A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Murphysboro Community Unit School District 186 on January 28, 2025. The request was made by the Lake County Gazette, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. These terms are likely related to educational materials or programs used within the school district.
As members of the media, we at Lake County Gazette believe in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Access to these records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, and the state average Administrative Salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master’s degree or higher.
This data underscores our commitment at Lake County Gazette to provide thorough coverage of local education matters. By examining these documents provided through our FOIA request, we aim to shed light on how these figures translate into day-to-day operations within our schools and ultimately impact our students’ education.
