Michael P. West, with a rich legacy of over three and a half decades in the realm of education, embarked on his professional journey as a science educator, alongside coaching football and baseball at Arkansas City High School. Hailing originally from South Dakota, West honed his expertise across South Dakota, Kansas, and Wyoming, prior to establishing roots in Colusa in 1986. His relentless dedication saw him climb the ladder from a teacher to an administrator within the Colusa Unified School District, eventually leading him to be elected as the Colusa County Superintendent of Schools in 2015.

Superintendent West’s journey is characterized by his unyielding commitment to community enhancement, reflected through his active memberships and leadership roles in 12 local committees. For a span of 36 years, he, along with his wife Janis, successfully managed a small-scale business, nurtured by the collective efforts of their three offspring and three grandchildren. As the Superintendent of Schools, West’s mission revolves around delivering exemplary leadership, drawing from a well of teaching and administrative insights, business savvy, political astuteness, and a heartfelt passion for enlightening the children, educators, parents, and residents of Colusa County.

On the academic front, Superintendent West boasts a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education, augmented with a Minor in Physical Science from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. Further, he acquired a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Brandman University, Irvine, California. Beyond academia, West is a seasoned 2nd Degree Blackbelt in Taekwondo and Hapkido. His accolades include induction into the Black Hills State University Hall of Fame for Baseball in 1996, the Colusa County Hall of Fame in 2016, and being recognized as the Best Public Official in 2021. His exemplary leadership was further celebrated in 2023 when he was honored with the California County Superintendents Executive Leadership Award.