In December 2006, Mr. Darryl Kilbert was appointed Superintendent of the Orleans Parish Public School System.  As Chief Academic/Administrative Officer, Mr. Kilbert is responsible for the effective operations of the District for general administration of all instructional, business or other operations of the District; and for advising and making recommendations to the Board of Education with respect to such activities. Under his direction, the school district has received an unprecedented  four (4) consecutive annual unqualified financial audits, achieved an average ninety-five percent (95%) daily attendance, instituted model technology classrooms for throughout the district, reduced teacher pupil ratios, and reached over a ninety-five percent (95%) rate of eligible graduates for each year. Currently the Orleans Parish School Board ranks 1st in state cohort graduation rates (students graduating in 4 years) for 2 years in a row and has one of the highest District Performance School (DPS) in the state.

A native of New Orleans and a graduate of New Orleans Public Schools, Mr. Kilbert previously served in many capacities in the Orleans Parish School System    as Assistant Superintendent, Area Superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principal, Director of Transportation, Administrative Coordinator of the Community Resource/Truancy Center, Human Resource Assistant, School-Site Administrative Assistant, Teacher, Department Chairperson, School Business Manager, Coach (basketball, tennis, and track) and Band Director.

Mr. Kilbert earned a Masters Degree in Education Administration from the Ohio State University, and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dillard University in New Orleans.  Mr. Kilbert additionally received a Doctorate of Humane Letters form the Christian Bible College in New Orleans.

Superintendent Kilbert is a member of many professional organizations including the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, the Louisiana Superintendent Advisory Committee, the Louisianan Association of School Executives, and the American Association of School Administrators. He is also a Trustee for the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana representing the Louisiana Superintendents.

We asked Mr. Kilbert questions we thought Dillard alumn, students, and friends would want to know. Here are his responses:

1. What is most memorable about your experience as a Dillard Student?

At Dillard I received a first class well-rounded education. Classes were small enough where the professors not only knew you by name but also knew and understood what each person’s learning style and  growth needs were.  Textbook and theoretical instruction was provided where it could be put in realistic practices. Included in those memories are having met and conversed with former President Gerald Ford; meeting and interacting with the first Ms. Universe of color Janelle Commissiong, traveling to Honduras in a cultural exchange program with Mayor Moon Landrieu as a member of the Dillard University Jazz Band and being the Student Government President.

2. How has your experience at Dillard influenced your success?

As a graduate in Elementary Education, my experiences at Dillard more than prepared me for the opportunities post-graduation. Although I was offered a teaching position with the Orleans Parish School Board at the former E.D. White Elementary School (now Langston Hughes), I applied to and was accepted in many graduate programs throughout the country. I accepted a fellowship to the Ohio State University where I received a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. With extensive expectations required for the syllabus in the Education Administration Curriculum at the Ohio State University, I was more than prepared from my experiences at Dillard.

3. What would you like to leave as a legacy to others?

As an educator, the legacy I wish to leave is to always challenge each student to be the best that he or she can be; treat everyone how we would like to be treated; always give the best you have to offer; and know that there is a greater power we all have to answer to in the end.