FOR D86 BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dear friends,
Growing up in Darien with my parents and two older sisters, I experienced firsthand the power of a District 86 education. As a graduate of Hinsdale South, I was given the tools to build a future I never imagined possible.
I was the first in my family born in the U.S. My father grew up without running water or electricity, yet his son (me!) went from District 86 to Harvard. That opportunity was made possible, in part, by the world-class public education I received here—and I want to ensure every student in our district has the same chance to succeed.
After earning my law degree from Columbia University, I worked across industries including real estate development, tax consulting, and tech startups. I’ve lived in cities across the country, but I chose to return to DuPage County, and specifically D86, because I want my children to grow up in a community with world-class public schools. My wife and I now live in Hinsdale with our three young children.
District 86 is special. Generations of strong leadership have built a community and school district recognized as among the best in America. But past success is no guarantee of future excellence.Horace Mann, the father of universal public education in the United States, once called education “the great equalizer of the conditions of men.” That belief shaped American education more than 150 years ago, and it is more true today than ever. Our schools must be the great equalizer for every student, no matter their background or circumstance.
As a member of the D86 School Board, my mission is clear:
✅ Preserve and strengthen the excellence of our schools
✅ Prioritize students and parents in decision-making
✅ Ensure every student—no matter their path—has the opportunity to succeed
✅ Hold the administration accountable to taxpayers
I’m running for school board because I believe District 86 is a gem of our community that must be protected, enhanced, and strengthened for future generations.
I’d be honored to earn your support.
Sincerely,
Baron Leacock
District 86 isn’t just one of the best school districts in Illinois—it’s among the best in the nation. Families move here from across the country because of the world-class education our schools provide. But we can’t take that for granted. Excellence requires vigilance, and we must work to strengthen what makes District 86 exceptional.
I know firsthand the power of a District 86 education. As a proud graduate of Hinsdale South, I was given opportunities that changed my life. As a member of the school board, I will ensure today’s students—and future generations—have the same advantages.
To stay at the top, we must continue to provide an unmatched educational experience through rigorous academics, cutting-edge innovation, and state-of-the-art technology. But recent declines in standardized test scores, literacy rates, and college & career readiness indicators are warning signs. Additionally, more and more families throughout the area, including in District 86, are opting for private schools. While our district remains a leader, we must confront these trends head-on.
Our goal must be to make District 86 the first choice for every family. That means identifying and addressing the root causes of academic decline, ensuring excellence across every metric for all students, and reaffirming our district’s reputation as the premier destination for education.
Excellence in education doesn’t have to come at an ever-growing cost to taxpayers. District 86’s success is built on great teachers and a supportive community—but in recent years, administrative costs have risen while direct student support and student performance metrics have declined. That’s unacceptable.
We must ensure that more dollars reach classrooms, not bureaucracy. As a school board member, I will push for smarter spending, greater accountability, and a commitment to fiscal responsibility.
Great schools don’t require bigger budgets. They require better priorities. My focus will be on making sure every dollar is invested where it matters most—supporting students, not expanding administrative overhead.
Students are the heart of our schools, and every decision must put their success first. But a great education doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it requires strong partnerships between parents, teachers, and the community. That’s why we must do more to engage families and ensure they have a real voice in shaping our schools.
Currently, opportunities for parents and taxpayers to engage with District 86 are limited. Current and former board members have promised increased community involvement through roundtables, community coffees, and listening sessions. But this has not been done, and that must change.
As a school board member, I will work with fellow board members and the administration to establish quarterly publicized roundtable discussions across the district to bring parents and community members into the decision-making process. This isn’t just a promise—it’s my commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
Parents and taxpayers fund our schools. They deserve to be heard. I will work to ensure that every family in District 86 feels valued, informed, and empowered to help shape the future of our schools.
District 86 is home to two exemplary high schools and our renowned Transition Center. We cultivate some of the top-performing students in the nation, consistently sending graduates to the most prestigious universities. But a great school district isn’t measured solely by Ivy League and Public Ivy admissions—it’s measured by its ability to serve every student and prepare them for success, whatever their path may be.
A four-year college degree isn’t the only path to opportunity. We must continue to provide and expand access to career readiness programs, strengthen vocational partnerships with College of DuPage, and ensure students with special needs have the resources to succeed.
Every student’s journey is unique, and our schools must meet them where they are. Whether a student is preparing for a two-year community college or a four-year university, entering the workforce, or pursuing specialized skills, District 86 must equip them with the tools to succeed.
Paid for by Friends of Baron Leacock. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s official website (www.elections.il.gov) or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.
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