussed how the initiative will involve doing teacher surveys to collect data from participants. This is to really “see” what is happening in the classroom since part of the initiative is to change what is happening in the classroom. In Holly’s words, it is not just infusing technology, but actually High School Reform and changing what is happening in the classroom. Holly stated that they will need interviewers (possibly in person or via phone) and this might be a good place for PAECT to join and help in the initiative. Another possible area might be in being facilitators. If you have other ideas, please contact Holly. Wally Leech asked what does it mean when she says interview. Holly stated that it will involve a questionnaire for total evaluation to ask how the program is going, what are the hiccups, what is working well, etc. Holly is thinking to do a pre and post interview. Sean reminded the group that CDW-G and Apple are partners for Classrooms of the Future and he suggested that if possible, stop by their booths or attend their scheduled events. In other PDE business, Sean reminded the group that PDE is looking for e-peer reviewers for tech plans, etc. Dan Shelley asked Sean if there is a replacement for Michael Golden. Sean stated not at this time.
Mary Ann Achorn of the Presence and Publications Committee updated the group that all items brought to her attention regarding the website have been brought up to date. Mary Ann stated that the student working on the web page for PAECT, Zorair Khalapyan, will be here all day Tuesday with 4 other students taking pictures. As a final note, Martin reminded members that when they email something to be updated, please copy the entire Presence Committee (which includes Mary Ann Achorn, Karen Galbraith, Jamie Plaster, and Martin Friedman).
Karen Galbraith updated the committee on the Student Showcase. It will be held May 21, 2007 Karen would appreciate anyone who can come and help. Applications are on the web. She has about 5-6 schools signed up at this point. Sean also alerted PDE. Karen stated that she sends invites to all legislators. As a reminder, schools may apply for up to $100 in travel expenses. This is stated on the application.
Mary Beth Hengelbrok, Northwest Regional Director updated the members present of the NPAECT Technology Fair and Student Showcase. It will be held on April 19, 2007 at the Tom Ridge Center. There is a lot of student and teacher interest. As a reminder, our board meeting is April 21 so you are more than welcome to attend the Showcase and stay over for the board meeting. Jim Bolton suggested an idea that was passed along to him that when moving board meetings around the state, a region might want to plan a regional event on Friday for directors to attend to showcase the region. We’ll add this to the discussions at the next virtual meeting.
Wally Leech, SouthCentral Regional Director reminded the board that as we put archives into Learning Resource Center, we need to remember that Paul is a great resource for things from the past. Wally said he would assume Paul would like to help when we have questions on why PAECT has done some things from the past. Wally also thinks that at times we would like to re-visit some of the archives to see what this organization has done in the past. Wally will be working with Jacquie to put the paper archives into a digital format. From his regional activities, Wally announced that some people from his region will be helping with the Student Showcase. He would also like to see him working with Mary Ann for additional items in the future for the region.
President Friedman updated those in attendance on PETE & C. He received 450 proposals for 197 slots. Sean McDonough will step down as President of PETE & C with Jim Gates taking over the presidency for next year’s event. We have received the largest amount of registrations this year. PETE & C seems to be doing very well. There will be a second survey going out on where to have the event but this survey will be going to people not coming and why. There will also be a question on this year’s evaluation form regarding location. According to Martin, we have about 1800 people attending this year. Celina Byers questioned that since the number of proposals are increasing, is there any thought of increasing the number of sessions or not? Martin thinks PETE & C will increase some rooms next year. There have also been some thoughts of having 5 sessions on Tuesday instead of 4. Other thoughts include overlapping days for certain sectors of people such as Monday-Tuesday sessions for certain groups and Tuesday-Wednesday sessions for other groups (with Tuesday being the overlap day for all groups). A concern that Martin has is that he does not want to spread the audience so thin that some sessions only have two to three attendees. Wally discussed concerns with accommodations while Jim suggested looking at a cap so quality is not sacrificed. Another member present suggested thoughts of adding a virtual piece to PETE & C where sessions are compiled in virtual form (narrated power point, podcasting, etc.) and available for some amount of time. Martin said these thoughts are already being discussed with the PETE & C board. As a final suggestion, Mary Ann said since we are across from the medical center, we might want to look into using their resources such as conference rooms.
As old business, Mark Radcliffe has identified software that would help us to manage membership better.
As Michael Golden entered the meeting, Martin Martin thanked Michael on behalf of PAECT and what he has done for us and the state. Michael wanted to re-phrase that it is really what we all did – we all worked together and that’s the most extraordinary thing that happened over the last few years. Michael continued by stating that people across the state are talking to each other, principals from different schools are visiting each other’s schools, etc. We’ve all shown leadership. In Michael’s words, he is “happy to be a spark, but thanks to all of us. Keep up the great work”. Michael is now with Pearson Education. We wish him the best of luck.
Martin discussed with the group his thoughts on the virtual meetings and encouraged all to participate.
Jacquie Smith reminded the group with the dates listed in the agenda that the October 13 meeting might be moved to the Northeast Region with Laura Matechak.
Future Meeting Dates:
March 24, 2007 – Virtual
April 21, 2007 – NW PA (Erie)
May 19, 2007 – Virtual
June 9, 2007 – Mid-PA (Hershey)
September 15, 2007 – Virtual
October 13, 2007 – SE-PA (Media) – Maybe moved to Northeast PA
November 18, 2007 – Virtual
January 12, 2008 – Mid-PA (Hershey)
February 10, 2008 – PETE & C
With no other business, Jim Bolton made a motion to adjourn. Wally Leech seconded. Meeting adjourned at 6:16 p.m.