Darien, IL – During its special meeting on June 8, the District 86 Board of Education approved the appointment of Chris Biddix as the new director of equity and inclusion. Biddix will be replacing Dr. Patrice Payne, who accepted a position with another school district.

"I want to thank Dr. Patrice Payne for all that she has done on behalf of our district the past two years, and offer my best wishes for her continued success going forward,” said Dr. Chris Covino, assistant superintendent for academics and acting superintendent for District 86. “I also want to congratulate Chris Biddix on his appointment as the district’s new director of equity and inclusion. Chris is a highly skilled and experienced educator whose background and qualifications will be instrumental in advancing our equity statement and helping our students develop into knowledgeable, compassionate and engaged global citizens.”

Covino also shared that the title of the position has changed from director of instructional equity to director of equity and inclusion to more closely align it with the day-to-day responsibilities that have been associated with the role since it was created in 2021.

Biddix comes to District 86 following seven years at Pritzker College Prep, which is part of the Noble Network of Charter Schools in Chicago. While at Pritzker, he served as the assistant principal of academics and instruction, the manager of school culture and community engagement, and a grade level dean and math teacher who also provided ESL (English as a Second Language) support for students. Prior to that, he spent three years as a middle school instructional teacher at Crazy Horse School and Wounded Knee District School, which are located in South Dakota and operated by the Oglala Lakota Nation.

Biddix earned a bachelor’s degree in global studies and linguistics from Liberty University, a master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) from Grand Canyon University, and an education specialist degree in educational leadership and policy from Purdue University. He is also working toward a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from Purdue, and is scheduled to defend his thesis in August.

“I am truly honored to have been selected as the new director of equity and inclusion for District 86,” said Biddix. “I am also looking forward to partnering with our stakeholders to continue the important equity-based work that the district has undertaken in recent years, most notably in the areas of student support and staff development. It is through this work that I believe we can further establish and sustain an inclusive learning environment where all students feel welcome, safe and successful.”

Biddix received a one-year contract with a starting base salary of $112,000.