California High School welcomes a new principal

Submitted 
Principal Jeff West steps into the the role of California High School principal this month. As someone new to California, his goal is to maintain the positive relationship between the school and the community.
Submitted Principal Jeff West steps into the the role of California High School principal this month. As someone new to California, his goal is to maintain the positive relationship between the school and the community.

Community support will continue to play an important for California High School.

The California R-I School District will be welcoming many new faces in the upcoming semester. One will be new high school Principal Jeff West.

As the district said goodbye to Sean Kirksy, who went to a different school district, West officially stepped into the role effective Friday. Although he has not met any staff as the official principal yet, he has encountered a few residents as a new community member.

After moving into his new property, West said he took advantage of the opportunity to meet with the public. He explained since this initial interaction, he's witnessed nothing but support.

"It's been a very inviting community. They seem very supportive of the school in general," West said. "It's important (to them) that they support the school. You can see that through the signs up for state championships or district championships. I know from an activity standpoint there is a lot of support there that I have seen over the years."

Although this is West's first year in California, he has spent decades close to the district. Working for the past 20 years in education for Jefferson City and Blair Oaks, he is familiar with neighboring schools. He also spent his last three years in education as a part of Battle High School in Columbia.

He explained operating as a teacher and as an assistant principal in smaller and larger environments prepared him for his new position in California. West shared the importance of working alongside his new community as well as building strong relationships with students and staff.

"That's something I'm going to focus on and I think that experience is going to serve me well in the position," West said. "I look forward to serving the community and the school district as the high school principal."