Flockhart: hardwired for technology

By Mary Zielinski
Mid-Prairie’s first and to date only technology director navigates the computer world like someone from writer William Gibson’s cybertech universe. In practical terms, Sean Flockhart sets up computer programs, troubleshoots them, provides a lot of support for staff and students and even repairs their laptops. Oh yes, there is also maintaining the 18 servers used in the district, all with different programs.
“There’s quite a variety every day,” he says of his work, “and it’s always different.”
For the district a major difference is having Flockhart aboard for two years, something best covered by Superintendent Mark Schneider who said, “He has more than paid or himself.”
Schenider was referring to having the director avialable full-time rather than contracting for services.
“It means not only do we get service, but he provides instruciton for staff and students.”
However, the contractor, Information Services USA of Hiawatha was Flockhart’s previous employer which meant, “I already knew quite a lot about Mid-Prairie,” he said. It was knowledge that ensured he would not hestiate to get the job here, despite having several private sector options.
Among recent tasks has been installing programs for the languages Mid-Priarie offers, including Chinese and Arabic, at the elementary schools.
The elementary schools all use MACs and the seondary PCs.
“It would be easier if they were all the samne,” he said, but the different computers run different (in some cases mroe varied) programs. And, there are a lot of programs for eveything from reading to naviating the web.
The Internet use has meant blocking access to certain sites, something Flockhart acknowledges “is a constant battle.”
The blocking is not for what many would consider clearly inappropriate sites, but areas that while okay for high schoolers is not right for primary grades.
Nor is as simple as a white list and black list since “there is quite an area of grey” when it comes to technology.
He also handles hardware and software purchases where “you really try to stay ahead of the wave” or at the very least “ride the wave.” Volume buying helps with the budget, but in the computer world, a year is a long time and five approach ancient.
Of course he stays current on hardware and programs, noting “there are a lot of courses” available, but it is a good idea to see “exactly what they are geared to.”
The 50-50 sharing agreement with Keota for technology support will not alter Flockhart’s schedule.
“Keota gains a one-day (per week) media specialist” he said which includes two other staff members, and Flockhart will provide backup as he does right now at Mid-Prairie.
A graduate of Wartburg College, Flockhart has been ingterested in computers since childhood and sees it as an expanding universe, especially here “which is a great district to work in.”