Hey @legtod2, this sounds like a great project to work on.
You will definitely need a Raspberry Pi 3 - the earlier models are too slow to handle the Mycroft processing
Jessie lite is what we’re currently using, although I know that @steve.penrod and his team are working on a new Picroft build that will be based around Raspbian Stretch
I would definitely install the IP skill and the system skills so that it makes it easier to do troubleshooting
Also, recommend installing the playback-control skill as well