District Office: Staff Bios

Meet Steve Lechliter...

...USD 246 Network / Systems Administrator

July 05, 2007

Steve Lechliter is a 45-year-old Network Architect/Administrator practicing his craft for almost 20 years. Steve was born in Kansas City, KS and lived there until June of 2004.

Steve attended White Church Elementary School, Eisenhower Jr. High, and Washington High School. Steve’s father, Rudy Lechliter was a senior computer systems programmer at the Federal Reserve Bank of KCMO. Rudy also was a professional trumpet player, which is where Steve obtained his love for music. Steve’s mother was first and foremost a homemaker, but also worked as a executive secretary for Eldon Miller Trucking, White Church Elementary School, and retired as secretary to the President at the Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Steve started his carrer at the Federal Reserve Bank of KCMO as an offset pressman. Steve returned to school in 1983 at the KCK Area Vocational School where he studied electronics for two years. Steve also worked part time, teaching Adult Education at AVTS. Steve Joined Midwest Typewriter & Computer in 1985. Steve spearheaded the Computer Production Department where MTC built, configured, and serviced the MTC brand computers. Steve installed the first Novell Network at MTC and helped them become a Novell Gold Reseller. Steve soon moved to work at Commerce Bancshares. Steve’s accomplishments include, implementation of the GroupWise email system, implementation of a switched token-ring campus network, and later replacement with a Cisco layer 3 switched campus network. Steve was also involved in design, maintenance and installation of a 219 site wide area network to all of Commerce's retail locations. When Commerce outsourced in 2000, Steve moved to DST Systems until he lost his job due to staff reductions after Sept 11, 2001. Unable to find an IT job, Steve obtained his commercial driver's license and drove an eighteen wheeler for about 9 months. Steve then accepted a position with Durham School Services in Lansing KS as a bus driver.

In 2004, Steve’s family relocated to Ellis KS after Steve’s wife accepted a job with Hays Medical Center. Steve worked for USD 489 and DSNWK driving buses to make ends meet. In July of 2006, Steve accepted the position as Director of Technology with Thomas More Prep - Marian High School where he could use his skills as a network administrator. Steve Joined Northeast USD 246 on June 25th and currently resides in Arcadia.

Steve is a former law enforcement officer, General Class Amateur Radio Operator, Square Dance Caller, and a Member of Wyandotte Lodge No. III (AFAM). Steve's wife Edie, children Jeff (21), Tracey (17), Stephanie (9) and Andrew (5) in still reside in Ellis. They visit Steve often, and plan to rejoin Steve once the house in Ellis is sold.