IT Department:

It’s not hard to see that technology has become a central focus in our daily life as students. What we don’t see is the people behind the technology, making sure everything we’re logging onto throughout the day is running smoothly.

Here at LHS we have about twenty people on the Information Technology staff, making sure we are able to access all of the computers, Chromebooks, iPads, overhead projectors, Smart Boards and more.

For example, Mr. Temple Murphy, LHS’s network manager, is in charge of making sure our school network is always secure and up and running. Whenever you log onto a device at LHS, Mr. Murphy has made sure that that device is running smoothly and safely.

Mr. Murphy admits to not having much student interaction, but when he does it is mainly at the beginning of the school year when students are having the most trouble logging into technology around the school.

As for Murphy’s favorite part of the job, he really enjoys the people and the dynamics of the job itself.

“I work with a really great group of people, that one of my favorite aspects of the job,” said Mr. Murphy, “things are always changing in IT and that’s what keeps it interesting.”

Alongside Mr. Murphy, Mr. Eli Kelly is our desktop support, making sure that every Smart Board, computer, or other piece of technology is operating smoothly. From 7a.m.-3:30p.m each day, Kelly runs a help desk system which lets teachers and students report any technology troubles they may be having, big or small. In addition to that he makes suggestions and recommendations for new technology that he thinks would be beneficial to LHS, such as the new Chromebooks we got last year.

As for students, Kelly commented that he hasn’t had much student interaction throughout his seven years here at LHS, but does say that when he does, he gets positive feedback the majority of the time.

“We’re used to working behind the scenes, so when we don’t hear anything we know we’re doing a good job and no one is complaining,” said Kelly.

Outside of their jobs here at LHS, Mr. Kelly likes to record music and he plays at a jazz festival in New Orleans each year. Mr. Murphy likes to spend time with his family and volunteer with his son at Boy Scouts.

Buildings and Grounds:

With this years’ excessive snow, steam leak problems, and last years school flood, the buildings and grounds department has been working overtime. Here at LHS you could catch the B&G staff anytime from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., 8 a.m to 6 p.m, or anytime in between, working split shifts to salt sidewalks, repair broken pipes, or doing something else vital to keeping the school up and running.

Director of Buildings and Ground, Mr. Chris Stancil, says that in times of need he has worked 19-hour shifts. Though he tries not to stay too late each day, he comes to school early to see what business the day will bring. With 57 employees under him, Mr. Stancil mostly oversees larger, long-term projects and the things you don’t really notice going on around the hallways.

With all the snow this year LHS relied on what Mr. Stancil likes to call “Snow Command,” a branch of the Buildings and Ground department that takes care of pre-planning based on weather forecasts, coming in early and making sure everything, including Brainerd and Diamond, is plowed, in addition to salting the ice on the sidewalks and street.

“We have used 100 tons of rock salt this winter along with 25,000 pounds of salt mix,” said Mr. Stancil, “It’s safety first when it comes to the students and staff at LHS, we can afford salt but we can’t afford anyone getting hurt.”

Mr. Russ Hendricks, a former helicopter mechanic and 9 year LHS staff member, works along side Mr. Stancil, keeping department schedules, organizing state inspections, taking buses to get their oil changed, and making sure the fire and sprinkler system testing goes smoothly.

Though Mr. Hendricks is a bit older than some of the other Buildings and Grounds staff, that doesn’t stop him from working 6 a.m – 2:30 p.m. each day, staying exceptionally organized and keeping a schedule for the people working around him.

“I’ve been in this line of work since 1970,” said Mr. Hendricks, “I’m 70 years old and still get around just as well as the younger guys I’m working with, I enjoy my job.”

When it comes to appreciation of the B&G department, Mr. Hendricks agrees that students don’t realize what’s going on behind the scenes at their own school.

“Teachers know what we do, and they thank us, students don’t appreciate it as much,” said Hendricks.

That being said, like Mr. Kelly in the tech department, Mr. Stancil agrees and says, “This is a service industry, you know when you’re doing a good job when no one complains and you don’t hear anything negative.”

Outside of LHS Mr. Stancil likes to ride and build motorcycles and work on mechanics projects with this son and daughter, as well as take out his 1969 Cutlass. Mr. Hendricks on the other hand likes playing cards and traveling with his wife to places like South Dakota and Canada.