Lake County Gazette

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Coulterville Unit School District 1. The request was made by us at the Lake County Gazette, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

Our request sought records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, specifically copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. These terms are often associated with educational programs and teaching methods used in schools.

As a media organization, 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 media professionals.

In relation to this, it's worth noting some statistics about education in Illinois. 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 is 141:1, indicating that for every one administrator there are approximately 141 students. Similarly, the average student-to-teacher ratio is significantly lower at 17:1. Furthermore, over half of teachers in Illinois have advanced their education beyond a bachelor's degree - specifically, 58% hold a master's degree or higher.

These statistics provide context for our FOIA request as they highlight key aspects of education administration and teacher qualifications within Illinois. We look forward to sharing more information once we receive a response from Coulterville Unit School District 1.