Lake County Gazette

On January 13, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Fremont School District 79 in Illinois. 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 sought information about the number of non-U.S. citizens, often referred to as "migrants" or "illegal aliens," currently enrolled in the school district. This data is crucial for understanding the demographics of our school districts and how they may be impacted by immigration policies.

As members of the media, we at Lake County Gazette believe that access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. We have requested a fee waiver for this information as part of our role in disseminating information to the public.

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.

This data provides valuable context when considering enrollment numbers and resource allocation within our schools. It underscores the importance of understanding who our students are and ensuring that all students have access to quality education.

We will continue to pursue this FOIA request and report back with any findings or updates.