LEWISTOWN, MO – May 6, 2025 – The Lewis County C-1 School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Scifres as the new Principal of Highland Elementary School, effective for the 2025-2026 school year. Mr. Scifres brings over 20 years of experience in education, including the past 8 years in administrative leadership at Highland Elementary, where he currently serves as the Assistant Principal.
Mr. Scifres has a proven record of fostering a safe, inclusive, and student-centered environment and a deep commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. His leadership philosophy emphasizes creating an environment where students feel valued, teachers are empowered, and learning is engaging and equitable. He believes that students learn best by doing, through active, hands-on learning connected to real-world experiences.
As an elementary school leader, Mr. Scifres views the purpose of education as preparing children not just for academic success, but for life. Mr. Scifres stated, “The elementary years are critical for laying the foundation for lifelong learning, character development, and social growth. Beyond academic subjects, students are seen as learning how to be kind, work together, solve problems, and navigate an ever-changing world with confidence and integrity.”
Central to Mr. Scifres' philosophy is the belief that students must feel safe, supported, and loved, prioritizing relationships above curriculum and instruction in elementary school. He strives to build a trusting environment where all students can thrive. He describes his leadership style as leading with patience, empathy, fairness, and consistency, emphasizing that strong leadership is about serving others, being present, listening, and fostering a culture of collaboration and shared purpose.
Current Highland Elementary Principal, Larry Post, stated, “Mr. Scifres is familiar with the school's strengths, challenges, and culture, having built meaningful relationships with students, supported teachers, and has collaborated with families during his time as Assistant Principal.” Superintendent John French added, “Paul is dedicated to fostering initiatives consistent with the district's objectives, such as the Success Ready Student Network (SRSN). This framework prioritizes competency-based learning, authentic assessment, and student agency. He also supports the principles of Redefining Ready, which emphasizes the development of real-world skills and the preparation of students for college and career pathways by establishing robust foundational skills and relevance beginning in elementary school.” Mr. Scifres has a strong belief in utilizing data team meetings to drive instruction and support student success by analyzing student data and making informed decisions collaboratively with staff, and is familiar with the district’s implementation of Title I services to provide targeted academic support and emphasize family engagement.
With educational experience that includes 12 years as a classroom teacher, managing student discipline, conducting teacher evaluations, and supporting instructional best practices, Mr. Scifres brings a wealth of knowledge to the role. He is also licensed as a school bus driver and currently serves as a regular substitute when needed.
Mr. Scifres expressed, "This position isn’t just a job to me—it’s an opportunity to continue serving a school and community I deeply care about. I have a vision for what Highland can continue to become, and I have the experience, relationships, and dedication needed to lead that work”.
The Lewis County C-1 School District is confident that Mr. Scifres' dedication to student success, his collaborative approach, and his deep understanding of the Highland Elementary community make him the ideal leader to guide the school moving forward.