Technology guru to retire
John Kidney has guided school technology programby CARRIE OLSON Daily Freeman-Journal Staff Writer
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In the past thirty years, computers have gone from bulky hulking machines to sleek tools, crucial to our lives.
One person who has paid much attention to the change is John Kidney, Director of Technology of Webster City Schools.
"As a business teacher at the high school, I was here when they got the first four Apple Plus computers in 1981," Kidney said. "They put one computer in each level. We were teaching data processing but using the old key-punch systems. Another business teacher, Al Haberman, and myself asked if we could get more computers to use in our data processing classes. We purchased 12 more computers and taught 24 in a class."
"From those 24 computers, we now have over 500 computers in the school district," he continued. "My position from then simply evolved. I had one free period to work on computers, then two. I have not taught any classes for the past five years and have just been the technical director."
Kidney has kept the district up-to-date on the new technology as computers have changed from being a small fascination to a great importance.
"Computers have gone from what we would call a 'casual machine,' almost a typewriter replacement," he said. "Now it's 'machine critical' for the entire school system. If our computers stop functioning for some reason, it's hard for our system to function normally. It has become so ingrained not only for the administration but for the instructional side as well.
Although he has been key to the evolving technology, he considers himself as an assistant to the school.
"A lot of times, I am more of a support person," Kidney said. "I'm there to just support people so that they can do their job well, from the teachers to the buildings and grounds crew."
He gives much of the credit for the technology available to the school to two components.
"One has been the instructional support levy that we have had for 13 years," he said. "That has provided funds that allow us to expand the technology for students and staff in all the buildings. Without that revenue fund, we would be sitting far back from where we should be."
"Also, ten years ago, the City of Webster City allowed me to purchase dark fiber so that each building is able to have fiber optics," Kidney continued. "All the computers are able to have access to the same things because the system is all centralized. A lot of schools are struggling with how they connect their buildings."
Kidney has been able to stay on top of new technology and products.
"I do a lot of technical reading and I also attend a few conferences," he said. "There is a state-wide conference for technical directors of schools. Vendors come and show products, hardware and software."
One of the products that he found is the new smart boards that are in all the kindergarten and second grade classrooms. The boards are interactive, allowing kids to touch the screen making black boards obsolete.
"Smart boards are an extension of what we call our "smart classroom," he said. "Every classroom in the middle school and high school has a data projector, computer, VCR and DVD player and co-ax television. The smart board takes the screen away and literally puts up a board that the students can touch. It's awesome to see the kids interacting and helping one another on the smart boards."
Kidney said that they plan to bring the technology to first-and third-grades and eventually continue with the middle and high school.
"It brings a new level of student engagement," he said.
Most technology is quite expensive and Kidney and the school district must look at what would best fit in their system.
"We are always looking at new technologies," he said. "Most of what we have focused on in the last few years has been technology integration in the classroom. Whenever we get a new series, such as math or reading, we focus on the multimedia content that comes with it, so that there is connectivity. We have to meet the instructional needs of the students."
Integral changes have happened in the past few years to computer instruction for the district.
"We moved keyboarding from the middle school and high school to third-and fourth-grade," Kidney said. "When they start learning, it's fun. If we wait to have these classes in high school, they have been keyboarding and may have bad skills, which are hard to break."
"Now we have technology application integration for the middle school and a choice of classes at the high school level," he said.
One change included adding the Pathway Labs to the middle school when it was built.
"We looked at new ways of providing "industrial arts," when we built the middle school," Kidney said. "We wanted to bring a new approach to that. Now there are 17 modules with different career areas. In March, we will be replacing some of the modules and refreshing others."
Another change has been the addition of WCTV in the high school.
"We had wanted a communications center," he said. "We try to refresh the technology whenever we can. Right now, we have a wide-screen television, electronic teleprompters and digital camera. WCTV is a communications course that has just exploded with what we now have in the studio."
Now, the technology specialists must look at their involvement with the new competition gym that will be added to the high school.
"We will have to look at the data that is needed," he said. "But again we are there as support staff."
"The bond issue that was just past is a shining star," he said. "An industry that looks at our community will look at our school system."
Kidney has considered his job a partnership with all, staff and students. He will be missed by those connections, as Kidney retires on May 27.
"It has been such a blast," he said. "I will miss working with everyone. I just have enjoyed my job immensely."
"I have mixed emotions about retiring," Kidney continued. "But there is a point when you have to say it's time. I have two outstanding people who are going to step in and keep the motor running. There won't be a set back or hiccup in the road."
Mark Murphy will take over as technology director. Joe Wakeman has just started as a network specialist with the school.
Kidney plans on taking an Alaskan cruise with his wife, Linda, after he retires.
"I also plan on spending a lot of time with my kids and my five grandchildren," he said.
And while he has been with the school district for 39 years, starting his teaching career in the fall of 1971, he has nothing but wonderful things to say about the place he calls home.
"It has been nice to mold and shape the technology within this district," Kidney said. "I take pride in seeing the kids use the technology."
"The community has been a wonderful place to grow up and raise my kids," he said. "Our educational system is outstanding and a real asset, as new people and new industries come in. Webster City is awesome."
And he just wants to say thanks.
"I want to thank the people I work with," Kidney said. "It just has been my pleasure."
Contact Carrie Olson at 832-4350 or lifestyles@freemanjournal.net
