Dr. Kermit Gilliard, Jr

Dr. Kermit Gilliard, Jr. is a native of Grady County. He is a 1985 graduate of Cairo High School, 1989 graduate of Valdosta State College with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education. Dr. Gilliard received his Master’s degree from Georgia State University in Special Education with a concentration in Severe and Profound Disabilities in 1992. He returned to Valdosta State University for his doctoral studies in Education Leadership and graduated in 2010.

Dr. Gilliard taught three years in Gwinnett County at North Gwinnett High School. He is beginning his 32nd year as a Public School Educator; and his 29th year with the with the Grady County School System; two years as a teacher, 12 years as Director of Special Education, three years as Eastside Elementary School principal, four years as Washington Middle School principal and two years as Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Leadership. In September of 2014, he was named Interim Principal of Cairo High School while maintaining his duties as Assistant Superintendent. On July 1, 2015, he became the Superintendent of the Grady County School System where he is completing his second three year contract this year.

He and his wife Cristie have two children, Anna, a Junior at Florida State University and Owen, a Senior at Cairo High School.