Former Logan County Schools Superintendent Wilma Zigmond Dies at 80
Former Logan County Schools Superintendent Wilma Zigmond Dies at 80
LOGAN Wilma Jean Zigmond, a longtime Logan County educator and former superintendent of Logan County Schools, died Friday.
Zigmond spent 45 years serving Logan County Schools, building a career that included teaching, coaching, school administration and district leadership. She retired in 2013 after serving as superintendent since 2007.
A graduate of Logan High School, Zigmond earned her degree in physical education and speech from Marshall University in 1968 and a master's degree in education in 1972.
She began her career teaching physical education and coaching cheerleading at Logan Central Junior High before returning to Logan High School in 1976. During her time at Logan High, she taught physical education and speech and served as dean of students, yearbook adviser and cheerleading coach.
Zigmond later became principal of Logan Central Junior High, serving from 1984 to 1994. Under her leadership, the school became one of the first in West Virginia to be recognized as a School of Excellence in 1990.
In 1994, she became principal of Logan High School, where she served for five years. She also held several statewide education leadership positions, including deputy director of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission and president of the West Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals. She was named West Virginia Secondary Principal of the Year for 1996-97.
Before becoming superintendent, Zigmond served as Logan County's director of secondary curriculum and Title II programs for eight years.
Her service extended beyond the school system. Zigmond served on the Southern West Virginia Community College Board of Directors, the Governor's Commission on the Middle Grades and the West Virginia Boy Scout Chief Cornstalk State Council. She was also involved with the Logan County Charitable and Educational Foundation and chaired the Logan High School Hall of Fame, which inducted her in 2008.
In 2010, the Logan County Chamber of Commerce recognized Zigmond with its Distinguished Service Award.
Just recently, plans were announced to transform the Logan High School library into a modern learning center and dedicate it in her honor, recognizing her lasting contributions to education. (See the video and her surprise below.)
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 24, at First Presbyterian Church of Logan. Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., with the funeral service immediately following at 2 p.m. The Rev. Nick Koretski will officiate. Entombment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Logan County Charitable and Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 1367, Logan, WV 25601, or the Hungry Lambs Food Pantry, care of First Presbyterian Church, 622 Stratton Street, Logan, WV 25601.
Zigmond leaves behind a legacy of service to Logan County through her decades of work in education and community leadership.
PHOTO | Submitted
VIDEO | A.M. Stone - WVOW News
