Lake County Gazette

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Durand Community Unit School District 322 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 asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As a media outlet, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.

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.

Durand Community Unit School District 322 Principal Mr. Kurt Alberstett (2023) | Durand Community Unit School District 322

We await response from Durand Community Unit School District 322 regarding our FOIA request. We will continue to strive for transparency in our reporting on local governmental affairs.