BARRINGTON AREA SCHOOL BOARD 220

Katey Baldassano is an experienced school leader with a demonstrated history of working in the education field.  She and her family have been residents of Barrington for the last 15 years where they own a small business and have children at three school levels (elementary, middle and high school).

Throughout her professional career, Katey has worked to support parents in their role as their child’s first, best and most important teacher.  She is eager to put her leadership, knowledge and passion for families to work in the District 220 community.  She believes that strong partnerships between families, schools and the community will ensure District 220 truly empowers personal excellence in every learner. 

After earning her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Illinois, Katey’s career path has taken her from her start as a classroom teacher in nearby Carpentersville, to supporting children in their homes and private education, back to teaching and finally to administration. Following completion of a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, she began working as the administrator of an early childhood program in West Chicago Illinois in 2014.  

Her experience in West Chicago led to expanding their Birth to 3 Program and receiving designations for quality, establishing a Parent Advisory for early childhood programs, and leading the development of an innovative early literacy program, she has also presented her experience at the State and National level.   Her professional areas of interest include early literacy, coaching and staff retention, professional learning teams and leading for school improvement.

She has a proven record of utilizing community data as well as parent and staff feedback to adapt and support families to meet their goals.  Her work is student-centered, family focused and responsive.   Katey is passionate about meeting families where they are and the idea that every family and every child can meet goals that are important to them. 

In addition to her professional work, she has been an active volunteer at Hough Street School in the classroom and PTO projects, Girl Scouts and her church.   She is an avid reader of non-fiction and life-long learner.   Katey is an ardent advocate for excellence in education, parental voice, transparency and accountability.  She looks forward to working collaboratively with staff and administration, Board of Education members and the entire community to bring a focus on excellence and unity to District 220.

Leonard Munson moved to the Barrington community in 2005 after retiring from the United States Air Force. He served as a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape instructor (SERE) for 20 years and retired as a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). After retiring he ran several small businesses. Including “LGM Consulting Inc” providing training and operational support to Government agencies in support of the “Global War on Terror” and “USA Mobile Drug and Alcohol Testing” provides policy development, employee education, and drug and alcohol testing program services to Chicagoland businesses. Leonard Currently works for “Nichols a Derse Company” as Director managing daily operations of the business unit.

He has always been an active member of the Barrington community. His main passion has been supporting youth through athletics from the local house programs to state travel programs for over 15 years in football, softball, baseball, and basketball. Served for several years as a Board Member of “Leaders Engage Against Drugs” (LEADs) and specifically directed a parent group for the local school program “Broncos Committed”.

He has worked directly with local businesses, officials, and school administrators in educating and keeping our local youth supported with programs, activities, and mentors at all grade levels keeping them away from drugs and alcohol. Serves as the secretary for the Jewel Park Homeowners Association keeping his smaller community beautiful, together, and informed.

Leonard earned his bachelor’s degree in Management Operations from DePaul University. He and his wife Robin have been married for 18 years raising a stepdaughter aged 24 a Barrington High School graduate and a son 15 years old currently a Barrington High School Sophomore. His selfless dedication to servicing the community is shown through his commitment to communicating honesty, integrity, and loyalty.

Matt Sheriff is a long-term Illinoian and new resident of Barrington. He and his wife chose Barrington after moving back from a short time in Texas primarily because of the amazing community as well as the reputation of excellence in the schools of D220. His daughter is a current student at North Barrington Elementary, Matt and his family have made a commitment to stay in the D220 system through her senior year of high school.

Matt has a passion for community involvement. Most recently he became a volunteer with the Lake County Sheriff’s auxiliary deputy unit serving the community. He considers providing support to the Sheriff’s department and the encompassing communities as a true privilege.

Professionally, Matt serves as the Chief Sales Officer for an international consumer goods brand. He has over 25 years of experience within the industry, helping build, buy and sell some of the most successful brands in the market today. Matt has served in many executive and c-level roles professionally. He believes his diverse business experience leading companies and negotiating contracts with multiple fortune 100 companies, will be an asset in helping D220 return to be a leader, not only in the state of Illinois but at a national level. He is focused on prioritizing excellence in education as well as athletics and extracurricular successes. Additionally, he will be focused on parental rights and being responsibly fiscal to the taxpayers of D220. This can be achieved when the school board and community work together to ensure our children are given the best opportunity to succeed at all levels.

One of the biggest goals he has is returning the school board to represent the concerns and values of our community all while ensuring that we are preparing our children for success while in the D220 community and beyond.