Charleston, W.Va. – Strong leadership and a reputation for nurturing a “can-do” attitude has landed long-time West Virginian educator Dwight Dials with the title of Mingo County Schools Superintendent. Dials will begin his duties on July 1, 2006.  

“Mingo County is gaining a superintendent with immeasurable talent,” said State Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine. “Dials has a solid record as a superintendent during which time he encouraged teamwork and produced high student achievement results.”  

Dials served as Raleigh County superintendent for more than a decade before entering retirement in 2000. Prior to his position in Raleigh County, Dials served as Morgan County Superintendent from 1981-89. Dials has also served as president of the West Virginia Association of School Administrators, Fayette County associate superintendent, vocational and curriculum director for Fayette County Schools, director of the Pleasants-Ritchie-Tyler County Vo-Tech Center, and as a teacher and vice-principal in Kanawha County Schools.  

Dials received a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia State College and a master’s degree from Marshall University. Dials has also completed 33 hours of course work at West Virginia College of Graduate Studies. He furthered his education at William and Mary, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Rutgers University.  

Over the years Dials has been a member and officer with Lion's Clubs, Rotary Clubs and Chamber of Commerce in Fayette, Morgan and Raleigh counties. He has served on the board of directors of the Raleigh County Sheltered Workshop, Boy Scout Buckskin Council, and the Pinecrest Development Corporation. Dials has also volunteered his time with the West Virginia Advisory Council for Professional Development, the West Virginia Advisory Council for the Governor's Honors Academy and the West Virginia University Visiting Committee.  

“Dwight’s successful work with committees, developing bond and levy calls, staff training and start-up services make him the ideal person to lead Mingo County Schools,” said Paine. “From site selection to scheduling of students, he has the background necessary to implement details of facility development.”  

Dials is a Williamson, West Virginia native. He and his wife Virginia are proud parents of four children and four grandchildren.