Leroy Gaines is a seasoned educator with over 20 years of experience dedicated to improving educational outcomes for students and supporting the adults who serve them. As the Elementary Network Superintendent for Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), he oversees 16 elementary schools, serving more than 5,200 students. Leroy’s leadership focuses on strategic collaboration and innovative approaches to achieve academic and operational excellence.

Previously, he served as Executive Director of New Leaders California, where he supported the development of transformative school leaders across the state. As principal of Acorn Woodland Elementary School, he led the school to achieve some of the district’s highest reading scores for second-language learners, earned the California Distinguished School distinction, and received the Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools Seal of Excellence Award.

Leroy holds a Doctor of Education degree from UC Davis, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College. He also teaches graduate courses at Loyola Marymount University’s Diversity in Leadership Institute and has received notable honors, including OUSD’s Principal of the Year and Bowdoin College’s Distinguished Educator Award.