On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Valley View Community Unit School District 365u. The request was made by the Lake County Gazette, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request seeks copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. The request is part of the Gazette’s ongoing efforts to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public.
As members of the media, we at Lake County Gazette are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to these records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio stands at 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.
We will continue our pursuit of transparency and accountability in local government affairs and keep our readers updated on any developments regarding this FOIA request.
