Superintendent

Under Dr. Dillon’s leadership, Petal School District (PSD) has been named the number one school district in the state on multiple occasions, has claimed several state and national awards in arts and athletics, and is recognized annually as an “A Rated" school district by the Mississippi Department of Education. Graduation rates are at an all-time high and the district is consistently competitive on a national level with the NWEA testing assessment that measures growth and proficiency.

Other highlights during his tenure include the passing of a bond referendum in May of 2023 with an approval rating of more than 80 percent; the establishment of "Petal U" - a collaborative program with the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to grow the administrative pool of applicants for future leadership positions within the PSD; and a teacher residency program partnership with USM, where student teachers spend one full year in the PSD gaining experience while establishing a rapport within the district as part of Petal's recruitment and retention efforts.   

He also established a “one-to-one” initiative to provide Chromebooks for every student, increased Career and Technical Education opportunities such as the Utility Lineman program with Chain Electric, implemented Project SEARCH – a program focused on providing education and training to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and increased participation in arts and athletics. 

Dillon currently serves on the State Superintendent Advisory Council for the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and as chair of the Eastern States Consortium. He is a member of USM's School of Education Advisory Committee and has served as an adjunct professor in Educational Leadership since 2021. He also serves on the William Carey University School of Education Advisory Committee, where he was an adjunct from 2016-18. He is past president of the Mississippi Association of School Administrators (MASA) and past chair of the Gulf Coast Education Initiative Consortium (GCEIC).

Dr. Dillon received the Bobby Runnels Leadership Award for outstanding service to the Petal Community in January 2024. In 2021, he was named Mississippi Superintendent of the Year by the Mississippi Association of School Administrators (MASA). He was also recognized in 2019 as the Mississippi Haggar Hall of Fame Dad of the Year, appearing on the Steve Harvey Show in Los Angeles. In 2018, the Mississippi Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) presented him with the Outstanding Administrator award and in 2017, he was named Petal Person of the Year by the Petal News.

Before he was appointed superintendent, he served as assistant superintendent for the Tupelo Public School District and as principal in the Pearl Public School District. He began his educational career as a teacher, coach and assistant principal at the elementary, junior high and high school levels.

Dr. Dillon earned an associate of arts degree from Jones County Junior College, a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from The University of Southern Mississippi, as well as a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, both from The University of Mississippi.

Dillon and his wife, MaryAnn, have three children: Nate, Peyton and Anna Kate.

A video series where Petal School District Superintendent Dr. Matt Dillon pulls back the curtain and takes viewers behind the scenes of all things Petal. From academics and the arts to athletics and everything in between, Dr. Dillon dives deeper into what makes our district special—highlighting the people, programs, and purpose that drive success across every campus.

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