Humboldt County Office of Education: Michael Davies-Hughes, Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools

Meet Our Superintendent, Michael Davies-Hughes

Michael Davies-Hughes has been the Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools since his appointment in 2021 and subsequent election in 2022.  Michael brings a rich history and deep understanding of the various communities our schools serve. Michael has been serving Humboldt County schools since 2001. He has held positions as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Superintendent for the McKinleyville Union School District. Beginning in 2015, he served Eureka City Schools as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services until his appointment to the County Superintendent role.

Michael is an avid cyclist and uses his passion to bring awareness to causes that serve students. In June 2018, while racing in the Race Across America (RAAM), widely known as the toughest ultra-endurance event in the world, Michael raised over $30,000 for HCOE’s Early Literacy Partners Program. In 2021, he raised more than $15,000 for Hopecam, an organization whose mission is to overcome the social isolation experienced by children in treatment for cancer. Michael’s commitment to resilience and endurance in addition to collaborations with local organizations, businesses, and individuals have been keys to his success.

Michael has been married to his wife Tami, also a successful educator, for over twenty-five years. They are proud parents of three adult children, all of whom attended local public schools. Michael and Tami still lend their support and time volunteering to the local 4-H and FFA Chapters, recognizing the importance these organizations have in the lives of children. Michael is also a proud member of the Southwest Eureka Rotary Club.

About County Superintendents

The office of county superintendent of schools has existed in California for more than 150 years; but the programs and responsibilities of the office have evolved to meet the changing needs of the state and its 1,024 locally controlled school districts.

Today, the 58 county superintendents in California serve as intermediaries between the state and local school districts within each county. County superintendents and their staffs help with implementation of regional programs, provide fiscal oversight, monitor teacher credentialing, supply curriculum support and training, and help in other areas of interest to local districts and the state. A primary role of the county superintendent is to promote quality educational services to all students by providing leadership, support, assistance and coordination to each county’s public school system.

County superintendents of schools are state constitutional officers. The position was first established in the 1849 California Constitution as a duty of the county assessor. In 1852 the office of county superintendent of schools was created by statute, and in 1856 it was made elective as a position of county government. The new California Constitution of 1879 established the position of county superintendent of schools as a constitutional office (Article IX, ß3).

Today, county superintendents in 53 of the state’s 58 counties are elected. In four counties, however, the county superintendent is appointed by the county board of education (San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Santa Clara). In Los Angeles, the county superintendent of schools is appointed by the county board of supervisors. All county superintendents, whether elected or appointed, are required to hold a California Administrative Services Credential.