On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board. The request was made by us at the Lake County Gazette, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request sought information about the number of non-U.S. citizens, often referred to as "migrants" or "illegal aliens," currently enrolled in the school district. As a media organization, we believe access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In light of our role in disseminating information, we also expressed our belief that we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
This request comes amidst ongoing discussions about education funding and resources in Illinois. 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. Notably, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
The response from Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board will provide valuable insights into how many non-U.S. citizens are part of their educational community and contribute towards these averages and ratios. This data can help inform discussions around resource allocation and policy-making within the education sector in Illinois.
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