Parents of Lewistown students:
Please consider providing the district with your feedback by taking the survey found at the link provided. Survey data is included on the Illinois School Report Card. Your feedback helps drive our educational decision making, and allows us to provide the best possible education for our students. The survey is open until March 13th, 2026.
http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Please consider providing the district with your feedback by taking the survey found at the link provided. Survey data is included on the Illinois School Report Card. Your feedback helps drive our educational decision making, and allows us to provide the best possible education for our students. The survey is open until March 13th, 2026.
http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
In honor of School Board Recognition month, we would like to recognize board member Ryan Bull. Ryan is a 2006 graduate of Lewistown Community High School and a 2010 graduate of the University of Illinois. Ryan has served on the Board since 2023. He lives in Liverpool with his wife Emily and their 3 children Peyton, Carter, and Cooper. Since graduating college Ryan has worked alongside his father operating the family farm. Ryan enjoyed a few years of volunteering as an assistant basketball coach at the High School under Brad Hatfill, and had a great experience as the 7th & 8th grade boys basketball coach for 2 years. In his free time Ryan enjoys being active with his kids, traveling with his wife, swimming at their lake, sports, and working on creative projects. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools
In honor of School Board Recognition month, we would like to recognize Lewistown CUSD #97 School Board President Dale Shaeffer who has served on the board since 2013. Dale is a 1985 graduate of Lewistown Community High School and works as Assistant Operations Manager at Fulton FS. He lives in rural Lewistown with his wife Lori. Dale’s two daughters, Courtney and Sydney, are both graduates of Lewistown High School and he has one grandson, Leo, who attends Lewistown Elementary. In his spare time Dale enjoys helping coach & referee volleyball, lazy days around the house, spending time with family, and he is a member of Temple Baptist Church. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.
Scott Shaeffer was elected to serve on the Lewistown Community Unit School District #97 Board of Education in April 2025. Scott is a 2007 graduate of Lewistown Community High School. He resides in rural Lewistown with his wife, Kacie, and their two children, Kredin and Klaudie. Scott is employed at Sister Creek Farms, where he has been farming for 17 years. He has been actively involved in youth athletics for several years, including serving as a coach for 5th and 6th grade boys’ basketball at Lewistown Elementary for three years. In addition, he has coached biddy basketball and currently coaches the 10U LVC travel baseball team. Scott also serves as a board member for the LVC JFL football program and is a member of Temple Baptist Church. He has participated in the St. Jude Lewistown to Peoria Run for five years. In his free time, Scott enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and practicing sports with his children. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.
In honor of School Board Recognition Month, we are proud to recognize Mark Smith for his 11 years of dedicated service to our school board. Mark was a member of the 1993 State Champion Baseball team and is a 1994 graduate of Lewistown Community High School. He went on to become an All-American baseball player in junior college before transferring to Eastern Illinois University and earning his BS from Western Illinois University.
Mark lives in Lewistown with his wife, Dawn, and their daughters, Avery and Landry. He has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and currently serves as U.S. General Manager overseeing urology, oncology, and men’s health.
A committed community leader with deep local roots, Mark brings both professional expertise and passion for service to the board. In his free time, he enjoys time with his family, sporting events, and concerts. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.
Mark lives in Lewistown with his wife, Dawn, and their daughters, Avery and Landry. He has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and currently serves as U.S. General Manager overseeing urology, oncology, and men’s health.
A committed community leader with deep local roots, Mark brings both professional expertise and passion for service to the board. In his free time, he enjoys time with his family, sporting events, and concerts. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.
In honor of School Board Recognition month, we would like to recognize Lewistown School Board Secretary Scott Cripe who has served on the board for 13 years. Scott is a graduate of Astoria High School and Western Illinois University. Scott lives in rural Lewistown with his wife Amanda. His three children, Lydia, Charlie, and Adah all graduated from Lewistown Community High School. Involved in the agriculture industry his whole life, Scott works as a Market Advisor for Western Grain Marketing. Scott enjoys hunting & fishing in his spare time and is a die-hard fan of the St Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears and the Fighting Illini. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.
In honor of School Board Recognition month, we would like to recognize board member Josh Miller who has served on the board since April of 2025. Josh is a 1996 graduate of Lewistown Community High School. He lives in rural Lewistown with his wife Candi and their son Zack. Josh is employed as the Director of Field Operations at Aupperle Construction in Morton, Illinois. Josh has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry directing on site operations, ensuring safety compliance, and maintaining high quality standards. In his free time, Josh enjoys hunting and assists his wife with 4-H activities for the Busy Bee Club. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.
In honor of School Board Recognition month, we would like to recognize the dedicated individuals who tirelessly serve our community as board members. Elaine Stone is Vice President of the Lewistown CUSD #97 Board of Education and has served on the board for 9 years. A graduate of the University of Illinois College of Agriculture, and a native of Litchfield, IL Elaine has lived in Lewistown since 1992. She is married to Jeff Stone, a parent of Justin (Cassie) and Tysin Stone, and grandparent to Cameron and Regan Stone. Elaine is the Executive Director of the Fulton County Farm Bureau. She currently serves the community as secretary of the Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development, and secretary of the Fulton County 911 Board. Elaine serves as Trustee for the Fulton County Housing Authority and is a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church. In her spare time Elaine enjoys camping and horseback riding. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.
This is a reminder that Lewistown Schools will dismiss early on Friday, January 30th for school improvement planning and staff training. All high school students and early bus riders will dismiss at 11:15am, Central/Elementary walking and pick-up students will be dismissed at 11:20am, and the Central/Elementary buses will dismiss at 11:30am.
Due to extreme cold temperatures in the morning and the possibility of blowing snow on some of our secondary roads, Lewistown schools will have an e-Learning day Monday, January 26th. The details of the district’s e-Learning Plan can be found at http://tinyurl.com/semcjzb8. Please monitor district communications for further updates.
Follow the links below to see information on some exciting employment opportunities with Lewistown schools and the LVC co-op.
LVC Assistant HS Football - https://aptg.co/fqFLdr
JH-HS PE Teacher - https://aptg.co/BCKNcZ
JH Girls Basketball Coach - https://aptg.co/H4xptm
Custodian (2nd Shift) - https://aptg.co/tj1SR-
LVC Assistant HS Football - https://aptg.co/fqFLdr
JH-HS PE Teacher - https://aptg.co/BCKNcZ
JH Girls Basketball Coach - https://aptg.co/H4xptm
Custodian (2nd Shift) - https://aptg.co/tj1SR-
Due to extreme cold temperatures tomorrow, Lewistown Schools will have an e-Learning day on Friday, January 23rd. The details of the district’s e-Learning Plan can be found at http://tinyurl.com/semcjzb8. Please monitor district communications for further updates.
Students with disabilities from three through twenty-one years of age who reside in this area generate federal support for special education programs. In order to receive these funds, federal and state regulations require that an annual needs assessment be completed.
Please answer the questions in the survey below to the best of your knowledge. This information will assist the district in planning for special education and related needs for the 2026-2027 school year.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PNGDSWC
Please answer the questions in the survey below to the best of your knowledge. This information will assist the district in planning for special education and related needs for the 2026-2027 school year.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PNGDSWC
This is a reminder that Lewistown CUSD 97 will have a early dismissal tomorrow, December 19th. All High School students and Central/Elementary walking and pick-up students will be dismissed at 1:45. The Central/Elementary buses will dismiss at 2pm. We will be back in session on Tuesday, January 6th. Enjoy the holiday break!
Due to the conditions of some of our secondary bus routes, Lewistown schools will have an e-Learning day today, December 15, 2025. Kindergarten through 4th grade students should reference the E-Learning Day packets that were previously sent home. 5th through 12th grade students should access their Google Classrooms for their daily assignments. Please monitor district communications for further updates. The details of the district’s e-Learning Plan can be found at http://tinyurl.com/semcjzb8
Please follow the link for information about a job opening with Lewistown CUSD 97
https://aptg.co/21khzY
https://aptg.co/21khzY
This is a reminder that Lewistown Schools will dismiss early on Friday, December 5th for school improvement planning and staff training. All high school students and early bus riders will dismiss at 11:15am, Central/Elementary walking and pick-up students will be dismissed at 11:20am, and the Central/Elementary buses will dismiss at 11:30am.
This is a reminder that Lewistown CUSD 97 will have a early dismissal tomorrow, November 25th. All High School students and Central/Elementary walking and pick-up students will be dismissed at 1:45. The Central/Elementary buses will dismiss at 2pm. We will be back in session on Monday, December 1st. Enjoy the holiday break!
This morning, Lewistown Central Elementary School was placed in a “soft lockdown” status, meaning no one was allowed to enter or exit the building and students were kept in their classrooms. This measure was taken out of an abundance of caution after we received information that a note was found that indicated a possible threat of violence. Local law enforcement was contacted and responded immediately and investigated the situation. The soft lockdown status has now been lifted, and there is no threat to students or staff.
We appreciate the quick response of our local police and the cooperation of our students and staff in following safety procedures. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.
We appreciate the quick response of our local police and the cooperation of our students and staff in following safety procedures. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.
Thank you to Nick and Amy Christy who presented a donation of $5000 to Lewistown FFA on behalf of the Lewistown Truck and Tractor Pull. Your support of these students and this program is greatly appreciated!
